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Ready to buy?

So You’re Ready to Buy...

...or even if you're just in the planning stages. We have the information you need, right here!

Guidebook for Buyers: The Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® Guidebook for Buyers provides accurate, comprehensive information on the real estate process. It focuses on helpful information for both buyers and sellers, including REALTOR® selection, financing, mortgages, home inspection, insurance, moving, and more.

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CONSUMER RESOURCES

NOTE: Consumer guides do not constitute any change in NAR policy. Real estate professionals must ensure they market properties consistent with relevant MLS rules and educate sellers on the choices available.

CONSUMER GUIDE: SELLER CHECKLIST, 15 THING TO DO BEFORE EVERY SHOWING

You’re ready to sell your home. You have consulted with an agent who’s a REALTOR® and done everything you can to maximize your chances of selling: You’ve decluttered, depersonalized, deep cleaned, made necessary repairs and staged the home to make it as appealing as possible. Now, here’s a handy checklist of the things to do before every showing to help your home sell faster and for top dollar.

FLOORS AND SURFACES

Pick up. Be sure beds are made and toys, clothes and other articles are picked up and put away.
Clear kitchen and bath counters. The less you have out, the more spacious counters look. Leave big items, like a toaster oven or coffee maker. Neatly stow everything else in drawers and cabinets.
Wipe down all surfaces. Use a damp cloth to wipe down dining tables, tea tables, side tables and bookshelves where dust may be visible.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: Spotting Deepfake Scams in Real Estate

Cyber-enabled fraud—use of the internet or other technology to steal money, data or identity—accounted for $13.7 billion in 2024, according to the latest data released by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Among cybercrimes, the use of deepfake technology is a growing concern. Deepfake scams increased 40% year-over-year, according to the 2026 Identity Fraud Report by security firm Entrust. Here’s what you need to know about deepfake scams to protect yourself during the sale or purchase of your home.

What are deepfakes?

Entrust defines deepfakes as “realistic, AI-generated fake videos, images or audio recordings that mimic a real person’s likeness.”

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CONSUMER GUIDE: Financing a Renovation When You Buy

You’ve found a house that has great bones, but it needs work. Don’t let the thought of renovation costs scare you away. There are mortgage options that let you fold in the cost of renovations or repairs. Renovation financing can help you compete in low-inventory markets, customize a home to your needs and build equity faster. Your real estate professional can help you identify the right loan options and connect you with experienced lenders.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: Navigating Mortgage Interest Rate Shifts

When you’re in the market for a home, fluctuations in mortgage interest rates can be unsettling. After all, the interest rate on your mortgage affects the price range you can comfortably afford. Approaching the issue with knowledge—including an understanding of how rate changes impact your monthly payment—can help keep your home purchase on track.

What affects the interest rate that lenders charge you? Individual lenders set interest rates based on economic conditions, their risk tolerance and other factors, including the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds and the price of mortgage-backed securities. Your credit score, debt-to-income ratio and down payment amount also impact your rate.

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THE LATEST CONSUMER RESOURCES

Check Out the Latest Consumer Information from REALTOR experts!

Whether you're a home buyer OR a home seller, the resources linked here provide the facts and latest updates on NAR's settlement agreement related to broker commissions.*

CONSUMER GUIDE: REAL ESTATE CONTRACT CONTINGENCIES

You’ve made an offer on a home—or you’re selling your home and have received a contract offer. Regardless of which side of the transaction you’re on, you need a clear understanding of any contingencies that are part of the real estate contract.

What is a contingency in a real estate contract, and how does it differ from a clause? Clauses in a contract describe the rights and obligations of the parties. A contingency is a condition that needs to be met before the purchase can be completed. Buyers and sellers must agree to and sign off on any contingencies before they are legally binding. It’s a good idea to have a real estate attorney review all contract terms, including contingencies.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: HIRING A REMODELING CONTRACTOR

Do you have a home-improvement project on the horizon? Whether you’re looking to renovate a home you’ve just purchased, improve the value of your home before you sell it, or just bring more joy to your life, a remodeling contractor will make the process easier, mitigate potential costly errors and ensure that your projects are up to code.

Americans are expected to spend $608 billion on U.S. residential remodeling in 2025, according to the Improving America’s Housing 2025 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. The payoff can be high for homeowners’ enjoyment as well as a good return on investment. For its 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, the National Association of REALTORS® asked its members to estimate what homeowners could expect to recover at resale on the cost of various home-improvement projects. The projects with the highest cost recovery were small upgrades: a new steel front door (100%), a closet renovation (83%) and a new fiberglass front door (80%). The report also asked homeowners to rate their happiness with recent renovations. Projects that brought owners the most joy: primary bedroom suite addition, kitchen upgrade and a new roof.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: 8 TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME IN WINTER

The months of December through February see less robust real estate activity in many areas due to the holidays and the cold weather, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. But if you need to sell your home during winter, you can capitalize on certain advantages that seasonal selling provides. For one thing, winter buyers are typically motivated, whether it’s due to a work relocation, expanding family or other pressing need. And because there are generally fewer homes on the market during this time, sellers can benefit from less competition when negotiating offers.

