Can I Sell Contingent on Finding a Replacement Home?Can I Sell Contingent on Finding a Replacement Home? Repeat homebuyers face an inevitable dilemma. Should they sell their current home before they buy a new one? Or should they buy before they sell? For some homeowners the answer is obvious. They can't afford to buy until their existing home is sold. The only way they can buy first is if...
Can I Sell Contingent Upon Finding a Replacement Home?Can I Sell Contingent Upon Finding a Replacement Home? Sellers don't like offers that are contingent upon the sale of the buyers' home. Buyers don't like to make offers on homes that are contingent upon the sellers finding a replacement home. The reason these contingencies aren't popular is that they involve a high degree of uncertainty....
Do I Owe Capital Gains Tax If I Sell Within Two Years?Do I Owe Capital Gains Tax If I Sell Within Two Years? The Taxpayer Relief act of 1997 drastically changed the tax laws concerning capital gains on personal residences. Previously, taxpayers who sold their primary residence could defer tax on their gain if they bought another home within 2 years of selling. But the price of the new home...
Do Open Houses Work?Do Open Houses Work? What are the odds that you'll find your dream at a Sunday open house? What is the likelihood that your home will sell at an open house? Open houses are an integral part of the home sale business. But, do they work? There are two types of open houses. One is for real estate agents. The purpose of the broker's open house...
Does Staging Work?Does Staging Work? Staging can involve minimal effort on the part of a seller. Merely rearranging furniture can show a house off to advantage. For some sellers, however, staging a home for sale is a major production. It might include hiring a fix-up-for-sale decorator and renting a house full of furniture, complete with house plants and...
Gimmicks to Attract Attention Fool Few Agents and BuyersGimmicks to Attract Attention Fool Few Agents and Buyers It's no fun to have your home on the market, particularly if it's not selling. Some sellers get so fed up with the process that they remove their listing from the market temporarily. Is this an effective marketing strategy? In most cases, the answer is no. If you're truly motivated.