What does the word “contingency” mean in sales, especially in real estate? Contingency is a simple word from Latin roots meaning to hold together. Wait, if it means to hold together, why is it known as a way out of a contract? Well, consider buying real estate without any contingencies. Would you purchase a home if you couldn’t inspect it, do an appraisal, or check for termites? Or have a loan contingency if you need to get a mortgage? No, hopefully you wouldn’t. You need the contingency to hold the contract together even though, if a contingency isn’t fulfilled, the contract will die.

You hired a Realtor, prepared your property for market, kept your house in immaculate condition for showings, found an interested and qualified buyer, and you finally have a ratified (signed by buyer and seller) contract. Nothing else to do, right? On the contrary, though you’re nearing a sale, there is now a closing process, which should be managed carefully by your Realtor or a qualified member of his/her team. Considering the serious legal implications associated with such a large transaction, you’ll definitely want assistance from someone with plenty of experience in home sales.

There are festive lights and mistletoe all around us this time of year. You are wrapping presents, baking cookies, singing along to classic songs, curling up by the fire with a good book... and entertaining your children, grandchildren, parents, in-laws, and the multitude of extended family you might have joining you. How do you fill the down time, in between family meals and those holiday traditions you've had for years? Be sure to tune in On 12/23 for The Eric Stewart Show's Christmas Show on WMAL 105.9 FM at 8AM.

This is part of our 12 Days of Real Estate event happening NOW on ESG Social Media channels There are people who can walk into a room and visualize what it can become – a coat of paint here, an area rug there, crown molding, soft lighting . . . they can imagine the potential. Unfortunately, most people do not have this ability. Therefore, when selling your home, you don’t want to rely on potential buyers to perceive the appeal of your home on their own; you have to set the stage for them.

Contributed BY HELEN FLYNN, REALTOR® AND SRES® WITH THE ERIC STEWART GROUP As we move through this holiday season, many of us may be experiencing life changes or losses that make this time of year difficult. Helen Flynn, Realtor® with the Eric Stewart Group, has put together these tips for coping with the holidays especially for our readers.

How do you show your home to buyers when you have a pet? Pets are a part of the family for many home owners, and protecting Fido from running out the door when a buyer is walking through the property is of tantamount concern. Furthermore, some pets have annoying behaviors like incessant barking, or may even be aggressive and potentially harmful, so protecting the public from them is an issue. Let’s break this down from two perspectives: sensitivity to the pets and sensitivity to the buyers.

Many homeowners are under the impression that open houses are a powerful selling tactic but, according to the National Association of Realtors®, only one percent of homes sell this way. Let’s talk about potential pitfalls of open houses that may have you rethinking this option.

Contributed by Sara Foulkes, Realtor®, eric stewart group of Long & Foster When there are 100 reasons not to do something, what is it that compels you to go ahead and do it anyway? That’s right, I’m talking about the headache that is selling your home and moving to a new one. My name is Sara Foulkes, and this is how my family moved with three kids and a new puppy -- and why it was worth it.

Welcome to November! We hope you had a great Halloween and you're getting ready for colder temperatures to (finally) come next week. In this week's blog, we'll be listing out a few activities to look forward to this weekend and throughout the month November, including a Christmas Bazaar starting on the 10th!

Solar panels have increasingly become more and more popular these days. We are becoming more “pro-environment” than ever before; and the installation of solar panels on our homes is a great way to show that support. There are many benefits of installing solar panels on your home, including that they provide a reliable source of energy, they potentially lower your energy bills, and they reduce your carbon footprint. But when it comes to buying or selling a home, solar panels can be problematic if the parties aren’t familiar with the process of transferring them.