Selling a Home
Getting a home ready to sell takes plenty of work—of both the physical and the paper variety—and you’re bound to have plenty of questions. We’ve found Web sites with reliable answers and guidance to help you smoothly and quickly through the process, and even offer advice if you fear losing your home to foreclosure.
Expand All Guide SectionsSteps to Selling a Home
Selling your home is a busy time (and on top of it all, you’re also planning a move). But ... read more »
Should I Sell My Home?
It can be hard to tell whether now is a good time to sell your home or if you should wait for ... read more »
Sell Your Home Yourself or Hire a Realtor?
Selling a home isn’t easy and it involves a lot of paperwork no matter how you go about it. ... read more »
Financial and Legal Aspects of Selling a Home
Selling a home requires a lot of paperwork and will likely have important tax consequences as well. Make sure you understand all details of this busy time and what’s required of you as the seller by using the Web sites we’ve included in this section.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Beware of paid versus natural search results when you look for legal information on the Internet. Particularly in the legal field, paid search results (which typically appear above and/or to the side of natural search results, and are usually noted as “sponsored” or “partners”) will likely have more advertising gimmicks than legitimate material. Consumer Reports WebWatch offers these tips on improving the chances that the results you find will be credible.
- If you have questions or are uncertain during any point in the process of selling your home, consult with an attorney or a real estate agent to ensure things progress correctly. To find an attorney who handles real estate matters, check the FindLaw Web site. Make sure you also look at the information under the “Real Estate” tab.
- Generally, the responsibility of having a home inspected falls to the home buyer. However, learning beforehand what an inspector will look for can help you fix any problems that could delay your sale. We’ve included some home inspection sites in this section of the guide.
- If you need to speak with your state’s land title association during a home sale, use the American Land Title Association page to find links to state affiliate Web sites.
Dulcinea's Picks
For information about real estate lawyers …
FindLaw
explains why a real estate lawyer may be necessary when buying or selling a house and what a lawyer can do to help you.
Nolo
offers tips on where to find a real estate lawyer. Also get advice on how to find the best lawyer once you decide where you want to look.
For home inspection and title information …
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
contains a section for homebuyers and sellers to use when they are searching for a home inspector. Follow a virtual home inspection to get an idea of what a home inspector will check for, learn what requirements inspectors must meet to be licensed in individual states, and search for an ASHI home inspector in your area.
Home Inspections USA
is a directory of home inspection companies in the United States. Click on your state to find inspection companies where you live. Also find informative home inspection articles for home buyers and sellers.
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company
explains the seller’s financial responsibilities in a home sale (for example, termite inspection and preparation fees for deeds). Learn what to expect in terms of paperwork and events that need to take place (such as inspections and the opening of an escrow account).
For contract and closing information …
The American Bar Association
discusses purchase contracts and other legal aspects related to an agreement to purchase a home using a simple question-and-answer format.
U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.
, sells packages of necessary paperwork for real estate home sales in all 50 states. Purchase a package that is available for download online for $39.95, or order a paper copy for $49.95. Other real estate forms are available here as well (pricing varies depending on the form you wish to buy). This site was founded by lawyers and is maintained by lawyers and other professionals.
For tax information …
The Internal Revenue Service
has a lengthy list of tax tips you should follow once you’ve sold your home. Learn about capital gains and losses and other financial consequences of home sales. If you use this site at the beginning of a new year, be aware that the IRS may be planning to update the tips to comply with new tax rules.
TurboTax
explains how selling a home may or may not affect your tax situation in this helpful article.
Show Your Home
One of your best bets to selling your home quickly is to clean up as much as possible and complete ... read more »
If Your Home Isn’t Selling
Despite your best efforts, your home might not sell quickly, and it may be due to matters within or ... read more »
When You Are Facing Foreclosure
For those whose financial circumstances may necessitate the quick sale of their home, it’s ... read more »
Real Estate News and Blogs
Following news and developments in the real estate market helps build your knowledge as you prepare ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
