A broken fence, overgrown yard, or rusted porch railing can make your home appear run down. Spend time removing clutter, fixing eye sores, cleaning the windows, or replacing damaged screens to make the home more inviting.

Adding new carpet or wood flooring can provide a good return on investment if there is a lot of wear and tear. However, if it’s in decent shape, replacing flooring to put in something that the new owner may switch out might not be cost-effective. If needed, refinish the hardwood or professionally clean the carpet to give it new life.

Fixing faded, scuffed, or peeling paint can make the house’s exterior look newer. It’s also a good idea to paint over bright colors that may turn off buyers. Choose a standard, neutral color to lighten up the space.

Depending on the age and design, you may not need a complete kitchen or bath remodel. But if you started a project, you should finish it. An unfinished project can affect the home’s selling price and may limit potential buyers to someone looking for a fixer-upper.

Contact a REALTOR® for advice on improving your property value and getting the most out of your home sale.

A property manager knows how to legally screen applicants to lessen the chances you’ll have tenants who don’t pay rent or cause other headaches.

If problems like nonpaying tenants and evictions do occur, a property manager will deal with them in a professional manner.

A property manager knows when you’re required to change locks, what you can deduct from a security deposit, how to navigate fair housing laws, the rules about assistance animals, and much more.

Whether it’s a plumbing emergency or a last-minute request to see a unit by a prospective tenant, a property manager will take care of these inconvenient tasks.

Hiring a REALTOR® puts a professional in charge of timely rent payments, competitive rents, low vacancy rates, and other details that boost your investment’s return.

Enjoy all the benefits of professional property management: Hire a REALTOR®.

Be wary if you receive a letter from a company claiming to be a partner or associated with your mortgage lender wanting additional information for your loan. Since you have already closed on your home, it is a scam. Do not give out your personal or financial information.

If you get a bill stating you owe money for a copy of your deed or property assessment profile, don’t pay it. Property deeds are mailed to you free after a sale or transfer. If you need an additional copy, you can order one through your county clerk’s office.

Legitimate utility companies will not call or show up at your door asking for payment through a money order, cryptocurrency, or other nontraceable forms. They also will not ask to see your bill or account information. When you receive a bill, always verify the email, business address, and phone number is correct. Fraudsters often use real company names and logos to trick you into thinking the bill is real.

Did you know you are not required to purchase a home warranty? If you want one, research and contact companies with good reputations. Beware of companies claiming your home warranty is expiring or has already expired and that payment is needed.

Companies that urge you to refinance shortly after closing make money on excessive loan fees—putting you at a higher interest rate than you currently have. It’s always best to research the best lender for a refinance instead of responding to a cold call or advertisement.

Since this is not an exhaustive list, work with your trusted REALTOR®. Ask for advice on how to spot real estate scams and ways to protect yourself.

While both are steps in reaching homeownership, they have different meanings.

Prequalification is an informal process. You describe your financial situation—debt, income, and assets—and the lender estimates how much you may borrow. The lender may even consider a credit check, a soft one that should not affect your credit score.

This process can occur over the phone, online, or in person. Becoming prequalified can prepare you for the next steps in buying a home and help you explore your mortgage options.

You will provide your lender with proof of your financial history. The lender will check your income, employment status, assets, debt, and pull a credit report on you. Documentation for this process can include W-2s, pay stubs, a summary of assets, and a copy of your mortgage statement if you already own real estate. Preapproval can be completed online with support from a loan officer if needed.

If you get preapproved, you will receive a letter outlining the amount and type of mortgage the lender is offering along with terms. Preapproval is vital to the homebuying process.

If you are considering buying a home, prequalification and preapproval will show you your borrowing options. That information will also help your REALTOR® understand what you can afford.

Create a great first impression. Don’t let overflowing gutters, mildew on exterior stone, or peeling paint spoil the welcome. If needed, pressure wash the driveway, install a new door, or stain the fence.

