PropertyProsRated guides

What things cost, with the factors that move the price.

• Down Payment Requirements by Loan Type (2026) FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA down payment minimums explained with real program rules, eligibility, and what you actually need to close in 2026.
• Closing Costs Explained: What Buyers Actually Pay Closing costs typically run 2-5% of your loan amount. Here is every fee buyers pay at the table, who pays what, and how to reduce the total.
• Realtor Commission Explained: Who Pays What in 2026 After the 2024 NAR settlement, how buyer and seller agent fees are paid changed significantly. Here is what sellers and buyers actually pay, and how to negotiate.
• How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House? Selling a home typically costs 8 to 10 percent of the sale price, according to the National Association of Realtors. Here is every fee, line by line.

Side-by-side breakdowns so you can choose with confidence.

• Rent vs. Buy: How to Run the Numbers for Your Market Compare the true costs of renting vs. buying in your market. Includes break-even math, hidden ownership costs, and a step-by-step calculator walkthrough.
• Realtor vs. FSBO: What Sellers Actually Save (and Lose) The real math on FSBO vs. hiring a realtor after the 2024 NAR settlement -- commission rates, net proceeds, legal risks, and who should sell without an agent.
• Property Manager vs. Self-Managing: Cost and Time Compared Compare the real cost of hiring a property manager -- fees, leasing charges, markups -- against what self-managing a rental actually demands in time and money.
• Fixed-Rate vs. ARM Mortgage: Which Is Right for You? Fixed-rate vs. ARM mortgage: understand how each works, what payment shock means in practice, and which structure fits your timeline and risk tolerance.
• Condo vs. Single-Family Home: A Buyer's Honest Comparison Compare condos and single-family homes on cost, HOA fees, maintenance, financing, and resale value so you can decide which purchase fits your situation.
• Townhouse vs. Condo vs. Single-Family: A Buyer's Comparison Condos, townhouses, and single-family homes differ in what you own, HOA fees, and financing. Here is the comparison first-time buyers need before making an offer.
• New Construction vs. Existing Home: A Buyer's Comparison New construction typically costs 10 to 20 percent more than comparable existing homes. Here is a direct comparison of price, timeline, negotiation, and warranty.
• Mortgage Preapproval vs. Prequalification: What Buyers Need Prequalification uses self-reported data, no hard credit pull. Preapproval requires documents and a hard inquiry. Here is which one sellers actually take seriously.

Step-by-step guides for doing it right the first time.

• What a Home Inspection Covers (and What It Misses) A home inspection covers structure, roof, and major systems -- but not everything. Learn what inspectors check, what they skip, and when to waive is too risky.
• How to Stage Your Home to Sell (Without a Stager) Practical DIY home staging tips that help sellers reduce days on market and attract stronger offers -- organized room by room, no professional stager required.
• How to Screen a Tenant: A Landlord's Practical Guide Learn how to screen tenants legally and effectively -- from rental applications and income verification to background checks and Fair Housing compliance.
• How to Read a Lease Agreement Before You Sign Know what to look for in a rental lease before you sign. Rent terms, deposit rules, maintenance duties, red-flag clauses, and what you can negotiate.
• How to Buy Your First Home: A Step-by-Step Guide A plain-spoken, step-by-step guide to buying your first home -- from checking your credit score to closing day, with real timelines and total costs explained.
• How to Negotiate After a Home Inspection: What to Ask For Buyers who negotiate after an inspection save an average of $14,000, according to Porch. Here is how to prioritize repairs and make the request effectively.
• How to Sell a House by Owner: A Step-by-Step FSBO Checklist FSBO sellers keep the listing commission, saving 2.5 to 3 percent of the sale price. Here is the process, required paperwork, and what most FSBO sellers get wrong.
• How to Price Your Home to Sell: CMA Done Right Overpricing a home costs you time on market and final sale price, per NAR surveys. Here is how to use comparable sales to set a list price that attracts offers fast.
• How to Choose a Real Estate Agent: Questions to Ask Interview at least 2 to 3 agents before signing. These questions reveal whether an agent knows your market, prices homes accurately, and communicates reliably.

Plain-language answers to what things are and how they work.