Here are ways to maximize the appeal of your home during the winter:

Focus on curb appeal. Clean up fallen leaves and dead branches. Make the front door inviting with planted topiaries, a festive door wreath and a fresh welcome mat.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: CAN'T PAY YOUR MORTGAGE? YOU HAVE OPTIONS

Financial hardships can strike when we least expect them. Maybe you’ve been part of a downsizing at work, a catastrophic illness has wiped out your savings, or you’re facing any number of other financial challenges. For any kind of financial hardship, there are multiple options to help you get back on track.

I'VE MISSED ONE OR MORE PAYMENTS...WHAT SHOULD I DO? As soon as—or, better, before—you miss a payment, contact your mortgage servicer. The company may offer mortgage-relief options that could help you stay in your home. Be sure to ask how each of these options will affect your credit score.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT

Heating and cooling a home can be a big expense, especially with energy bills climbing in many areas. If you worry about energy costs, you’re not alone. An estimated three-fourths of Americans say they’re concerned about rising gas and electric bills, according to a 2025 poll by PowerLines, a consumer education nonprofit organization.

Here are practical tips to make your home more energy efficient:

1. Make Smart Upgrades. When prioritizing home improvement projects, think about both what will cut your energy costs and what will make a difference when you sell. According to the REALTORS® Residential Sustainability Report, windows, doors and siding are the most important energy efficient home features for buyers, with 37% of REALTORS® rating them as very important and 49% as somewhat important. Ask your energy provider whether energy audits or rebates on efficiency upgrades are available in your area.

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CONSUMER GUIDE:THINKING OF SELLING? 7 FACTORS TO CONSIDER

You’ve thought about selling your home—but it’s a big step. You’re not sure whether it’s the right time. These seven discussion questions can help you think through the decision.

1. Does the home still fit you and your family? Life changes can change the way you think about your home. Adding household members, separating from a partner, watching adult children move away, and even new personal interests and needs can make a home suddenly feel too large or too small.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: ARE YOU READY TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE?

Owning a home is part of the American dream—a path to generational wealth—but, for some, it’s just the first step in their real estate journey. If you’re considering buying an investment property such as a residential rental, commercial building or land, here are questions to help determine if you’re ready.

1. Do you have a secure income? According to experts, the most important criteria in determining if you’re ready to invest in real estate is income security. You need financial stability and a steady cash flow to be able to cover the mortgage (unless you’re paying cash), maintenance and insurance costs, and situations where a tenant is late with the rent or there is a gap in tenancy.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: ARE YOU READY TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE?

Owning a home is part of the American dream—a path to generational wealth—but, for some, it’s just the first step in their real estate journey. If you’re considering buying an investment property such as a residential rental, commercial building or land, here are questions to help determine if you’re ready.

1. Do you have a secure income? According to experts, the most important criteria in determining if you’re ready to invest in real estate is income security. You need financial stability and a steady cash flow to be able to cover the mortgage (unless you’re paying cash), maintenance and insurance costs, and situations where a tenant is late with the rent or there is a gap in tenancy.

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CONSUMER GUIDE: STAGING YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE

In real estate, “home staging” refers to presenting your property in a way that highlights its strengths and helps buyers envision themselves living there. Staging isn’t about following the latest interior design trends or remodeling—it’s centered on decluttering and styling a home so that it can be seen in its best light. No matter the price point, real estate professionals emphasize the importance of preparing a home before putting it on the market: 83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home makes it easier for their buyer to visualize the property as their future home, according to the 2025 Profile of Home Staging report by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Does home staging really work? Yes, home staging can make a measurable difference in attracting buyers and possibly even in the sales price. More than a quarter of real estate professionals reported that staging their sellers’ homes netted between 1% and 10% more in the dollar value offered, according to NAR’s report, and about half of seller’s agents reported a decrease in the time it took to sell staged homes.

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Choose a realtor®

Your Neighborhood REALTOR® is YOUR Local Expert

All real estate is local. With that comes being a local expert.
We live and work in your neighborhoods. Our children go to school with your children. We know your neighbors on a first name basis.
We have the data necessary to assist buyers and sellers to understand the biggest financial decision of your lives.
We can recall a catalogue of properties at a moment’s notice.
We have our finger on the pulse of the local market because we list local properties every day.
We have the latest tools and technologies, data and research at our fingertips, and we’re on top of all the latest trends.

Choose a realtor®

A REALTOR® is Your Best Resource in Northeast Ohio

If you’re like many buyers and sellers in Northeast Ohio, you’ll start your home search online. But acquiring your dream home involves more than seeing it online and moving in. Many people don’t realize that real estate transactions are fraught with ups and down, ins and outs, and potential pitfalls.

REALTOR® representation during this process is incredibly important.

There are about 200 actions, research steps, procedures, processes and review stages in a successful residential real estate transaction. Depending on the transaction, some may take minutes, hours, or even days to complete.

A REALTOR® reflects the level of skill, knowledge and attention to detail required in today’s real estate transaction, underscoring the importance of having help and guidance from someone who fully understands the process. The bottom line: REALTORS® bring value to a transaction!

The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling with a REALTOR® Agents who are REALTORS® are professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and adhere to a strict code of ethics. Not every real estate licensee holds REALTOR® membership.

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File a complaint

Find information below should you choose to file a complaint with the Grievance Committee of the Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® alleging misconduct by one of our REALTOR® members.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

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Ethics complaint procedures

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