Lawn decorations like statues and garden gnomes are fun ways to include your personality when living in your home, but buyers are looking for a home they see themselves in. Remember to put away gardening tools, yard equipment, and kid toys.

Just like you would do with a kitchen or living room, arrange the outdoor furniture to show potential buyers the extra opportunities to dine, entertain, and unwind.

For additional advice and tips for preparing your home for sale, contact a REALTOR®.

Compensation for real estate services is negotiable between agents and their clients. Many real estate brokers who represent sellers offer to compensate the buyers’ representatives for helping to successfully sell the property. Buyers benefit from this arrangement because they can receive professional representation even when they don’t have the financial ability to pay for services directly. When hiring a REALTOR®, you can discuss what services you need and how compensation will work.

Buyer’s agents protect the interests of their clients. Your REALTOR® can help you submit offers, navigate complex transactions, identify down-payment programs, negotiate on your behalf, and talk to you about other professionals you may need during a real estate purchase. Nine out of 10 homebuyers and sellers say they would work with their REALTOR® again, which speaks to the valuable role REALTORS® play. The changes within the NAR settlement present greater opportunities for REALTORS® to communicate the value and services that will be provided.

This list could keep going and going.

When you “ask the internet,” you don’t know if the answers you get are accurate. On the other hand, a REALTOR® is a professional with the experience and knowledge to help you avoid many problems, deal with those that arise, and help you reach the best possible outcome on your real estate transaction.

If you’re not working with a REALTOR®, find one here.

Those owners who hire a REALTOR® sell their homes more quickly than if they tried to sell their home on their own. That’s because REALTORS® know how to market your property so it reaches the right buyers.

An overpriced home is destined to sit on the market. Your REALTOR® will give you accurate information about comparable home prices in your area as well as the current marketplace, so you can choose the right price from the start.

It’s important for potential buyers to see themselves in your home. Make it easier for them by putting away the kid’s playhouse, the dog bed, and your collection of doll heads. Cleaning often and storing items will be worth it for a quicker sale.

People will notice the door that doesn’t quite shut all the way, the scratches on your baseboard, and the rattling ceiling fan. Even small fixes can make a big difference in how attractive your home is to a buyer.

Your REALTOR® can give you specific advice for your home that can help you take your property from for sale to sold.

Besides deciding what you would want to be replaced, figure out what process for cataloging works best for you. For example, you can make a spreadsheet or take videos and pictures using your smartphone. Check with your insurance company; they may have an app or online form available.

Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Organize your inventory by room. Start with a small closet or the kitchen. Also, make it a habit. When you get something new or get rid of something, update your inventory.

Ask your insurance agent what documentation will be needed to make a claim. You may need to add receipts, purchase contracts, basic descriptions, serial numbers, make and model, and estimated cost in your records.

Store your inventory in a fireproof safe, an external drive, or an online storage account. Be sure it is a place that is easily accessible.

Hopefully, you won’t have an emergency that requires you to file a claim. But if you do, you’ll appreciate that you are prepared.

Be suspicious if your movers don’t provide a written cost estimate or say they will figure out the charges after loading. Think twice if your movers—or a broker who works with movers—gives you an estimate without inspecting your stuff. Does that estimate seem low to you? Is it low compared to other written estimates? Furthermore, watch out if your movers ask you to sign blank documents or claim you have more possessions than the estimate says.

Be wary if the company does not have a local address or doesn’t identify themselves when you call them. Do the movers say their insurance will cover your stuff but they don’t ask you to itemize or value your belongings? Are these movers even authorized to be movers? You can look up the company in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Registered Mover Database. Consider checking with the Better Business Bureau, too.

Movers and moving brokers are required to give you a copy of the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet and the “Ready to Move” brochure. Did you receive them?

Are the movers asking for a large deposit or cash before the move? Some sort of deposit may be required but it shouldn’t be an enormous sum—or ever required in cash.

Talk to your REALTOR® about how to make your move as smooth as possible. Your REALTOR® has the knowledge and skills to help you make informed decisions.