Consumer FAQs

What is real estate equity? Real estate equity is the difference between what you owe on your home and what your home is worth. The advantage to increasing your home's equity is that you will be able to sell your property for a profit when you are ready. 

Being a homeowner and maintaining your home is an important responsibility. To prevent expensive repairs and unexpected costs, it is important to keep up with your home's needs. How well your home is maintained will also have an impact on the value of your home. 

In most cases, homeowners insurance is mandatory - but even on the rare exception that it's not, it is still a good idea to have it. Here are some common questions to better help you understand what homeowners insurance is, what it covers, why you need it, and where to find it. 

The process for buying a home may seem complex and cause you to jump over numerous hurdles, but the rewards that come from being a homeowner make the hassles worth the journey. Check out the top 7 reasons you should consider becoming a homeowner. 

Buying your first home is an exciting time, but it can be an intimidating process. Our tips will help you get prepared and started on your journey to homeownership.

You are almost to the finish line! You've accepted the buyer’s offer, the negotiations are finished, and there is only one more little box to check: closing. 

Determining your home's value is the first step to listing your home. There are tools that help you find your home's value, so you can list it for the best price.

Ready to sell your home? Here are some tips for hiring and working with a Realtor®.

While most homebuyers check out the layout of the rooms and the name brands on the kitchen appliances when touring a house, educated buyers know what’s really important to look for when buying a home. 

Here’s what to REALLY look for when buying a house.

Ready to make an offer, but not sure how it works? Let us walk you through the process.

If you want to buy a house, unless you can pay in cash, you will need a mortgage loan to finance your home purchase. Here is how to obtain a mortgage, step-by-step.

Most buyers are aware of the obvious costs of buying a home: a down payment and a mortgage. But, what about the unexpected costs? There are, in fact, several costs both upfront and ongoing that buyers should anticipate. It is important to consider all of the costs before purchasing your home.

Every person should have the opportunity to create a home that reflects who they are and what is important to them, regardless of race, national origin, color, sex or gender, disability, religion, or familial status.

Are you wondering how much house can you afford? Knowing you want to buy a home is one thing; knowing how much of a mortgage payment you can handle is another. Too often, what buyers want and what they can afford don't match up.  Let us help you determine how much your wallet can handle.

You want to buy a home, but you aren't sure when is the best time to make a life-changing purchase? When is the best time? Does it even exist? Here are some factors that can help you decide when is the right time to buy.

For many people, buying a home is a huge life event and financial milestone. But how should you determine whether to keep renting or take the plunge and purchase a house? Let’s compare renting versus buying and find out which is right for you.

Packing up and moving out of your home and into a new one can be stressful. There is a lot to remember and the "to do" list can seem never-ending. Making a checklist can help the process go smoother.

The hardest parts of finding a home are over: You have found your home, negotiated a deal, and secured a mortgage—and you’re now on your way to homeownership. Just one more critical task is left: the home closing. Also known as “settlement” or “escrow,” this is a day when all involved parties meet to make the transaction official.

It’s possible you may be faced with multiple competing offers to purchase your property. Your REALTOR® can explain various negotiating strategies for you to consider. If you have questions about the possibility of multiple offers and the way they can be dealt with, ask your REALTOR® to explain your options and alternatives.

Setting your home's list price can be tricky – pricing too high means it could take longer to sell and pricing too low means a potential loss of extra money. Here are some tips for finding the best number.

Preparing your home for showings and open houses can be overwhelming – here is a checklist to get your house ready!

Buying a home while selling your current home can be a challenge, but not impossible. It is important to understand the process and choose which timeline works best for you.

REALTORS® are experts in the communities in which they live and work. Finding your dream home starts with you, a REALTOR® guided by a Code of Ethics and the doors we open together. Not all agents are REALTORS®. Members of the National Association of REALTORS® subscribe to a Code of Ethics that sets a higher standard for honesty and fairness in housing. 

Thinking about selling? According to the National Association of Realtors®, homeowners tend to stay in a house for about ten years before they sell. There are many common reasons—financial and emotional—that lead us to sell our current home or wait for a more suitable time.

You have decided to sell your house, so when is the best time to list it? Timing can make a big difference in terms of selling your home quickly and for the highest profit.  Here is what you should consider before putting your house on the market.