Real Estate Resources

Homeownership is as much a lifestyle choice as it is an investment, and you have to make a lot of choices to be happy with both. From working with a real estate agent to navigating ongoing home maintenance, take time to understand the fundamentals of managing, buying, and selling real estate.

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All Selling Your Home
Image shows three clusters of buildings, the first is suburban homes and trees, the second is skyscrapers and office buildings, and the third is a factory. next to the factory is just empty land. Text reads: "what is real estate? real estate is defined as the property, land, buildings, and air rights above land, and underground rights below the land. Residential, commercial, industrial, and vacant land."
What Is Real Estate?
Parents and three young children placing a sold sign in front of their home
What Is a Grantor?
Family with real estate agent outside house
Best Real Estate Apps of 2021
Image shows two people toe to toe. Text reads: "Real estate broker vs. real estate agent. real estate broker: can work independently; can hire real estate salespeople; generally has more training; can work as a real estate agent. Real estate agents: cannot work independently; must work for an employing broker; cannot work as a real estate broker"
Types of Real Estate Agents Compared to Real Estate Brokers
A woman looks through documents as part of a title search
What Is a Title Search?
Tips for creating a welcoming open-house atmosphere: Don’t expect prospective buyer to remove shoes Set out a food spread with a thank-you note Leave the house Make sure the property is neat and clutter-free Don’t hurry the prospective buyer
Helpful Tips for Showing Your Home
Protesters call for the elimination of rent requirements.
What Is a Squatter?
Modular home development. Prefab house. Fairborn, Dayton, Ohio
The Differences Between Modular Homes and Manufactured Homes
median vs. average in real estate: median and average
Median vs. Average: What's the Difference?
How accurate is zillow for suburban home listings
How Accurate Are Zillow Home Values?
How to Time Your Home Listing: Generally, it’s best to list as early as possible on a Friday Prime time for real estate agents to post on Multiple Listing Service is 12:01 am on a Friday On Mondays, people tend to think more about the upcoming work week than buying a home (Mondays are also when federal holidays occur) Weekend-working agents usually take Thursdays off The best time of month to post is the second week (after you’ve made your mortgage payment) Spring is usually considered the best time to list a home
The Best Time to Sell a House
Female real estate agent handing house keys to a young couple
What Is a Promissory Note?
a businesswoman and a couple shaking hands in a living room
A List of Rules for Home Buyers Working With Real Estate Agents
Image shows a large brick wall in front of a small yellow house blocking a white hetero couple. Title reads: "Common problems that can delay or prevent home closing." Text on the wall reads: "Low appraisal; additionally debt found on buyer's updated credit report; mistakes noted in buyer's credit port; new liens or judgements filed against the buyer or seller upon title update; marital status change for buyer or seller; required updated bank statements or financial documents; missing insurance information"
How Long Does the Home-Closing Process Take?
An older woman supervises a child washing produce in a sink in a tidy kitchen.
What Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?
Tips for navigating a FSBO without an agent.
For Sale by Owner: What Is Involved In Buying a Home Without an Agent?
Sold Sign on House With Family in the Background
Types of Contract Contingencies for Homebuyers
Relator Showing House to Young Family
What Is an Encumbrance?
These Are the Best Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent
Couple with real estate agent signing contract in kitchen of new apartment
What Is Tenancy in Common?
Couple asking for loan
What Are Seller and Buyer Prorations?
Senior couple planning their investments with financial advisor
Best Online Notary Services of 2021
how much do real estate agents earn? Real estate agents’ earnings vary from $25,000 or less to more than $1 million annually. - Salaries are usually based on commission. Annual earnings depend on the amount of homes sold and the market in which the agent is selling. - The median pay was roughly $49,000 in 2020. Top producers earn more than the average agent, starting at $112,610 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Do Top Real Estate Agents Make Per Year?
Image shows a bird-eye-view of a few homes on a property. Text reads: "Calculating the average price per square foot. Property A: $200,000/1,000 sq. ft. = $200 per sq. ft. Property B: $180,000/1,200 sq. ft. = $150 per sq. ft. Property C: $585,000/2,100 sq. ft. = $278 per sq. ft. // $628 per sq. ft. / 3 = $209 per sq. ft. "
How To Use Price Per Square Foot To Figure Home Values
Black couple viewing a home for sale
What Is Redlining?
