Buying &amp; Selling

Move-In Day Walkthrough: A Room-by-Room Checklist for Landlords

A documented move-in walkthrough with photos and a signed condition form is your strongest evidence if a deposit dispute lands in small claims court.

Who Pays Closing Costs: Buyer or Seller? 2025 Breakdown

Sellers typically pay 6-10% of the sale price in closing costs, while buyers pay 2-5%, but negotiation can shift either side's share.

Rental Closing Costs: Deductible vs Added to Basis (2025)

The IRS splits rental closing costs into two buckets — a handful you deduct this year, and most of the rest you add to your property's cost basis instead.

What to Fix vs Disclose Before Selling Your Home (2025)

Sellers must disclose known defects in writing in nearly every state, but only some repairs are worth paying for before you list.

What to Clean Before You Move Into a New House (Room by Room)

A move-in deep clean before furniture arrives takes most people 4-8 hours and covers seven zones the previous owner's cleaner usually skips.

Pre-Listing Home Inspection: Worth the Cost Before You Sell?

A pre-listing inspection runs $300-$600 and can prevent the buyer's inspection from blowing up your deal weeks after you've already moved.

Inspection Report Came Back Ugly? A Seller's Repair Guide

A 12-page inspection report doesn't mean your sale is dead — most buyers use it to negotiate price or credits, not to walk away.

The Home Sale Contingency: Buying and Selling at Once

A home sale contingency lets a buyer back out of a purchase if their current house doesn't sell, usually within 30 to 90 days.

The Appraisal Came in Low: 5 Options for Buyers and Sellers

A low appraisal means the lender won't loan more than the appraised value, leaving buyers and sellers with five ways to close the gap.

Should You Sell Your Home As-Is? Honest 2025 Guide

Selling as-is usually means a 5-15% lower price, but it can save weeks of repair time and thousands in upfront cash you don't have.

Selling Your Home in Under Two Years — Do You Still Get an Exclusion?

The IRS lets some sellers who own a home under two years still claim a partial capital gains exclusion if the sale ties to job, health, or unforeseen events.

Rent-Back Agreements: Stay in Your Home After Closing

A rent-back agreement lets you sell your home and pay the new owner rent to stay 1-60 days past closing, but it needs a written contract, not a handshake.