{"id":369452,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/selling-your-home.html"},"modified":"2024-11-04T14:16:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T19:16:06","slug":"selling-your-home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home.html","title":{"rendered":"Selling Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <div\n    data-testid=\"fl-general-title\"\n    class=\"fl-general-title fl-flex fl-gap20 fl-items-end\"\n>\n    <div class=\"fl-general-title-heading fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n        <h1\n            class=\"fl-h1 fl-general-title-title fl-no-spacing\"\n            data-testid=\"fl-general-title-title\"\n        >\n            Selling Your Home\n        <\/h1>\n        <p\n            class=\"fl-general-title-description fl-text-xl fl-no-margin\"\n            data-testid=\"fl-general-title-description\"\n        >\n            Homeowners can sell their home to prospective buyers by following a legal process.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/eric-harvey-j-d\/\">Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/aisha-success-esq\/\">Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            November 04, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>There are various ways you can go about selling your home. No matter your process, you will have a purchase agreement at the end. This document is a legally binding real estate contract. The contract will govern the entire legal and financial process of selling your home.<\/p>\r\n\n<div\n    class=\"fl-category-overview\"\n    data-testid=\"fl-category-overview\"\n>\n    <div\n        class=\"fl-accordion fl-category-overview-container\"\n        id=\"category-overview\"\n        data-testid=\"fl-accordion\"\n    >\n                    <div\n               class=\"fl-accordion-item fl-category-overview-item\"\n               id=\"section-1-category-overview\"\n               aria-labelledby=\"button-1-category-overview\"\n               data-testid=\"fl-accordion-item\"\n            >\n                <h2\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-header fl-flex fl-items-center fl-justify-between fl-no-margin\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-header\"\n                >\n                    <button\n                        id=\"button-1-category-overview\"\n                        aria-label=\"Category 1 content\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"section-1-category-overview\"\n                        class=\"fl-accordion-button fl-flex fl-flex-auto fl-justify-between\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                    >\n                        Home Selling Legal Basics\n                        <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <i\n                                class=\"fa fa-angle-down small\"\n                                aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                            ><\/i>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/h2>\n                <div\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    id=\"content-1-category-overview\"\n                >\n                    <ul class=\"fl-no-margin fl-list\">\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/sell-a-home-faqs.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Sell a Home FAQs<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/buying-and-selling-a-house-at-the-same-time.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Buying and Selling a House at the Same Time<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div\n               class=\"fl-accordion-item fl-category-overview-item\"\n               id=\"section-2-category-overview\"\n               aria-labelledby=\"button-2-category-overview\"\n               data-testid=\"fl-accordion-item\"\n            >\n                <h2\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-header fl-flex fl-items-center fl-justify-between fl-no-margin\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-header\"\n                >\n                    <button\n                        id=\"button-2-category-overview\"\n                        aria-label=\"Category 1 content\"\n                        aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                        aria-controls=\"section-2-category-overview\"\n                        class=\"fl-accordion-button fl-flex fl-flex-auto fl-justify-between\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                    >\n                        Home Selling Process\n                        <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <i\n                                class=\"fa fa-angle-down small\"\n                                aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                            ><\/i>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/h2>\n                <div\n                    class=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    data-testid=\"fl-accordion-content\"\n                    id=\"content-2-category-overview\"\n                >\n                    <ul class=\"fl-no-margin fl-list\">\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/how-to-sell-your-home.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>How To Sell Your Home<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/preparing-your-house-for-sale.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Preparing Your House for Sale<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-control-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-container\">\n                                <i\n                                    class=\"fa fa-angle-right small\"\n                                    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                                ><\/i>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-list-control-text\">\n                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/required-real-estate-disclosures-when-selling-property.html\" class=\"fl-list-item-link\">\n                                    <span>Required Real Estate Disclosures When Selling Property<\/span>\n                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Researching Your Local Market<\/h2>\r\n<p>You could have the nicest house in the neighborhood, but&nbsp;you might still have trouble selling it. A home that has been improved in many ways can still lose value because of:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Trends in local or national markets<\/li>\r\n<li>Decrease in value of surrounding homes<\/li>\r\n<li>An uptick in crime<\/li>\r\n<li>New development that changes the character of the area<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>On the other hand, your ability to sell a home improves when:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The economy is strong<\/li>\r\n<li>Unemployment rates are low<\/li>\r\n<li>Interest rates are low<\/li>\r\n<li>The supply of houses for sale is low and demand is high<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The time of year that you list your home for sale also matters. Most people tend to move during the spring to late summer. They do not tend to move during the dead of winter.