Land contracts can be an excellent alternative to a traditional mortgage, both for the buyer and seller. The seller assumes the role of the lender and gets regular payments from the buyer while still holding the property title. There are many advantages both for buyer and seller; but from the seller's perspective, land contracts also come with some...

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay All home sellers understand that there are some costs to selling a home, but not everyone realizes what they're expected to pay for (and how much the total will be). We'll look at the most common expenses and how they might affect your budget. Real Estate Agent Fees This is probably the...

Photo by Light And Dark Studio via Shutterstock In a seller’s market, comparable sales and competition can drive up a home’s price. This is especially true in a seller’s market where offers from multiple buyers try to outbid each other. And, while this sounds like a fantastic deal for the seller, a low appraisal can kill the deal....

Photo by Gerd Altmann via PixabayOnce you sign a purchase agreement, whether you are the buyer or seller, it is very difficult to back out of it. However, as a buyer, you are able to back out if your real estate agent drafts the contract properly. Real estate agents use a standard contract. That does not mean that...

Photo by AVANTECTURE on Unsplash Buying a luxury home is about more than just finding the right mortgage. Whether you are buying or selling, you should know that there are some key differences in the way that high end luxury homes are sold. Discovering the differences in the way that the luxury home market operates can ensure that...

Image by Andrey Popov from Shutterstock The term "fair market value" is the price at which an interested but not desperate buyer is willing to buy and a motivated but not distressed seller is willing to sell on the open market in your location. The set value depends on recently sold similar-sized homes with like amenities, upgrades, and...

Photo by Mohamed Hassan via PixabayBuying and selling real estate is a complicated process that takes time. Because you are making a life decision and dealing with strangers, you should always have a valid purchase contract. Real estate agents use a standard contract, but the buyer and/or seller may make changes to that contract. In making changes, be...

Photo by John Wollwerth via Shutterstock No matter how well-intentioned, when it’s time to sell your home taking the advice of friends and family while disregarding the advice of your agent is a recipe for slowing down your home’s sale. Your professional agent knows the current market and what buyers look for. In fact, they may even have...