Image shows three panels: a notary stamping a document; a woman walking with a backpack full of envelopes; and the third shows a home that's been sold. Text reads: "Typical notary fees: standard: $2-$20 per signature; mobile notaries may charge for travel; mortgage closings: $100+"
How Much Will It Cost To Get a Document Notarized?
Couple embracing in new home, realtor in background
An Explanation of What a Grantee Is in Real Estate
10 Steps to Prepare for a Home Inspection
Happy couple in new home laying on a group of couch cushions among moving boxes.
Why the Possession Date for Homebuyers Causes Such Controversy
A man and woman hug each other in front of the new home they have just purchased.
7 Ways HOA Dues Affect Your Finances
Man opening door to house with key lockbox on handle
Lockboxes Are Used By Agents to Access a Home
Young family standing by a white fence
Learn How Easements and Rights-of-Way Work
Man handing keys over to a smiling couple
What Is a Quitclaim Deed?
Couple shaking hands with a businessman
What Is a Deed of Trust?
Image shows a small A-frame yellow house with a garden and trees beside it. There is also an open house sign. Text reads: "Preparing a property for an open house: remove all vehicles from driveway; open window coverings and turn on lamps; serve refreshments; do not use air freshener; play soft music; showcase photos of the property during other times of the year"
How to Hold a Successful Open House
Closeup of a man's hands signing a contract with a fountain pen
Why Homebuyers Can Walk Away from a Signed Contract
Couple signing a real estate contract with their agent
What Is an Alienation Clause in Real Estate?
Family savings
How an Escalation Clause Can Harm a Home Seller
Mature couple writes letter at table in restaurant
Writing a Hardship Letter That Grants Relief
Civil engineer working with total station on a building's property site location
Understand the Legal Description of a Property
young family touring a home they wish to buy
What Is Lis Pendens?
Surveyors Measuring Land in Rural Scene
Do You Need a Land Survey (And How Much Does It Cost)?
Mother and daughter gardening outside home
How to Tell If the Recession is Over
A for-sale sign is seen on a home
Why Is It So Important to Have a 'For Sale' Sign in the Yard?
A modern kitchen
How to Buy a Model Home from a Builder
A home shopper shakes hands with a real estate agent during an open house.
Open House Etiquette for Home Buyers
Female Realtor Shaking Hands With Couple Interested In Buying House
Here Is a Quick Guide to Home Buyer Broker Agreements and Contracts
Couple negotiating a deal with a lender over a desktop with calculator
10 Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Broker or Lender
A house with foreclosure for sale sign in the front yard
Why a Foreclosed Home Sells for Less Than What You Offered the Bank
Hand holding a magnifying glass up to a model home representing home inspection
What Factors Figure Into the Cost of a Home Inspection?
A couple drinks coffee on back porch on sunny day
Real Estate Taxes vs. Property Taxes
A young couple is moving into their new home.
Buying a Home When Prices Are Falling Requires Strategy
An older patio home with a porch out front
Patio Homes: Just Right for Empty Nesters and First-Time Buyers Alike
Man digging next to house to check sewer line
Why Smart Buyers Request a Sewer Inspection Before Buying Older Homes
Image shows when the best time to buy a house is including Best Time For Options: May, June, and July Best For A Good Deal: Winter Best Day: December 26th Mondays Best Weeks: Week beginning September 22nd Week of October 27th
In the Market for a New House? Here’s the Best Time to Buy a Home
Street view shows a row of nearly identical houses, each with porches and stairs landing on the walk in front.
What Is a Zero-Lot-Line House?
Exterior view of home for sale
Average Days on Market: Buyers Care How Long a Home Has Been for Sale
Negotiate a counteroffer to get the home of your dreams
How to Deal with Counteroffer When Buying or Selling a Home
Couple signing documents for financial advisor
Know This Before You Sign a Buyer-Broker Agreement
Multi-colored apartment units
How Can a Comparative Market Analysis Help Sell My Home?