Selling Made Simple

Seller credits can be used for almost any type of repair. They come directly from the seller’s pocket or can be tacked on to the final cost of the home.

Here’s your essential change of address checklist to help make your transition to a new home much easier.

Washington’s average real estate commission in 2022 was 5.30%, just under the national average of 5.37%. It’s likely to be similar, or slightly higher, in 2023.

In Oregon, the average Realtor commission in 2022 was 4.99%, and it's expected to rise in 2023.

‍If your mortgage contains a due-on-sale clause, you may be required to repay the loan in full when you sell the property or transfer ownership of it.

Certain fees that you pay as part of closing costs are tax deductible (like mortgage points and mortgage insurance), but you can't deduct everything.

Orchard's digital tools, guaranteed cash offer, and move first service give its customers a considerable edge over traditional real estate offerings.

Flyhomes reviews cite the company's convenience but homebuyers lament the higher costs and lack of a dedicated real estate agent. Here's what you need to know.

Home improvements are only tax deductible if they count as medical expenses, help with energy efficiency, or are repairs made to a home office or rental home.

This company is helping people buy and sell a house at the same time, but Knock.com reviews reveal its often at a higher price than traditional real estate.

Learn the five types of flooring which can increase your home's value in 2023, and by how much.

Curb appeal is the visual attractiveness of a house as seen from the street. Learn how to increase curb appeal for your house with these examples.

The current average real estate commission rate in Texas is 5.59% for listing agents.

The current real estate commission rate is 5.37% for listing agents nationwide.

The average real estate commission rate in Colorado is 5.52% for listing agents.

The best ways to pack for moving include scheduling your movers ahead of time, purchasing the right moving supplies, and even leaving certain items out.

Redfin agents handle up to three times as many transactions as a traditional agent, which can mean less attention and less personalized service when selling.

A sale-leaseback is a mutually beneficial transaction where a homeowner sells their house, but leases it from the new owner and continues to live there.

A gift of equity is when the home seller gives a discount by lowering the sale price, thus passing their equity to the homebuyer.

Transfer taxes are imposed by the state or local government when real estate changes hands, including a home sale, but it's not charged everywhere.

Users have offered many HomeLight reviews, which we use to examine HomeLight as a service.

Homeowners who need to sell fast may choose the convenience and speed of using Opendoor’s instant offer, but they pay a price for doing so.

Real estate comps are comparable home sales and they're used to figure out a home's market value. You can run comps on your own, but it's best to ask an agent.

A CMA in real estate is an exercise that determines the market value of a home based on similar homes that have sold recently.

MLS stands for multiple listing service. This database provides information about real estate properties for sale and only licensed agents have access.

When a mortgage-holder dies, no one is required to take on the loan unless there is a co-borrower or cosigner.

While you don’t have to buy your Realtor a gift, getting them something is great way to show your appreciation. Closing gifts don't need to be pricey, either.

Automatic valuations are becoming more popular for people who want to know the value of their home without going through the official appraisal process.

An appraised value is a professional valuation of your home’s worth, while the market value is what buyers will pay for it.

Knowing how to find out how much a house sold for can be a challenge. There are several methods, but the most reliable way is to ask your real estate agent.

Companies that buy houses for cash are a good solution if you need to sell fast, but there are better options if you want to make top dollar on your home sale.

In a net listing agreement, the real estate agent is only paid if they sell the home for more than the amount dictated by the seller.

Homeowners looking to save money on their sale may choose to sell their house on Craigslist, but this option comes with drawbacks. Here's what you need to know.

A seller net sheet is a document that estimates the total amount of fees and expenses related to selling your home, and how much you'll make from the sale.

Legally, a transaction broker has to act as a neutral party — unlike a real estate agent who represents the buyer or seller and their best interests.

A fixture is physical property that’s affixed to the home. If the item isn’t movable, or if you need tools of some kind to detach it, it's probably a fixture.

Selling and buying a house at the same time requires aligning closing dates, which can be difficult, but there are a few ways to make it work.

A listing agreement is a document sets out the terms for your relationship with the real estate agent selling your house.

An open listing agreement is a legally binding contract between a seller and a listing agent or broker that is non-exclusive.

From tax implications to financing hoops to the family strife and drama, selling a house to a relative may not be the best decision for you as a home seller.

Instead of rejecting a bid, sellers can suggest new terms in a counter offer. If they do, the purchase price isn’t the only their only bargaining chip.

When you sell an inherited house you might realize a big financial gain, but there are multiple financial considerations to take before selling.

If you're not getting any offers or showing your house that often, then it may be a sign to reduce the price of your home.

Unless your mortgage loan agreement explicitly states otherwise, there is no reason you cannot sell your home while it’s in forbearance.

The market has never been more confusing, but for home sellers who are ready to move, 2023 will remain a good time to sell a house.

A rent-back agreement gives sellers extra time to live in a home after closing by paying rent to the new buyer. It can get complicated for both sides.

Real estate agents are licensed to help you buy, sell, and rent properties, but brokers have additional licenses to work independently or hire other agents.

You can sell your house without a realtor and save on agent fees, but you'll pay in other ways. Here's what you need to know about selling without a realtor.

While a for sale sign is no longer likely to be a seller’s primary marketing tactic, there are some benefits (and a couple of drawbacks) associated with them.

The time it takes to get your money after selling your home depends on a few factors, the most important being whether yours is a "wet" or "dry" funding state.

