The August 2024 NAR settlement changed how buyer's agent compensation is handled, and it has prompted a lot of homeowners to reconsider whether they need a listing agent at all when selling a home without an agent. The idea of selling a home without an agent is gaining traction. That's a fair question. Here's an honest answer. What Actually Changed After the NAR Settlement Before August 2024,...

How to Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time Most sellers are also buyers. And the question I hear more than almost any other is: how do I avoid being temporarily homeless between my sale and my new home's closing? Many people wonder how to effectively sell and buy a home at the same time without facing issues in the transition. It's important to consider various options available to manage both...

Seller disclosure in Massachusetts and New Hampshire is crucial as it addresses many anxiety-producing parts of the selling process. You know about the water that came in the basement three years ago, the addition that was never permitted, and the oil tank that was removed a decade back. Do you have to tell buyers about seller disclosure in Massachusetts and New Hampshire? Here's the framework — and...

When an offer comes in, the instinct is to focus on the number at the top. But the highest offer isn't always the best offer — and understanding why can save you significant money and stress. When you receive an offer on your home — or better yet, multiple offers — the instinct is to focus on the number at the top of the page. But learning how to compare home offers properly means looking beyond...

If you haven't sold a home in several years — or ever — the process can feel like a black box. Here's a clear walkthrough of the steps to selling a house, in order, from the moment you decide to sell until the money hits your account. Phase 1: Pre-Listing Preparation (4–8 Weeks Before Going Live) Understanding the Steps to Selling a House This is where most of the work happens, and most...

Most homeowners assume they'll owe a large tax bill when they sell for a profit. The reality: the majority of primary residence sellers in Southern NH and Northern MA owe zero federal capital gains tax home sale. Here's why — and when that changes. Note: this is educational information, not tax advice. Your specific situation should be reviewed with a CPA. The Rule That Protects Most Sellers: IRS...

This is the question I hear most often from homeowners who are thinking about selling but not sure if the timing is right: should I sell my house now? The honest answer: it depends far more on your personal situation than on what the market is doing. Many people ask themselves, should I sell my house now or wait for a better opportunity? Here's the framework I walk sellers through. The Spring...

Your sale price is not your payday. The number that matters is what you net after every cost is paid — and for most sellers, that gap is larger than expected. Understanding your seller net proceeds will help clarify what you actually walk away with. Knowing your seller net proceeds is crucial to making informed decisions about your sale. Here's how to calculate it, line by line. The Big Picture:...

One of the first questions every homeowner asks when thinking about selling is: how much is my house worth? It seems simple, but the answer you get depends heavily on where you look — and the differences can be significant.Here's what you need to know about reading those numbers correctly. Why Online Estimates Are a Starting Point, Not a Price Zillow's Zestimate, Redfin's estimate, and similar...

As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, many people are asking where the real estate market is headed. A look at recent data points to a softening market compared to this time last year. While prices remain elevated, active inventory has climbed. So, is this the start of a market correction or just a temporary pause? More Listings, Higher Inventory One of the biggest changes this quarter is the...