Selling your home is no small step, especially when faced with real estate terms that can baffle even the sharpest of minds. The list we’ve provided here is a good place to start in learning the vocabulary; it will help you navigate the selling and purchasing process with greater ease.

Real Estate Terms Every Home Seller Should Know

1. Appraisal Contingency

This clause permits a buyer to terminate a purchase agreement if the home appraises for less than the sale price. A lender never wants to give a loan that exceeds a property’s value. To avoid this, a licensed appraiser will be hired to evaluate the property and ensure the asking price is appropriate.

2. As-Is

If you market your home “as-is,” you’re essentially stating you will perform few, if any, of the repairs necessary. Alternatively, this term can also refer to the price if it’s lower than comparable homes in the area.

Last but not least, “as-is” may point to the condition of the home at the time of the offer. If the property changes between the offer and closing, you – the seller – must restore it to the same condition as when the offer came in.

3. Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions

These are commonly the rules enforced on real property by a homeowner’s association (HOA), builder, developer, or neighborhood association. They’re used to outline what a homeowner can rightfully do in relation to landscaping, holiday decorations, and other visible items. In some cases, monthly or annual fees must be paid to the governing association in exchange for services like lawn mowing and snow shoveling.

4. Conventional Sale

5. Due Diligence

6. Home Sale Contingency