Preparing to Sell

When choosing an real estate agent to list your house, make sure to thoroughly interview them and ask how they plan to market and sell your home.

Real estate attorneys may charge an hourly rate or a flat fee depending on the complexity of your sale.

You can sell your home and live in it by using a sale-leaseback or home-reversion agreement or working with a company that buys the house and rents it to you.

You can transfer a house to a family member tax-free by gifting partial interest, splitting the gift amongst recipients, or gifting to a charity.

You can cancel your listing agreement under certain circumstances such as when they do a bad job, but if it's late in the selling process it may be difficult.

Blockbusting or panic selling is a discriminatory practice encouraging people to sell their homes below market value due to changing neighborhood demographics.

You need to be a licensed agent to access the MLS but there are ways to list your home on it without hiring a full service Realtor.

You may see names like Coldwell Banker and Century 21 commonly pop up, but the biggest real estate companies typically don't do residential real estate.

There are a few ways to save on real estate fees, like using low-commission and flat-fee services, but the best way is to negotiate with the Realtor.

Houwzer is a discount real estate brokerage operating on the East Coast that helps home sellers and buyers save money when listing and buying homes.

Agents frequently use lockboxes when representing a home because it allows them to show a home to prospective buyers without needing the homeowner to be there.

Crown molding can slightly boost your home value but its impact is small compared to other renovations and design choices.

You can sell your house in foreclosure or pre-closure to get out of debt and repay your mortgage but there are other options, too.

You can stage any area of a home, including the bathroom, on your own, or hire a professional stager. Bathroom staging costs vary but you can do it for cheap.

An extra bedroom typically adds to your home's value, but it depends on its square footage and usefulness, too.

While you can stage and show your house while living in it, it's not ideal. You'll need to balance your comfort and way of living with staging requirements.

Generally, a midrange or luxury bathroom will net an ROI of up to 55%, it will depend on the size and extent of the renovation.

Tenant's rights laws when a landlord sells property can vary by location and whether a tenant has a lease, but first and foremost is a right to receive notice.

A real estate agent helps you buy or sell a home. They can conduct market research, generate or negotiate offers on your behalf, and view properties for you.

An iBuyer, or “instant buyer,” is a company that uses technology, like artificial intelligence and machine learning, to buy and sell houses fast.

HOA transfer fees cover administrative costs related to transferring ownership of the home and are typically paid by a seller, but it depends.

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when trying to sell your home. Here's why real estate listing photography is so crucial.

You can potentially save thousands of dollars listing your home with a low-commission real estate agent, but there are some drawbacks to be aware of.

Limited-service listings and agents don’t offer the full services of a traditional agent but are useful if you want more control over selling your home.

To write an effective creative listing description, highlight unique features, use descriptive language, and keep it skimmable.

Not all landscaping ideas are created equal. Stick to these 12 tips to ensure your home improvement project gives you the most ROI and enjoyment.

Hiring a contractor is like buying a house — it takes some time and research. Here's how to find and hire the best contractor for your needs.

The current real estate commission rate in 2023 for New York is 4.97% for listing agents.

If you're considering skipping home staging, think again. Here are eight statistics that might change your mind.

Is listing your home on Zillow really free? Learn about the costs for premium features like sponsored listings and enhanced visibility to attract more buyers.

Looking for Offerpad reviews? Read our in-depth analysis of Offerpad's home buying process, including their fees, customer service, and overall value.

A Zestimate is an estimated market value for a property, but how accurate are Zillow's estimates? We break down what impacts Zestimate accuracy and more.

Here are seven statistics to know about people who sell their home without a realtor (FSBO).

The average Realtor commission in Georgia is 5.76%, slightly higher than the current national average of 5.37%.

Learn how to sell your house fast with these top 16 expert-backed tips from real estate industry insiders.

Net proceeds are the net amount a seller takes away after selling a house. It takes some calculating to figure out what you'll get, so here are a few examples.

Learn the eight steps to completely declutter your home, useful if you just want to simplify your life or right before selling your home.

The main reasons to sell your house and rent in retirement are less maintenance, more independence, and potential savings on housing costs.

The best paint colors to sell a house are warm neutrals. Here are some other suggestions from real estate experts and tips for choosing the perfect color.

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.

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.

We spoke to our in-house industry experts to make sense of the housing market, predict where it’s headed, and compile a list of tips for navigating 2023.

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 5.49% for listing agents nationwide.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Sales of million-dollar homes and newly minted million-dollar homes are increasing in today's hottest markets.

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.

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, 2024 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.

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 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.

At Orchard, we take our commitment to make home selling simple seriously, so we created this timeline of tips to help make the lead-up to your home sale easier.

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.

Your list price will impact your net proceeds from your home sale. Here's how to choose the right list price when selling your home.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

This guide provides an overview of what documents you need to sell your house, whether you're selling FSBO or just want to get a jump collecting the paperwork.

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.

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.

The tax implications of selling a house can come as a shock if you're not prepared. Understand what you're on the hook for this tax season if you sold in 2023.

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? 

From loans falling through to surprises at the final walkthrough, both buyers and sellers should be aware of potential problems that may arise on closing day.

Use our home inspection checklist to get ahead of inspectors, diagnose issues, and solve them before they interfere with your potential home sale.