Whether you are a buyer or seller, here are consumer guides provided by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to explain the recent settlement outcomes in a federal lawsuit impacting real estate practices. These guides will help explain changes to the process that may impact your transaction. Check out the overview for home buyers and the overview for home sellers. Visit facts.realtor for updated information.
Consumer Guide to Written Buyer AgreementsWhen searching for a home, you will be asked to sign a written buyer agreement after you’ve chosen the real estate professional you want to work with.
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Consumer Guide to Open Houses and Written Agreements
Real estate professionals nationwide will require a written agreement prior to touring a home. But what if you are just attending an open house?
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REALTORS’® Duty to Put Client Interests Above Their Own
NAR's Code of Ethics means that a REALTOR
® cannot provide representation in a way that puts their own interests ahead of their clients' interests.
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Consumer Guide: What Veterans Need to Know about Buying a Home
REALTORS
® are committed to helping ensure the unique needs of veterans and active servicemembers are met following new real estate practice changes.
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Consumer Guide: Offers of Compensation
Here's what to know about a seller or agent offering to compensate another agent for bringing a buyer to successfully close the transaction.
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Consumer Guide to Negotiating Written Buyer Agreements
Here's what to know about negotiating an agreement for services and compensation with an agent who is a REALTOR
®.
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Consumer Guide: Listing Agreements
One of the first things you'll do when selling your home is negotiate and sign a listing agreement with your agent.
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Consumer Guide: 10 Questions to Ask a Buyer's Agent
If you’re ready to buy a home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the best fit for your needs.
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Consumer Guide: 10 Questions to Ask a Seller's Agent
If you’re ready to sell your home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the best fit for your needs.
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Consumer Guide: Seller Concessions
Home sellers may choose to offer concessions to attract buyers or close a deal. Find out if this approach is right for you.
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Consumer Guide: Multiple Listing Service
When buying or selling a home, your agent may use an MLS to find homes for sale or market your property. Here's what you need to know.
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Consumer Guide: Fair Housing
Consumers and agents all have rights and responsibilities to promote a home buying or selling process free from discrimination.
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Consumer Guide: Buying Your First Home
You’re ready to find your first home. Find out where to begin and what resources are available to you as you embark on your homeownership journey.
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Consumer Guide: Mortgages and Financing
An agent who is a REALTOR
® can help you learn about options for finding a loan that will help you pay for your new home over time.
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Consumer Guide: Steps Between Signing and Closing
Once you sign a purchase agreement on your new home, there are still several steps to complete before you can finalize—or “close”—the transaction.
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Consumer Guide: Agency and Non-Agency Relationships
When buying or selling a home, agency and non-agency relationships with real estate professionals vary by state law and offer different options.
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Consumer Guide: The Appraisal Process
If you are financing your home purchase, you will likely be required to get a home appraisal as one of the steps between signing and close.
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Consumer Guide: Home Inspections
Between signing and close, a homebuyer may choose to have a new home inspected to make sure it is in good condition and safe for a new owner. Here's what you should know.
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Consumer Guide: Homeowners Insurance
Understanding homeowners insurance is essential when looking to purchase a home. Look at policies early and connect with a licensed insurance agent.
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Consumer Guide: Flood Insurance
A licensed insurance agent can advise you on purchasing the right flood insurance to protect your assets. Here's what you need to know.
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Consumer Guide: Fire Damage and Policy Coverage
Most homeowners insurance policies cover fire damage, but some insurers may limit coverage.
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Consumer Guide: Preparing to Sell Your Home
Here are common considerations as you prepare your home for listing and viewing by potential buyers.
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Consumer Guide: What Goes into Pricing Your Home
An important question to ask your agent is how to determine your home's listing (asking) price.
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Consumer Guide: Escrow and Earnest Money
Between signing and closing, homebuyers typically deposit money into an escrow account.
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Consumer Guide: Preparing for Homeownership
Whether you are a first-time buyer or planning your next move, you should consider many factors as you prepare for the home purchase process.
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Consumer Guide: Property Taxes
Wherever you buy a home in the U.S., property taxes are a reality of homeownership. An agent who is a
REALTOR® can connect you with a local tax expert.
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Consumer Guide: Seller Disclosures
When selling a home, sellers must disclose certain characteristics of the property to potential buyers. A REALTOR® can help with what you need to disclose.
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