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Buying a home is one of the largest financial transactions most people will ever undertake. Agents who are REALTORS® are a trusted source of advice and stand ready to help you navigate your homebuying journey and make the choices that work best for you. NAR’s recent settlement has led to several changes that benefit homebuyers, and we wanted to clearly lay them out for you.

Consumer Guides

These resources cover what consumers should expect from—and how to navigate—conversations with agents who are REALTORS® about the services they need and the associated compensation.

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Consumer Guide: Written Buyer Agreements

When 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: 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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Consumer Guide: 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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Veterans home

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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compensation

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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written buyer agreement

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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seller concessions

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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MLS

Consumer Guide: Multiple Listing Services (MLSs)

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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Fair Housing

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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Listing Agreements

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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Asking Buyer Agent

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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Ask Seller Agent

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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First Time Buyer

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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Mortgage Financing

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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Steps Between Signing and Closing

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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Agency and Nonagency Relationships

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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Appraisal Process

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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Home Inspections

Consumer Guide: Home Inspections

Between signing and close, a buyer may have a home inspected to ensure it is in good condition and safe for a new owner. Here's what you should know.

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Homeowners Insurance

Consumer Guide: Homeowners Insurance

Understanding homeowners insurance is essential for anyone looking to purchase a home. Here's what you need to know.

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Flood Insurance

Consumer Guide: Flood Insurance

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. A licensed insurance agent can advise you on how to protect your assets. Find out what you need to know.

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Fire Damage & Policy Coverage

Consumer Guide: Fire Damage and Policy Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies cover fire damage. Some may limit coverage if your risk is higher. Here's what you need to know about understanding your coverage.

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Preparing to sell your home

Consumer Guide: Preparing to Sell Your Home

Here are common considerations as you prepare your home for listing and viewing by potential buyers. An agent who is a REALTOR® can guide you.

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Pricing your home

Consumer Guide: What Goes Into Pricing Your Home

An important question to ask your agent is how to determine your home's listing, or asking, price. Here is what sellers should know about home pricing.

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Escrow and Earnest Money

Consumer Guide: Escrow and Earnest Money

Between signing and closing, homebuyers typically deposit money into an escrow account. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help advise you on how to keep your deposits safe.

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Homeownership

Consumer Guide: Preparing for Homeownership

Whether you are a first-time buyer or planning your next move, here's what prospective buyers should know to prepare for the home purchase process.

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Property Taxes

Consumer Guide: Property Taxes

Property taxes are a reality of homeownership. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help connect you with a tax expert in your area, but here are the basics.

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Seller Disclosures

Consumer Guide: Seller Disclosures

Home sellers must disclose certain characteristics of the property to buyers. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help you understand why and what you need to disclose.

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Marketing your home

Consumer Guide: Marketing Your Home

Once you decide to sell your home, your agent will work with you to determine the best strategy to reach potential buyers and attract strong offers.

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Homeowners Association

Consumer Guide: Homeowners Associations

In many housing markets, HOAs and other community associations can be a part of the homebuying (and owning) experience. Here’s what buyers should know.

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Multiple Offers

Consumer Guide: Navigating Multiple Offers

When your home is on the market, you may receive offers from multiple interested buyers. Here's how to determine which one is best for you.

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Alternative listing options

Consumer Guide: Alternative Listing Options

Home sellers looking to market their homes may have different preferences for how they do so. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help you craft a marketing strategy that best suits your needs.

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Deeds and Title Transfer

Consumer Guide: Deeds and Titles

To complete the process of closing a home sale, a property’s ownership rights are formally transferred from the seller to the buyer. Here's what you should know about deeds and titles.

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Buying Land and Building a house

Consumer Guide: Buying Land and Building a New Home

Prospective homebuyers may consider purchasing a plot of land or a new construction project instead of an existing home. Here's what you should know.

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Protect from title Fraud

Consumer Guide: Protecting Yourself From Title Fraud

Title fraud is a serious crime that can result in loss of title to a property. Here's what to know about how title fraud happens, who's at risk, and how to prevent it.

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Overcoming barriers to Homeownership

Consumer Guide: Overcoming Barriers to Homeownership

Whether you're saving for a down payment, managing debt, or dealing with other barriers to entry, agents who are REALTORS® can help you find your dream home.

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Consumer Guides (6)

Consumer Guide: Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction

If you're navigating tax season or planning to buy a home, understanding how this deduction works can help you make smarter financial decisions.

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Consumer Guides (7)

Consumer Guide: Your Home and Estate Planning

A home is a long-term financial asset. Estate planning helps you decide what happens to your home and other assets if you can no longer care for them.

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Consumer Guides (3)

Consumer Guide: Buyer's vs. Seller's Market

Recognizing whether shifting market conditions favor buyers or sellers can help you make more confident decisions. Learn what each means for you.

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Recognizing whether shifting market conditions favor buyers or sellers can help you make more confident decisions. Learn what each means for you.

Consumer Guides
Consumer Guide: Assistance Programs

Buying or keeping a home can be financially challenging—but you may not have to do it alone. There are assistance programs designed to help.

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Buying or keeping a home can be financially challenging—but you may not have to do it alone. There are assistance programs designed to help.

Consumer Guides (5)
Consumer Guide: Real Estate Auctions

Buying a home at auction can be an exciting opportunity. First-time buyer and experienced investors should be aware of the rules and risks.

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Consumer Guides (6)
Consumer Guide: Working With a Real Estate Attorney

Buying a home is an important decision. Many professionals are available to help you throughout the process, including a real estate attorney.

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