Home size is one of the key figures used in comparisons. But you may have different measurements to choose from, as you will learn in this video,including builder, appraiser, tax records and possibly owner records. Which one is right, and which one is best? The official figure is the one in tax records - typically, the county. Any other figure must be documentedby a builders floor plan, an appraisalor an official floor plan, prepared by a company for a fee. If your house has been remodeled and you are planning to sell you may want to confirm that the official record matches youractual house - and update if required. Most lenders will require an appraisalwhich will verify the figures you used.So be accurateand keep recordsto make the most of your sale.

While this video simplifies things to help you remember: your aim is to get the best price AND terms in your market during the period you are selling. Market conditions interest rates and competition all matter. The price you want, and the price a buyer will pay are framed by those complex conditions So pricing isnt completely predictable. Other factors include: How your home compares to other homes for the same buyers The inventory of homes and the level of buyer demand Your needs also affect negotiations - for example, if you must sell quickly - but the final price will be determined by the market not by your needs. Buyers look at the same comparables and market conditions and they want to pay as little as possible while meeting their needs. Remember that the price isnt the entire deal - repairs, closing, points, appliances and other factors can all change the value you finally receive. Listen to your broker, stay informed, be patient if you can and make your best reasonable, unemotional decisions.

The best answer is get help from a real estate professional. But...if you only have a few minutes for a video, ere are five points to consider. 1. Start With Measurement Learn the average per-square-foot price for recent sales in your neighborhood. That will not set your final price, but it is a baseline buyers will use. 2. Get Comparisons Ask for Comparative Market Analysis - comps - from several agents. Go through each comp with each agent to understand both competitive homes on the market AND each agents potential approach to yours. 3. Market Research. Do your own! - not just online, but in person. That will help you understand your market conditions and the buyers perspective realistically. Markets get hot and cold, up and down, and yours defines the sales envelope for your home. 4. Consider All Terms Price isnt all there is to a sale. Can you close faster? Finance or lease-option the sale yourself? Cover some closing costs? Your flexibility can make sales leverage. 5. It is Not Personal. The hardest tip of all. Most people are emotional about their home. Pricing, in the long run, is going to logical. Theyre buying your house,not your home & memories. Find a real estate professional you like and trustand let them help you through the process.

This video tells you what any real estate professional would tell you. Ask them: How long do homes in my neighborhood currently stay on the market? How would you price my home? What data did you use to arrive at that price? How would you market my home? What activities would you expect of me to market my home? How will you handle representation if one of your buyers is interested in my home? May I speak with sellers youve recently represented? How long a period would you want on a listing agreement for my house? It is best to ask these questions, and be comfortable with your choices before signing a listing agreement.

Like the video shows, it is a good idea to compare several. And ask these questions. What is your experience in my community and neighborhood? What type of representation do you offer? Different states have different types. Some brokers represent buyers, some represent sellers some act as neutral parties between both. and in some states, different people at a single firm can handle each side in a transaction. And of course, what are your terms and fees? Get the key facts in writing to help you compare your options. Then make the best choice for your situation.

The video puts this in more visual terms, but basically, a seller can respond to a buyers offer with changes - a counter - that improves the terms. You need to put yourself in their shoes and construct a modified offer that you think they might take that meets more of your needs. Then it is their turn - accept, reject, or construct yet another counter. It is an efficient market process, but beware: clauses and costs matter. Your broker should be closely involved in constructing a counter. Successful bargaining is best done with a win/win approach where each side is meeting their biggest needs and compromising others to reach an agreement. Remember that outside conditions like interest rates, and supply and demand, will keep evolving so you will need to be patient but decisive to craft an counter-offer that works for both sides.

As you will see in this video, discharge conditions can affect a veterans eligibility for a VA loan. Veterans separated with a dishonorable discharge may not be eligible. If your discharge state is other than honorable or was changed, modified or corrected you may be able to pursue an appeal with the help of the local VA office. Be sure to have copies of your DD214 - Condition of Discharge form and any documentation clarifying conditions or changes in your discharge status. Lenders may not be familiar with the process so getting assistance from the VA is advised.

As the video says, the name is misleading - theyre not loans FROM the VA. The VA - short for US Department of Veterans Affairs - is the Federal military veteran benefit system. The VA administers benefits and services for Servicemembers, Veterans their dependents and survivors. Programs related to home loans are one of their key services. The VA is not a bank; they do not provide home loans themselves. But they do guarantee a portion of home loans provided to veterans and other eligible people by banks and mortgage companies. These guarantees enable lenders to provide more favorable terms. They are are commonly called VA Loans. They cover buying, building, repairing, retaining and adapting homes for personal occupancy by eligible Veterans and survivors.