Whether you're a first-time home buyer or someone who has purchased and sold multiple times, this guide can help teach you or refresh your memory on the important steps of the process.

Thinking of going it alone? A for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) transaction requires time, know-how and confidence. Don't risk losing your largest asset if you know that you don't have all three. Enlisting the services of an agent — a professional who knows the ins and outs of listing and selling homes successfully — pays off.