The good news is there are a lot of ways to cut costs and save money during the home selling process. The less good news is it’s not an exact science.

Selling your home for a dollar or some other ridiculously low price to family isn't quite the loophole you might think it is. The main reason: gift taxes.

There are a number of factors that can influence your list, including the market in your area, the condition of your home, and even your own sentimentality.

If you sell your house as-is, don't plan on getting top dollar. Still, this is a good option for homeowners who don't have the time or money to fix their house.

Investors are cold calling homeowners to buy their houses. Many of these offers are legitimate, but they probably won’t get you top dollar for your home.

Reverse mortgages let you borrow against your property to receive cash upfront, allowing you to meet living expenses without making a monthly mortgage payment.

Selling a home with tenants is doable, but it can be logistically and emotionally taxing. Learn your options for how to proceed with consideration and care.

You can sell a home for more than the appraised value — but it’s not ideal because it can cause financial problems for the buyer.

You can avoid paying capital gains tax on a portion of the proceeds from your home sale if you, and your house, meet the IRS requirements.

You aren’t required to accept the first offer, or any offer, you receive. But there may be financial repercussions, especially if there is only one offer.

While you should do what you can to make your home appealing to buyers, there are some efforts that just don’t get you the most bang for your buck.

If you need to sell your home in winter, there are ways to get around the roadblocks that home sellers and their real estate agents worry about.

In a hot market, you can be patient and wait for the right offer to come along. Here, we'll cover the benefits of taking a cash offer over a financed one.

If you’ve made it to closing day, there’s a good chance your real estate deal will go through. However, during the pending and offer periods, things can awry.

Most offers from home investors will less than market value and you'll likely lose some money, but there are some reasons you might want to sell to them.

In order to officially sell a home, all owners need to be in agreement about the sale. If you can’t come to an agreement, you do have some legal options.

If your home's buyer requests a new closing date, stay calm and ask your real estate agent to walk you through the best options, including a per diem penalty.

Even if you don’t have the time or resources for major home improvements, you can at least try to avoid doing things that bring down property value.

Always check for and get required permits. Failure to do so could result in stopped or stalled renovations, or later complicate or cancel a home sale.

Need some ideas to help your live or pre-recorded virtual open house shine? The last thing you want to do is just hit the record button and wing it.

It’s understandable if you feel anxious about addressing your bad neighbors with potential buyers. Unfortunately, this isn’t a conversation you can avoid.

Most of the time, adding a room or expanding a bathroom, kitchen, or living space is a good investment, but there’s a lot to consider before taking action.

what documents are required to sell your home? Do you need to have them ready before you list your home, or can you gather them when the time comes?

Homeowners ready to sell may have mold on their minds, especially if they fear it will make it harder for them to close the deal.

In theory, sellers should love an escalation clause, as it may drive up the offer price for their home. But there are still some things to consider.

When mold is stinking up your home or you've had pets or visiting smokers leaving a scent, learn how to get things cleaned up and smelling fresh.

Many homeowners forgo permitting because it sounds like a pain. Still, homes with unpermitted work are a liability, especially when you’re preparing to sell.

There are a few tax implications when selling your house, the biggest of which is capital gains.

It’s not a secret that popcorn ceilings are no longer in style, but you shouldn’t write them off so quickly.

Explore the logistical, legal, and financial considerations of selling a piece of property and learn the steps you need to take to do it successfully.

If you’re in the middle of the home sale process, and suddenly you change your mind, what do you do? Is it even possible to stop the process? 

So you’ve sold your house and are ready to move on with your life. But does the buyer just sign the documents and immediately walk into your home?

What can you do if you have lots of viewings but no offers? How long should you expect your house to stay on the market?

Knowing the most common deal breakers and best practices for making an inspection easier can give you a leg up in the process.

Who you hire to sell your house is crucially important — which is why you need to know what to ask a prospective real estate agent before you get started.

From small finishing touches to major additions, there are many ways to improve your home and make it more valuable.

It’s not uncommon to negotiate the sale of select, or all, furniture during closing. Let’s take a look at this process and how to negotiate furniture prices.

Though most real estate agents work on commission, the exact percentage they earn depends on location, split, and other factors.

You've sold your home, and suddenly, you're getting cold feet. When is it too late to back out of the contract? And what are your options for doing so legally?

Once you sell your old house, it's time to move into your new one. When that's not possible yet, you'll have to find temporary housing.

Breaking down the pros and cons of living in, and selling, a home near power lines. How close is too close, for your health and home value?

Painting a room in your house takes some time, but it can do wonders for home value.

Is your house not selling? Are you not getting offers accepted? If you’re worried about your real estate agent, look for these red flags.

You typically don't have to be at the closing of your home sale, even if the closing isn't "remote." There are some other things you'll need to do, however.

Once you know what a square foot looks like, you can figure out how many square feet are in your home, from the basement on up.

Home staging costs a few thousand dollars, but can cost much more depending on what's involved. However, the cost is often worth it.

Though it's rare, in some situations, buyers are allowed to back out after the final walkthrough. Here's how to avoid that.

Technically, repairs aren't “mandatory” after a home inspection but they may be necessary for the seller, especially when not fixing them means losing the sale.

If you're going through a divorce and need to sell your house, it can be best to do it before the divorce to avoid capital gains tax.

Selling a house can be better than renting if you can realize a profit and don't want to deal with the responsibilities of being a landlord.