You’ve heard the stories: Maybe your neighbors sold their fixer-upper as is for $100,000 over asking price. Or your friends were deluged with crazed homebuyers engaged in a bidding war within 24 hours of putting their house on the market.

It’s no secret that today’s seller’s market is wilder and more competitive than it’s been in years, fueling sellers’ hopes of major profits if they list their own home, too. All of which could be true—but only if you gauge your market carefully, and handle your sale with care.

Over this holiday weekend, sit back, relax, and take in the beauty of what’s left of this season and enjoy your loved ones. Have a great Labor Day.

Being a real estate investor sounds like a lofty goal, but it may be more within your reach than you realize. Real estate investing doesn’t have to mean you have a massive portfolio, although maybe someday that’s the goal.

Buying your first investment property is enormous and likely pretty intimidating as well.

The following are general things to keep in mind that can apply universally regardless of your budget.

Determine Your Goal

Selling a house that needs work as-is is a challenge, but certainly not impossible. What helps when you’re selling a house that’s perhaps less-than-perfect is to research and understand your target market.

Be Realistic About the Situation

If you’re debating whether or not to sell your home as-is, you need to be realistic about your specific situation. A fixer-upper can be a house that’s generally in great shape but needs cosmetic updates to modernize it. On the opposite end of that spectrum, a home may have serious issues. For example, it might have plumbing, electrical, or foundation issues.

If you’re trying to decide when to sell your house, there may not be a better time to list than right now. The ultimate sellers’ market we’re in today won’t last forever. If you’re thinking of making a move, here are four reasons to put your house up for sale sooner rather than later.

1. Your House Will Likely Sell Quickly

Deciding to buy a house is huge—it’s one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make, if not the biggest. You search for the perfect home, and when you think you’ve found it, the next step is to make an offer.

What exactly does making an offer entail?

Before You Make An Offer