• What Is Escrow in Real Estate? Two Meanings Explained Escrow means two things in real estate: the closing process and the mortgage account that pays your taxes and insurance. Here is how both work.
• Title Insurance Explained: What You Pay For and Why Title insurance costs $500 to $3,500, paid once at closing. Here is the difference between the lender and owner policies, who pays for each, and what is optional.
• Seller Concessions Explained: Credits, Limits, and Asking Seller concessions are credits toward your closing costs, capped at 3 to 6 percent by loan type. Here is when to ask for them and whether a price cut helps more.
• Rental Property Taxes: What Landlords Can and Cannot Deduct Landlords can deduct mortgage interest, repairs, insurance, and depreciation on Schedule E. Here is how each works and the passive activity rules that cap losses.
• Rental Property Insurance: What Landlords Actually Need A standard homeowners policy does not cover a rental. Landlord insurance costs 15 to 25 percent more. Here is what each policy covers and the gaps to fill.
• Rent Increase Laws by State: Notice and Caps Most states require 30 to 60 days written notice before a rent increase. Some states cap annual rent hikes. Here is what landlords and renters need to know by state.
• Real Estate Terms Glossary: 35 Definitions Explained Plain-language definitions of 35 essential real estate terms -- from contingencies to amortization -- so you can read contracts and listings with confidence.
• Property Management Fees: What You Actually Pay Property managers charge 8 to 12 percent of monthly rent plus a leasing fee of 50 to 100 percent of one month's rent. Here is every line item with typical ranges.
• Mortgage Points Explained: Are They Worth Buying? One discount point costs 1 percent of the loan and typically cuts your rate by 0.25 percent. Here is how to calculate break-even and decide if points are worth it.
• How to Break a Lease Early: Legal Options and Costs Breaking a lease without legal grounds typically costs 1 to 2 months rent. Here are the situations where you can exit penalty-free and the steps to take.
• Eviction Process for Landlords: Steps, Timeline, Costs An eviction takes 30 to 180 days depending on the state. Here is the step-by-step process, required court filings, and what landlords cannot do legally.
• How to Read a Closing Disclosure: Page by Page Your closing disclosure lists every fee you owe at closing. Here is how to read each page, compare it to your loan estimate, and what errors to flag before you sign.
• How Long Does It Take to Buy a House? Home purchases take 45 to 60 days from offer to closing, but the process starts weeks earlier. Here is a week-by-week breakdown from preapproval through closing day.
• Home Appraisal Explained: Cost, Process, Low Options A home appraisal typically costs $300 to $600 and takes 7 to 14 business days. Here is what appraisers evaluate, who pays, and your options if it comes in low.
• HOA Fees Explained: What They Cover and What to Watch For HOA fees typically run $200 to $300 per month but can top $2,000. Here is what fees cover, how to review the reserve fund, and the risk of special assessments.
• HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: How to Choose A home equity loan gives a lump sum at a fixed rate. A HELOC is revolving credit at a variable rate. Here is how to choose between them and the risk both carry.
• Landlord Habitability Requirements: What You Must Provide The implied warranty of habitability sets minimum housing standards for landlords. This guide covers what it includes, how state laws vary, and tenant remedies.
• First-Time Homebuyer Programs by State: Down Payment Help Every state has a housing finance agency offering down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Here is where to find programs and how income limits work.
• Earnest Money Explained: How Much and When You Lose It Earnest money is typically 1 to 3 percent of the purchase price, held in escrow. Here is when it applies to closing costs and when you can get it back.
• Real Estate Contingencies Explained: What Each One Does A contingency lets you exit a home purchase and keep your earnest money if a specific condition is not met. Here are the main types and when waiving one is risky.
• Cash Offer on a House: How It Works and Why Sellers Care A cash offer removes the financing contingency and can close in 7 to 14 days. Here is what sellers gain, what cash buyers give up, and how to compete without cash.
• Capital Gains Tax on a Home Sale: The $250K/$500K Rule Most sellers owe no capital gains tax on a home sale thanks to the $250,000 or $500,000 married exclusion. Here is how the rule works and what disqualifies you.
• Buyer's vs. Seller's Market: How to Tell the Difference In a seller's market, homes sell fast with multiple offers. In a buyer's market, listings sit and sellers negotiate. Here is how to identify which market you are in.
• Buyer Agent Agreements Explained: What You Sign Since August 2024, buyers must sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. Here is what the contract says, costs, and how to negotiate.

The numbers behind the category, sourced and current.

• Security Deposit Limits by State: What Landlords Can Charge Security deposit limits vary from no cap to two months' rent depending on your state. See the rules for 14 states, return timelines, and landlord compliance tips.
• Closing Costs by State: What Buyers Pay in Each Market Average closing costs vary from under 1% to over 3% of the purchase price depending on your state. See what buyers typically pay and why the gap is so wide.
• Average Days on Market by State (Current Data) How long does it take to sell a house? See typical days on market by state, what drives faster and slower timelines, and how to read your local number.
• Real Estate Cost Index 2026: Every Fee in One Table Every major real estate cost in one place for 2026 -- buyer costs, seller costs, landlord costs, and financing fees cited to named industry sources.