<\/p>\r\n<p>One of the best ways to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/buying-a-home\/evaluating-a-home-checklist.html\">determine your home&#8217;s value<\/a>&nbsp;is to look at what comparable homes are selling for in your area. These are often referred to as &quot;comps.&quot; A realtor can give you examples of&nbsp;comps&nbsp;in your area.<\/p>\r\n<p>Looking at a house online is not as good as looking at a comparable house in person. It may have the same square footage and number of bedrooms, but for other reasons&nbsp;it might be worth more or less than your home.<\/p>\r\n<p>Visiting open houses in your area will give you a better sense of what&#8217;s available. It will also give you a better sense of what people are looking for when they buy a home.<\/p>\r\n<p>Pay attention to things like:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Landscaping<\/li>\r\n<li>Light fixtures<\/li>\r\n<li>Color choices<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>That said, keep in mind that what really matters is the price other homes actually sell for. It&#8217;s not what the seller is asking that is most important. Also, note how long it took to sell. An overpriced home could sit on the market much longer. If you need a fast sale, that may influence your asking price.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Ways To Sell Your Home<\/h2>\r\n<p>If you plan on buying a new home after selling your existing home, you will want to do similar market research in any new neighborhoods where you are looking. You should consider factors like square footage and the availability of storage space. Take note of any needed upgrades to match your preferences. It&#8217;s essential to have sufficient storage space and keep closets organized. Some other important selling tips include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Be sure to declutter and deep clean your home to make a great first impression.<\/li>\r\n<li>Consider investing in some home staging to maximize your home&#8217;s appeal.<\/li>\r\n<li>Think about renovations that could increase your home&#8217;s value.<\/li>\r\n<li>Make sure faucets and other hardware are in good condition.<\/li>\r\n<li>Update any outdated fixtures, including countertops.<\/li>\r\n<li>Make sure the living room has an inviting appearance.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Put yourself in the shoes of prospective buyers. Think about how they would likely want to see a space where living could be easy, calm, or fun. Explore this section of FindLaw for more tips on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/how-to-sell-your-home.html\">how to sell your home<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Do You Need a Real Estate Agent?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Even if your state doesn&#8217;t require you to hire a real estate agent or real estate attorney before selling your home, it&#8217;s often a good idea to do so. A real estate agent can make the process go much more smoothly. Keep in mind, however, that you will pay for that service. It&#8217;s important to remember to make sure you also have enough money for other expenses that may pop up.<\/p>\r\n<p>Selling a home is time-consuming. It can be complicated, even with the help of an experienced agent. With professional help, sellers are often able to get a better price. After all, the real estate agent&#8217;s commission depends on the selling price, so&nbsp;they have an incentive to get you the best deal possible. That rate is usually five&nbsp;to six&nbsp;percent of the sale price.<\/p>\r\n<p>A real estate agent can help you prioritize home improvement projects. This will allow you to get the biggest return on your investment. If they regularly work in your area, your listing agent may even know companies in your area that can help you finish nagging projects. These can be the kinds of projects that have gone uncompleted for years. Their knowledge of the housing market is invaluable.<\/p>\r\n<p>Your agent can also:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Show your home while you&#8217;re at work<\/li>\r\n<li>Help you negotiate offers<\/li>\r\n<li>Assist with all the necessary paperwork, including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/preparing-your-house-for-sale.html\">required disclosures<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you decide to go it alone, there are resources that can help you. Make sure you have plenty of spare time. It&#8217;s important to have at least some experience in finance and knowledge of real estate law. Consider renting a storage unit to temporarily store personal items and family photos to depersonalize the space.<\/p>\r\n<p>You may choose to handle the marketing and negotiations yourself. In this case, you might only then work with a real estate attorney to ensure all the legal paperwork is done properly. You need to be sure that all of these are handled properly for the closing.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>It&#8217;s essential to understand your legal responsibility in a home sale. Your responsibility includes being ready to be transparent with your listing and conversations. At the heart of a sale is a contract. You shouldn&#8217;t make any assumptions about what&#8217;s in the contract without reading it carefully.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Getting Your Home Ready To Sell<\/h2>\r\n<p>Even if you think your home is ready to hit the market, you should have it professionally inspected. This will allow you to avoid surprises when a prospective homebuyer&#8217;s inspector comes through prior to closing. It&#8217;s always a good idea to do everything you can to prevent an unexpected and unwanted finding during the pre-closing home inspection. You can prevent such problems by having a home inspection earlier on in the process of selling your home.<\/p>\r\n<p>Your inspector will identify things you&#8217;ll want to do to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/preparing-your-house-for-sale.html\">prepare your house for sale<\/a>. If bigger problems are uncovered, you can then decide if you want to invest in making the repairs or if you want to sell at a reduced price. Examples of such problems are plumbing&nbsp;or roofing issues.<\/p>\r\n<p>Not everything needs to be fixed or improved as long as any deficiencies are clearly communicated to potential buyers. Being upfront about problems allows you to avoid the potential for a lawsuit later.<\/p>\r\n<p>Ensure your listing photos accurately represent your home&#8217;s condition. It often helps to depersonalize it by removing family photos. That way, at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/tips-for-holding-an-open-house.html\">your open house<\/a>&nbsp;potential buyers can visualize themselves in the home.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Home Closing<\/h2>\r\n<p>If a buyer wants to make an offer on your home, they will sign a purchase agreement spelling out the terms of their offer. When you sign that agreement, it becomes a legally binding contract. There are ways to give yourself some wiggle room in the contract. Wiggle room includes allowing for&nbsp;contingencies.