An insider reveals how buyers and sellers can get the best price possible—by understanding how the housing market really works.

The process of buying or selling a home elicits a lot of emotions, from excitement to anxiety. Often, this can blind us to the practical realities of how the housing market works—especially since most people only enter the real estate world once a decade or less. Top residential real estate agent Tracy McLaughlin is here to change our understanding of the home sale process. Whether you're buying your first home or an experienced seller, this book is packed with essential advice.

In nearly all real estate sales, buyers and sellers leave behind thousands—or even hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars—on the table. As shocking as this is, it continually happens because one simple decision, among the countless made during the entire process, can greatly impact the outcome of the transaction. By presenting an inside view on sales based on years of experience, McLaughlin provides a guide for maximizing the value of the sale and purchase of homes—including detailed advice as well as tips on finding the right real estate agent.