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Selling your home will involve a lot of paperwork. The requirements may vary somewhat depending on where you live, but the following are some of the most important documents youll likely need:

Documents From Your Purchase of the House
Youll need the original sales contract from the time when you bought the house. Thatll let the buyer know who the previous owner was, the sale price at the time, and any disclosures that were made then. Youll also need to provide the appraisal that was conducted before you bought the house.

Documents Related to Maintenance, Repairs and Current Problems
You shouldve kept records of maintenance and repairs during the time you owned the house. Those can give the buyer an accurate idea of the condition of the house now and any repairs that might be needed in the future. If you had any new appliances installed, you should give the buyers the warranties.

Youll also need to provide a potential buyer with homeowners insurance records. These should include any claims you submitted so the buyer will be aware of any significant past damage and repairs that were made.

Once a buyer has made an offer and youve accepted it, youll need to follow mandatory disclosure laws and provide information on any known damage or hazards. That could include everything from lead paint and water damage to broken appliances and disputes over the property line. Failing to provide this information could lead to a lawsuit later.

Documents Needed to Complete the Transaction
A purchase offer spells out the agreement between the buyer and seller. The real estate agents or attorneys representing the buyer and seller will later draft a final purchase and sale agreement that includes specifics on the sale price as well as other terms, such as the closing date and contingencies.

The buyer will most likely have the house inspected to find out about any problems. If anything serious is discovered, you and the buyer will need to decide whether youll make repairs before closing or lower the asking price.

If the buyer will need to get a mortgage to buy the house, the lender will require an appraisal to determine its value. The appraiser will provide the buyer with a report, and a copy will be made available to you.

The deed is a document that officially transfers ownership from the seller(s) to the buyer(s). It will include the names of all parties involved in the transaction and a description of the property itself.

Working With the Right Real Estate Agent Is Key
Selling a house is complicated. Your real estate agent should be able to guide you through the process. When interviewing agents, look for someone who has the knowledge and patience to walk you through all the steps and the documents thatll be required and to answer all your questions.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Is it time to revamp your homes outdoor living situation? Whether you need to stage the backyard for prospective buyers or simply replace outdoor furniture thats seen one too many seasons, there are plenty of decor options for breathing new life into your backyard. Here are a few ideas to get you well on your way to a stunning living area in the open air:

Suspended Chairs
If you have a veranda or covered terrace, suspended chairs that hang from the ceiling are far from ordinary patio furniture and will add a touch of flair. Just imagine curling up with a good book and gently swaying in the breeze all day long during the summer.

Luxurious Daybeds
When all you want to do is lie out in the sun and laze the day away, nothing beats a daybed in your backyard. Put it by the pool, next to the firepit, or under the shade of a tree, because wherever it goes, youre guaranteed to enjoy the pinnacle of leisure time.

Outdoor Bar Cart
Who wants to run all the way to the kitchen to fix a drink when the sun starts to set? A bar cart is a great solution for effortlessly serving refreshments al fresco during backyard parties. You can stock it up with juice for the kids or keep all the essential accoutrements for mixing your favorite cocktail at the end of the day.

Spacious Sectionals
For those who need ample seating to accommodate friends and family, a sectional is the perfect way to bring indoor comforts into your backyard. A must-have item for outdoor entertaining, everyone can gather around and enjoy the fresh air while spending time together.

Mesmerizing Lanterns
After the sun goes down, you can set the mood with chic lanterns that provide a warm glow. Ideal for intimate dinner parties or quiet evenings on the terrace, the flickering flame of a gas lantern is a sophisticated and stylish lighting solution thats sure to make your backyard a memorable setting.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few tips to help design the perfect home bar.

Identify the Details

Determine where the home bar will work best.

Consider seating, storage, as well as equipment that will be needed, and try to incorporate it into or nearby your entertaining areas.

Get Inspired

Think about the atmosphere and dcor of your favorite bars or restaurants.

How can it be replicated in your home bar?

Tailor to Your Tastes

The style of the bar should be both consistent with your homes aesthetic and a reflection of what you enjoy drinking.

Presentation

Its all in the details, like a mirrored backsplash or moody lighting that sets the tone.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Saving for a down payment can be a challenge. But its not impossible.

While a 20 percent down payment isnt necessarily the norm anymore, most loans require some money down from buyers.

Coming up with these funds can be a sticking point on the path to homeownership, especially when you consider that a 10 percent down payment on a $230,000 home requires having $23,000 in cash.

If a home purchase is on the horizon, here are a few ways you can begin saving for a down payment before crunch time sets in.

Automatic Savings
While you may already be doing this for your retirement account, a college savings account for your child, or any other savings account for a long-term goal, set up a separate automatic savings account at your bank specifically for a down payment. This will ensure that money is automatically transferred from your checking account on a regular basis.

If youre buying a home with your spouse, be sure to put the new account in both of your names”and require that both of you need to approve any withdrawals. Alternatively, you could set up a brokerage or investment account and buy low-risk investments for a year or so to truly make your money work for you.

Cut Expenses
This may be an obvious move that youre already taking advantage of, but it cant hurt to double check what youve done and see if you can cut anything else out of the picture.

To get started, take a look at your finances and see what you can cut back on”or eliminate entirely. Also, work on paying off high-interest credit cards first.

Borrowing From Relatives, Retirement
If youre still struggling to save, you may want to consider asking relatives for help.

Whether your parents are willing to gift you money so that you have enough to cover the down payment on your dream home, or relatives offer to step in and provide a zero-interest loan that you can pay back over the course of a few years, be sure to understand everything that borrowing from the family entails.

Another option includes borrowing against your retirement plan. Some 401(k) retirement plans have penalty-free withdrawals, while others allow employees to borrow against their savings to purchase a home. Youre basically repaying yourself for the loan, but its critical to pay it back in a timely manner, as waiting too long could hurt the balance of your retirement account.

These options can be tricky, so dont commit to them unless youre 100-percent comfortable with everything that comes along with them.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.