Thousands of letters have come in to my syndicated real estate column, radio, and television shows from would-be homesellers, those currently involved in the process, and others smarting from wounds received. (Those with happy, successful sales don’t usually write to a columnist.) So when my son and daughter-in-law put their first home on the market and sought to buy a larger one (grandchildren!), I had ample advice to give them, and that was the genesis of this book.
Everything I’ve learned is set forth to help you with the adventure. The book includes advice for selling on your own and unique information—found in no other book I know of—on making the best use of a broker if you do retain one. One of the most frequent queries I receive concerns the income tax consequences of a sale, so the book concludes with a chapter on just that topic. The text guides you from the decision to sell to selecting a good agent (and dismissing a poor one); preparing, pricing, and showing your home; negotiating a sales contract and making sure the buyer obtains financing; ensuring a smooth and timely closing; and on through to an analysis of those tax ramifications. If you are selling your home, you face changes in your life—sometimes exhilarating, sometimes worrisome. I hope this smooths the way, and I’d enjoy hearing how it goes. You’re welcome to write me at 240 Hemingway Drive, Rochester, NY 14620, with comments, suggestions, or questions. My e-mail address is ehlank@aol.com. |
