Jim Sharifi

Sometimes a home for sale will be listed as "active" one day and "contingent" the next. Contingent means the homeowner is in advanced talks with one potential buyer, and both parties have drawn up a list of conditions — or contingencies — they must meet before the sale officially happens. Think of contingencies as stipulations that the buyer, seller, or both, must agree to and complete before the property changes hands.

Key takeaways A detached (single‑family) house is a freestanding home that does not share walls, roofs or foundations, with full ownership of both the structure and the land, typically including yards and more interior living space. Advantages include greater privacy, more space for households and storage and more control over renovations or additions, since owners are generally not constrained by shared walls or building structures.

As you navigate a real estate transaction, comparables - or comps - are one of the most important tools at your disposal to help determine a home’s value. When you review comps, you’re analyzing recently sold homes that are similar in terms of condition, location and features. Comps provide essential data to price a home competitively and attract buyers, which ensures a smooth transaction.