Whether you're a home-buyer or a seller, it pays to understand the real estate market if you want to get a good deal. Unfortunately, a series of damaging ideas has grown up around real estate which can get in the way of a smooth transaction for both sides.

Here are six of the worst myths you need to ignore.

1) Spring is the Busiest Season.

Traditionally, the best time to list a home was in spring. This was because parents would try to move home over the summer holidays, minimizing the disruption to their children's education. Naturally, spring became the busiest season with the most homes appearing on the market.

However, today's home-buyer profile is a lot more varied than in the past. More than half of buyers are unmarried and have no children, and the school timetable is no longer nearly so relevant.

Instead, as a seller focus on getting your home In the best sale-ready condition you can before listing, rather than rushing to meet an outdated deadline. And as a buyer, start your search...

There are a multitude of reasons why a homeowner may be considering refinancing their mortgage. However, before any final decisions are made it is always a good idea to consider carefully whether refinancing is a good idea for you.

What is refinancing?

To refinance means to apply for a new loan on your current mortgage. Due to the fact that you are applying for a new loan, you will need to supply your lender with all of the details necessary for refinancing - this will include credit history, income history, your assets and the appraisal of your home to name just a few.

Reasons why most people refinance

The vast majority of mortgage refinances are completed in order to obtain a lower interest rate on a mortgage. After all, a lower interest rate can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

Some other reasons to refinance a mortgage would include: 

1.Stabilizing a monthly payment: Some homeowners opt to refinance their mortgages to switch from an adjustable-rate...

Selling your home is a big decision, and it's often a long and complex undertaking. Hiring a real estate agent can make every step of the home-selling process easier, from setting an asking price to closing the sale. Here are four benefits of hiring a real estate agent to sell your home.

Pricing Expertise

Many homeowners have an idea of what their houses are worth, but their ideas are often not realistic. Their perspective may be based on emotion and sentimental value, rather than what the housing market will bear. Conversely, some homeowners undervalue their homes and ask for much less than the home is really worth.

An experienced real estate agent is an expert on the home prices in your local market. An agent will suggest an asking price based on a Comparative Market Analysis. A market analysis examines supply and demand in the area, along with the price and condition of similar properties. A market analysis ensures your home will be priced in order to sell as quickly as possible for the...

For the vast majority of home buyers, obtaining a mortgage will be a vital part of the purchasing process. Of course, in order to be approved for that mortgage, you will need to ensure that your credit score is in good shape. Luckily, there are a few steps that you can take to boost your score before starting your application, such as:

Fix Reporting Errors

When compiling your credit report, it is not at all unusual for the credit bureaus to accidentally place an incorrect or inaccurate note in your file. For example, if an individual who shares your name has fallen behind on their car loan it can occasionally appear on your credit report. As such, before you apply for a mortgage, it is a good idea to check your report for any mistakes such as these. If you spot any mistakes, report them to the agencies and they should be able to remove the errors in a relatively timely manner. Once the negative mark has disappeared, your credit score will quickly move upwards.

Reduce Your Balances

Your ...

Selling your home can be a time-consuming process - a situation which is less than ideal if you want to move sooner rather than later. Luckily, though, there are a few things that you can do to speed up the process, such as:

1. Hire the right agent

You will have no trouble locating plenty of real estate agents who are willing to sell your property - but finding the right agent can make all the difference. Before you select the agent, ask them about their experience, the properties they have sold, and if they have sold any houses in your neighborhood recently. Also, conduct some research on the agent you have chosen by talking to some of their past clients. Put simply, if you wish to sell quickly, you should choose your agent very carefully.

2. Take the right pictures

In the age of the smartphone camera, your first instinct may be to be your own photographer. While this may work for vacations and other informal events, you should always hire a professional to photograph your house. These...