Buy/Sell a Home

The Answer BookDownload: The Answer Book

A collection of how-to’s, checklists, and worksheets to help you understand what to expect during the real estate purchasing or selling experience.

For BuyersFor Sellers
The Basics


7 Reasons to Own a Home
7 Reasons to Work with a REALTOR®
Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR®
Vocabulary: Agency & Agency Relationships
How to Prepare for House-Hunting
How to Prepare to Buy a Home
Worksheet: Track Your Budget
What to Know About Credit Scores
How to Improve Your Credit
The Tax Benefits of Owning
How to Prepare to Finance a Home
Vocabulary: Loans & Lending Terms
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Lender
Finance a Home, Creatively

The Property


Worksheet: Define Your Dream Home
Questions to Ask About the Neighborhood
Questions to Ask When Considering a Condo
Questions to Ask the Condo Board
Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
What to Know About the Home Inspection
What to Know About Home Hazards
Vocabulary: Green Home Terms
What to Know About the Appraisal Process
Questions to Ask About Property Tax

The Transaction


Worksheet: Service Provider Contacts
Checklist: Your Mortgage Application
Before Making a Short Sale Offer
Your Short Sale Purchase Team
How To Buy in a Tight Market
What to Know About Homeowners Insurance
How to Lower Homeowners Insurance Costs
What to Know About Title Insurance
Worksheet: Track Closing Costs
Vocabulary: Transaction Documents
Checklist: Your Final Walk-Through


The Move


Checklist: Prepare for Your Move
How to Pack Like a Pro
How to Move with Pets
Checklist: For the New Owners
The Basics


7 Reasons to Work with a REALTOR®
Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR®
Vocabulary: Agency & Agency Relationships
Questions to Ask When Considering Selling
Worksheet: Calculate Capital Gains

The Property


Before Putting Your Home up for Sale
How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale
How to Hire a Remodeling Contractor
How to Add Curb Appeal
How to Clean When Your Home is For Sale
How to Prepare for the Photo Shoot
How to Attract More Buyers
Checklist: For a Better Home Showing
Use Feng Shui Concepts in Staging
What to Know About the Appraisal Process

The Transaction


How to Prepare for a Short Sale
How to Navigate a Short Sale
How to Improve the Odds of an Offer
How to Recognize a Qualified Buyer
Worksheet: Track Closing Costs
Vocabulary: Transaction Documents

The Move


Checklist: Prepare for Your Move
How to Pack Like a Pro
How to Move with Pets
Checklist: For the New Owners