<\/p>\r\n<p>A common contingency is that the sale of the home is contingent upon you finding a new home to move into. It can also include the buyer being able to sell their home before purchasing yours. Don&#8217;t forget to include the sale price and any included appliances or fixtures in the agreement.<\/p>\r\n<p>Once the paperwork is signed, a closing date will be set. The closing is when the property is legally transferred to the new owner. At that point, you receive the sale price you&#8217;ve worked hard to achieve. Be sure to walk through the property one last time to ensure everything is in order. Hand over any storage space keys to the new owner.<\/p>\r\n<p>For tips on closing on a home, review our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/buying-a-home\/tips-for-closing-on-a-home.html\">tips and pointers on the process<\/a>. You can also learn more about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/buying-a-home\/problems-when-closing-on-a-house.html\">the problems that often arise during closing<\/a>&nbsp;on a home.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Need More Help? Contact an Attorney<\/h2>\r\n<p>The process of buying or selling a home can be complicated. Complicated legal issues can sometimes arise. You might need to speak with a real estate attorney. If you do need to speak with one, contact a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/real-estate-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">qualified real estate lawyer<\/a>. If you&#8217;re a first-time seller, you&#8217;re likely going to need more help than otherwise would be the case. It&#8217;s important to get the help you need, as home selling can be hard even if you have done it before.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n           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           <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm 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<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Many real estate processes can be handled on your own or with the help of a realtor\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Some tenant or neighbor disputes may need the help of local police\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex real estate issues (such as construction defects or illegal landlord actions) may need the support of an attorney\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Buying or selling a home, facing foreclosure, or mortgage loan issues can benefit from legal expertise. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/real-estate-law\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL43\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/real-estate-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Real Estate Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/construction-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Construction Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/eminent-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eminent Domain Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/foreclosure-alternatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Foreclosure and Alternatives Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/land-use-zoning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Land Use and  Zoning Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/landlord-tenant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Landlord and Tenant Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/housing-construction-defects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Housing and Construction Defects Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"popularRecent\">\n    <div class=\"row popular-recent\">\n        <h2 class=\"popular-recent-title\">Looking for More Information?<\/h2>\n        <div class=\"popular-recent-item\">\n            <div class=\"popular-recent-item-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745849290\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-popular-recent-popular\/general-components-popular-recent-popular.svg?_i=AA\"\n                    alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"popular-recent-item-content\">\n                <h3>Popular Law Articles<\/h3>\n                <ul class=\"fl-list\">\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/transferring-property.html\">Transferring Property<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/the-home-sale-tax-exemption.html\">The Home Sale Tax Exemption<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/selling-a-home-the-basics.html\">Selling a Home &#8211; The Basics<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/how-to-sell-your-home.html\">How to Sell Your Home<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/sell-a-home-faqs.html\">Sell a Home FAQs<\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"popular-recent-item\">\n            <div class=\"popular-recent-item-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745849421\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-popular-recent-recent_12960fdca\/general-components-popular-recent-recent_12960fdca.svg?_i=AA\"\n                    alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"popular-recent-item-content\">\n                <h3>Most Recent Law Articles<\/h3>\n                <ul class=\"fl-list\">\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/how-to-make-a-quitclaim-deed.html\">\n                                How To Make a Quitclaim Deed\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/sell-a-home-faqs.html\">\n                                Sell a Home FAQs\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/top-ten-things-to-do-before-listing-your-property-for-sale.html\">\n                                Common Mistakes Home Sellers Make\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/selling-your-home-do-you-need-a-real-estate-agent.html\">\n                                Selling Your Home &#8212; Do You Need a Real Estate Agent?\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                            <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/tips-for-holding-an-open-house.html\">\n                                10 Tips for Hosting an Open House\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the Selling a Home section of FindLaw&#8217;s Real Estate Center. Learn about open houses, real estate agents, disclosures, and much more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":369059,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/OverviewPageController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2741],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-369452","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-realestate"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/369452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=369452"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/369452\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/369059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=369452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=369452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=369452"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=369452"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=369452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}