How to Home

When you are looking to buy or sell a home, you may hear about different types of relationships— agency and non-agency—that exist between buyers and sellers and the real estate professionals they are working with. These relationships are defined by state law and the options available to you vary widely between states, but here are the basics of what to think about.

Once you sign a purchase agreement on your new home, there are still several steps to complete before you can finalize—or “close”—the transaction. While the process differs in each state, here are the basics of what you can expect during the period between signing and closing.

Buying a home is one of the largest personal and financial decisions you can make. For many buyers, the process includes finding a loan that will help you pay for your new home over time. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help you learn about your options. Here’s what else you need to know.

So, you’re ready to find your first home. But where do you begin? And what resources are available to help you? Here’s what you need to know as you embark on your homeownership journey.

These tips and steps in buying an owner-occupied multifamily home could speed up your entry into first-time home ownership.

When buying or selling a home, your real estate professional may use a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to find homes for sale or market your property. Here is what you need to know.

Buying or selling a home is more than a transaction—it’s fundamental to your long-term goals and financial future. Consumers and agents all have rights and responsibilities to promote a home buying or selling process free from discrimination. Here’s what you need to know.

You may have heard that staging your home properly can make a big difference when you sell your house, but what exactly is home staging, and is it really worth your time and effort?

As a home seller, you have choices when deciding how to market your property, including whether you’d like to offer concessions to attract buyers or close a deal. Here’s what you need to know as you consider whether this approach is right for you.

If you’re ready to sell your home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the best fit for your needs. Here are ten questions you should consider when selecting an agent.

If you’re ready to buy a home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the best fit for your needs. Here are ten questions you should consider when selecting an agent.

You’ve decided it’s time to buy a home and want to work with an agent to guide you through the process. The next step is to interview agents and negotiate a written agreement that includes the services the agent will provide and the compensation they will receive. Here’s what you need to know about negotiating an agreement with an agent who is a REALTOR®.

The National Association of REALTORS® is proud to support those who serve our country on their journey to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. Veterans and active servicemembers often have unique needs when looking for a home, and agents who are REALTORS® are committed to helping ensure those needs continue to be met following the real estate practice changes that went into effect on August 17, 2024. Here is what you need to know.

A REALTOR® is a special kind of real estate agent: one who follows NAR’s strict Code of Ethics, including the first and primary pledge to protect and promote the interests of their clients. This obligation means that a REALTOR® cannot make decisions or provide representation in a way that puts their own interests or commissions ahead of their clients’ interests.

As of August 17, 2024, many real estate professionals nationwide will be asking buyers to enter into a written agreement prior to touring a home. But what if you are just attending an open house? Here’s what you should know.

Whether you're selling and staging your home, planning a decor refresh, or daydreaming about how you will decorate your new place, 2025’s home trends offer a perfect mix of nostalgia, sustainability, and bold aesthetics. Here’s a look at the most exciting trends shaping interiors right now.

If you want to sell your house, having the right strategies and expectations is key. But that means adjusting to where the market is today. If you are not factoring in that there are more homes for sale or that buyers are being more selective with their budgets, it may cost you. Here’s a quick rundown of the 3 most common missteps sellers are making, and how partnering with an expert agent can help you avoid every single one of them.

Between signing and close, a homebuyer may choose to have a new home inspected to make sure it is in good condition and safe for a new owner. Here’s what buyers and sellers should know.

One of the steps between signing and closing on a home is when homebuyers typically deposit money into an escrow account. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help advise you on your offer and how to keep your deposits safe. When it comes to escrow, here’s what homebuyers should know.

In 1986, the typical first-time homebuyer was 29 years old and comprised 44% of total home sales. What does first-time homeownership look like today? Check out our infographic with a few first-time homebuyer facts to find out.