Guides for buying, selling & renting
Clear, practical, no-nonsense guides for every side of a move — whether you're selling by owner, buying your first home, screening tenants, or hunting for the perfect rental.
How ListMyHomes Verifies Property Ownership — and Why It Protects Everyone
Fake listings are one of the most common scams in online real estate. Here's how ListMyHomes checks every owner listing against public property records — and what to do if your own listing needs an extra step.
4 min readRead guide For BuyersUnderstanding Contingencies in a Home Purchase: A Buyer's Guide
Learn what real estate contingencies are, the main types buyers use, and how they protect your money and your right to walk away.
6 min readRead guide For SellersSeller Disclosures Explained: What You Must Tell Buyers in 2026
Learn what home sellers must disclose to buyers, how disclosure forms work, and how to avoid costly mistakes when selling your house.
6 min readRead guide For SellersHow to Handle Buyer Offers and Negotiate the Best Home Sale Price
Learn how to evaluate, compare, and counter buyer offers so you can negotiate confidently and close on the best terms.
6 min readRead guide GuideVA Home Loan Guide: How the VA Loan Works in 2026
Learn how the VA home loan works in 2026, from eligibility and the COE to funding fees, appraisals, and using your benefit to buy.
6 min readRead guide For RentersRenters Insurance Explained: What It Covers and Why You Need It
Learn what renters insurance covers, how much it costs, and how to choose a policy that protects your belongings and finances in 2026.
6 min readRead guide For LandlordsRental Property Maintenance: A Landlord's 2026 Guide
Learn how to handle repairs, build a maintenance schedule, and respond to tenant requests to protect your rental investment.
6 min readRead guide For BuyersHow to Make an Offer on a House: A Buyer's Guide for 2026
Learn how to make a competitive offer on a house in 2026, from setting your price to contingencies, earnest money, and negotiation.
6 min readRead guide For SellersHow to Price Your Home to Sell: A Seller's Pricing Guide for 2026
Learn how to set the right asking price for your home using comps, market data, and proven pricing strategies that attract offers.
6 min readRead guide For RentersHow to Get Your Full Security Deposit Back: A Renter's Guide (2026)
A step-by-step renter's guide to getting your full security deposit back — document at move-in, follow your lease, clean thoroughly, and give proper notice.
4 min readRead guide For RentersHow to Read a Lease Before You Sign: A Renter's Checklist for 2026
A renter's checklist for reading a lease before you sign — the basics, fees, deposit terms, rules, and the clauses that catch people off guard.
4 min readRead guide For LandlordsSecurity Deposits: A Landlord's Guide to Collecting, Holding, and Returning (2026)
How to handle security deposits the right way — setting the amount, holding funds properly, documenting condition, lawful deductions, and timely returns.
4 min readRead guide For LandlordsHow to Write a Rental Listing That Attracts Qualified Renters in 2026
A practical guide to writing a rental listing that draws strong applicants — clear details, great photos, objective criteria, and fair-housing-safe language.
4 min readRead guide For BuyersThe Home Inspection Guide for Buyers: What to Expect in 2026
What a home inspection covers, what it doesn't, how to prepare, and how to use the report to make a confident decision before you buy.
4 min readRead guide For BuyersMortgage Pre-Approval Explained: How to Get Ready to Buy a Home in 2026
What mortgage pre-approval is, why it matters, the documents you'll need, and how to strengthen your application before you start house hunting.
4 min readRead guide For SellersSeller Closing Costs Explained: What It Really Costs to Sell a House in 2026
A clear breakdown of seller closing costs in 2026 — what you'll typically pay, how to estimate your net proceeds, and where you may be able to save.
4 min readRead guide For SellersHome Staging Checklist: How to Stage Your Home to Sell Faster in 2026
A room-by-room home staging checklist to help you sell faster and show your home at its best — no costly renovation required.
4 min readRead guide For RentersHow to Get Approved for a Rental: 2026 Renter's Guide
Learn how to get approved for an apartment and stand out as a great applicant with this 2026 renter's guide to documents, credit checks, and red flags.
7 min readRead guide For LandlordsTenant Screening Done Right: A Fair & Legal 2026 Guide
Learn how to screen tenants the right way in 2026 — find reliable renters using objective, consistent criteria that keep you on the right side of fair housing law.
7 min readRead guide For BuyersFirst-Time Home Buyer's Roadmap: How to Buy a House in 2026
A clear, step-by-step guide for first-time home buyers — from setting your budget to getting the keys, with no jargon and no guesswork.
7 min readRead guide For SellersHow to Sell Your Home By Owner (FSBO) in Tennessee — 2026 Guide
A practical, step-by-step 2026 guide to selling your home by owner in Tennessee — pricing, disclosures, marketing, offers, and closing.
7 min readRead guide