Preparing to Sell

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

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.

‍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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

You can sell your house at any time after buying it, but it's best to wait a few years until you break even and don't have to pay unnecessary penalties.

Certain factors — like unique renovations, outdated appliances, and even location — can hurt your home appraisal, and thus the value of your house.

If you need to sell a home in poor condition for whatever reason, how can you make the process easier?

When preparing to sell your house, there are a number of things you can do to ensure it sells quickly and without issues. This list of tips will help.

Orchard consultations are a great way to determine if working with us is right for you. Learn what is covered in this 40-minute, no-obligation session.

With List with Orchard, you can sell your home for top dollar without the typical stress or uncertainty. Learn more about how our service works.

Home sales can be stressful at times, but these tips can help ensure a smooth experience for you and your family.

Find information and answers to common questions on how to buy or sell a home during the coronavirus.

If you were hoping to buy or sell a home this year, you might be second-guessing things now. Here's why this could still be a good time to buy or sell a house.

Wondering exactly what an open house in real estate is? This post walks buyers and sellers through everything they need to know to make the most of open houses.

A traditional home sale can be pretty stressful, but it doesn't have to be. This checklist for selling a home will help you prepare for the journey ahead.

Thinking about selling your house? This seller's home maintenance checklist will help you ensure that your home is in tip-top shape once it's time to sell.

Here are five tips you need to know when selling your house as-is.

The best time of the year to sell a house is typically in May, but it can also depend on your local housing market and your selling goals.

It took an average of 56 days to sell a house in 2022, but exactly how long a home stays on the market varies by location.

When it comes to real estate, timing is everything. If you’re looking to sell your house fast in Dallas, Texas, here are some things to watch out for.

As long as you’re in good standing with your lender, selling a house with a mortgage is standard practice.