Personal Real Estate Corporation

Key Terms Every Home Seller Should Know...

Thinking of selling your home? Here's a quick glossary to help you feel more confident along the way.

Selling a home comes with a lot of moving parts—and even more unfamiliar terms. If you’re starting to think about listing your property, it’s a smart move to get comfortable with some of the most commonly used language in real estate. Here are a few key terms that can help make the process clearer:

💠Comparable Market Analysis (CMA)

A CMA is a detailed report that looks at similar homes that have recently sold in your area. These homes are usually close in size, age, and condition to yours. The analysis helps determine a realistic and competitive price for your home based on actual market activity.

💠Disclosures

As a seller, you’ll be required to share certain known facts about the property that could affect its value or livability. These might include past water damage, structural issues, or renovations. Being transparent up front can help build trust with buyers and avoid legal issues later.

💠Counter Offer

If a buyer makes an offer that doesn’t quite meet your expectations, you can respond with a counter offer. This means you’re rejecting the original offer, but proposing new terms—like a higher price, a different possession date, or revised conditions—that work better for you.

💠Appraisal

When a buyer is using a mortgage to purchase your home, the lender will typically order an appraisal. This is a professional evaluation of your home’s value to make sure it aligns with the agreed-upon sale price. A low appraisal can sometimes affect financing, so it's an important part of the process.

💠Closing Costs

These are the fees and expenses associated with finalizing the sale of your home. They often include legal fees, title insurance, taxes, and real estate commissions. While some costs are paid by the buyer, others may fall to the seller—so it’s good to plan ahead.

💠Closing Statement

This document outlines every financial detail of the transaction—from the sale price to the commissions, taxes, and adjustments. Your lawyer will provide this before closing to show exactly what you’ll receive (or pay) once everything is finalized.Understanding these terms can help reduce stress and keep you feeling in control as you move through the selling process. If you have any questions or want to talk through next steps, I’m always here to help.