Homeownership Resources

We want to make sure you have all the facts to help you find a pathway to homeownership in Berkshire County. Queremos asegurarnos de que tenga toda la información necesaria para ayudarle a encontrar el camino hacia la propiedad de una vivienda en el condado de Berkshire.

Getting Ready to Buy 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Hiring Someone to Work for You 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Negotiating Written Buyer Agreements: Here's what to know about negotiating an agreement for services and compensation with an agent who is a REALTOR®. English PDF \| Español PDF 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? English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Important Protections 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.English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Fair Housing: Consumers and agents all have rights and responsibilities to promote a home buying or selling process free from discrimination. English PDF \| Español PDF From Signing and Agreement to Closing 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Financial Impacts 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Homeowners Insurance: Understanding homeowners insurance is essential for anyone looking to purchase a home. Here's what you need to know. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF	Getting Ready to Sell 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Hiring Someone to Work for You 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Listing Agreements: One of the first things you'll do when selling your home is negotiate and sign a listing agreement with your agent. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Important Protections 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.English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF Fair Housing: Consumers and agents all have rights and responsibilities to promote a home buying or selling process free from discrimination. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF Financial Aspects of Sale 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF 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. English PDF \| Español PDF

At Home In The Berkshires

Finding Home In the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts

Homeownership Resources

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