By Avvo on 23 Mar 2015 Originally posted on http://www.zillow.com/blog/selling-a-home-legal-checklist-172292/ Selling a Home: Your Legal Checklist By Avvo on 23 Mar 2015 Know-How Blog Topics Celebrity Real Estate Market Trends Home Improvement First Person Unique Homes Tips & Advice Featured Post Home Improvement / story 5 Home Projects You Can Finish During Your Staycation By BobVila.com on 7 Jul 2016 Balance R&R with a little DIY for total staycation satisfaction. Read Full Story Zillow Tools Find homes for sale Search for rentals Check the latest mortgage rates Get home design inspiration Connect with a local agent Blog Topics Celebrity Real Estate Market Trends Home Improvement First Person Unique Homes Tips & Advice Featured Post Home Improvement / story 5 Home Projects You Can Finish During Your Staycation By BobVila.com on 7 Jul 2016 Balance R&R with a little DIY for total staycation satisfaction. Read Full Story Zillow Tools Find homes for sale Search for rentals Check the latest mortgage rates Get home design inspiration Connect with a local agent There’s more to getting your house in order than boosting curb appeal and finding a real estate agent. By Stephanie Reid, Avvo attorney and NakedLaw contributor If you’re thinking it’s time to sell your home, there are a few legal issues to consider before posting that “For Sale” sign. Whether you are parting ways with your spouse, planning to upgrade or downsize, or selling out of financial necessity, you should protect yourself from pitfalls awaiting the unsavvy seller. Here are four steps you can take to avoid common issues that pop up during the residential home sale process. Resolve debts, encumbrances and liens If your property has incurred any sort of debt, encumbrance or lien, you will need to take care of this prior to settling with your buyer. This obstacle can arise in any number of ways, including through: Federal, state or local tax liens Civil court judgments Child support or spousal support missed payments General unpaid debts Failure to pay homeowners association dues Of course, the outstanding amount will vary greatly from homeowner to homeowner, but one thing is certain: The lienholder will get paid. If you are facing a major tax lien or civil judgment attached to your property, selling your home will not get you out of trouble, especially if you try to hide the debt or defraud the buyer. The lien will, without question, appear on a title search ordered by the buyer and will become a deduction from your sale proceeds on the day of closing. Get joint tenants on the same page The ownership structure of your property may impact your ability to sell, especially if you inherited the property with several family members as joint tenants. If this...

By Natalie Wise on 7/5/2016   Originally posted on http://www.zillow.com/digs/guides/living-rooms/splurge-save-furnish-space-budget/ Furnishing a new house or apartment can be a challenge, especially if you’re working with a small budget. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to spend your hard-earned money. We put together this guide so you know what to splurge on, and what you can get at a lower price — without sacrificing quality. Here are eight pieces of furniture to get you started. Splurge: Couch It’s time to get rid of that couch you “inherited” from your mom’s basement. A good quality couch is the first investment you should make as you collect furniture for your new space; a sturdy, comfortable couch is worth the money. You can Scotch Guard upholstery to give it extra life and protect the fabric from stains and spills. If it’s in your budget. real leather is preferable to faux leather, as faux leather will split and crack. A sectional couch is a great option for entertaining, if you have the space. Save: Coffee Table Coffee tables run the gamut from sleek and slim to heavy double-duty storage pieces. Regardless of the style you choose, look for one that is made of real wood or thick glass, stable and able to withstand some wear and tear. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box: instead of a traditional coffee table you can use an old trunk or crate, or a large tufted ottoman that can also serve as seating. Thrift and vintage stores are great places to find unique and durable coffee tables at low price points. Splurge: Loveseat A loveseat is a small, two-person couch. The loveseat is traditional in a living room to create the classic “L” shaped furniture arrangement. This shape allows for easy conversation and lets everyone see the focal point of the room, be it a television or fireplace. Loveseats generally match the couch, but could also be a surprise decorative element in more contemporary or eclectic spaces. If loveseats are out of your price range, or simply don’t fit in your space, consider purchasing an armchair or two to create a similar living room feel. Save: Dining Table and Chairs A dining table and chairs may not be a top priority investment for you right away. Still, it’s nice to have a place to eat, so a small table (square or round) and at least two chairs will be a good place to start, even if they’re inexpensive. A table that folds down on both sides is a smart space-saving option if you don’t have a lot of room. As you accumulate more furniture over the years you can prioritize saving up to get a nice dining set...