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One year into home ownership, Carrie Comer already knows the countless benefits to no longer renting. A longtime apartment-dweller, she bought her first home last year.

“It’s about security, peace of mind, safety, confidence,” said Comer, a member of AFT Local 1 in Chicago, Ill. “I have a son; for him, it’s stability. Home ownership means a lot.”

The sweetness of the security and stability just got a little sweeter for Comer, who was a second-place winner in the Union Plus Home Sweet Home contest.

Homeowners with a Union Plus Mortgage were eligible to win either a first-place prize of two monthly mortgage payments or a second-place prize of one monthly mortgage payment (up to $1500 each). Contestants simply needed to upload a photo of their homes and submit an essay explaining what home ownership means to them.

“I was on the Union Plus website looking for car rental discounts and just came about it, so I decided to apply,” Comer said. “The process was simple as far as uploading the picture and the statement was genuine about what being a homeowner means. It made it pretty easy.”

Perfect Timing

Comer, who teaches preschool special education, said the timing of the prize money was perfect.

“I’m a teacher, so we don’t get paid in the summer,” she said. “They allowed me to choose the month, but June was the perfect month.”

One payment may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but Comer said it goes a long way.

“It makes a huge difference, regardless of whether I was working in the summer or not,” she said. “There’s always something that can be done with extra money. I’m a homeowner now, so I’m finding projects; that’s what I’m going to put it toward. Everything helps in this economy.”

More Security, More Freedom

Comer was introduced to the Union Plus Mortgage program through her mortgage officer, who explained the program to her.

“The process of obtaining it was simple as far as getting someone to sign the paperwork verifying that I am a union member,” she said. “Moving forward, there wasn’t anything that hindered my ability to obtain it.”

That meant freedom from apartment living.

“I had some bad experiences with renting,” Comer said. “You don’t control who’s in your building; you can get a bad tenant below or above you. And I just didn’t feel safe anymore. There are so many more benefits to home ownership as opposed to renting.”

Moreover, the Union Plus Mortgage program meant additional peace of mind.

”My interest rate won’t change; it’s a fixed rate,” said Comer.

The Benefits of a Union Mortgage Program

The Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, has provided $43.6 billion in mortgages to help more than 200,000 union members and their families buy or refinance a home. It is packed with special benefits tailored to meet the needs of active or retired union members, as well as their parents and children, who want to buy or refinance a home. Union members who are first-time buyers even have the opportunity to receive a $500 First-Time Home Award from Union Plus.

Some of the other benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage program include:

• Hardship Assistance – Union Plus Mortgage Assistance helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided almost $10 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
• Award Card – Union members and their families may receive a $500 Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award card after closing on a purchase or refinance loan.*
• Incentive for First-Time Home Buyers – Union members who are first-time buyers can apply for a $500 First-Time Home Award from Union Plus. Active or retired union members who used the Union Plus Mortgage program to purchase their first home are eligible to apply. They simply need to fill out an application and provide a short, written description of their Union Plus Mortgage program experience and why home ownership matters.

Click here to learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage program >>

And if you have a home to buy or sell, look into Union Plus Real Estate Services, which provides discounts to union families, over 6,000 experienced, pre-screened agents nationwide, and even offers a cash-back rebate program, available in most states.

Your union and Union Plus are looking out for you. 

*Eligible individuals can receive the Wells Fargo My Mortgage Gift^SM promotion in the amount of $500.00 approximately 6 weeks after closing on a new purchase or refinance loan secured by a first mortgage or deed of trust with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, subject to qualification, approval and closing, when identifying themselves as eligible under the Union Plus Mortgage program. The My Mortgage Gift^SM promotion is not available with any Wells Fargo Three-Step Refinance SYSTEM® program, The Relocation Mortgage Program^SM or the HOME program. Only one award permitted per new loan. This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount or rebate. This promotion is void where prohibited, transferable, and subject to change or cancellation with no prior notice. Gifts may constitute taxable income. Federal, state and local taxes, and any use of the gift not otherwise specified in the Terms and Conditions provided at receipt of gift are the sole responsibility of the My Mortgage Gift^SM recipient. Please see Terms and Conditions document for more information.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801

Being part of a union family has benefitted Megan McClain of Cedar Lake, IN, throughout her life. Her father's union wages and benefits meant security and opportunity during her childhood. Today, she's still benefitting from her father's UA membership thanks to the Union Plus Mortgage Program, which helped her buy her first new home.

"As a young kid I had no idea what a union was," Megan McClain says. "But my father would go to UA meetings, and my mother would always tell me how important our union health care was. It made me feel secure, knowing I'd be OK."

Her father, Daniel McClain, joined United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 597 when he was 19 years old and recently retired after 41 years.

Megan wanted the feeling of security that comes from owning her own home. "But as a first-time home buyer," she says, "I was nervous for obvious reasons. Will I get approved? Will I be able to get a loan to fit my needs? Will I be able to afford the closing costs?"

First-time home buyers may be unaware that closing costs can add thousands of dollars to the cost of purchasing a home. "I'd heard nothing but haunted stories about closing costs. To my surprise, another perk from Union Plus came my way - they were able to lower my closing costs significantly. Saving big on closing costs is like winning the lottery!"

Union Plus Mortgages Offer a Safety Net

The Union Plus Mortgage Program, which can help union members, their parents and children save $495 or more in closing costs, is a smart choice in tough times. And the tougher the times get, the better it can be to have a union mortgage!

That's because only the Union Plus Mortgage Program comes with assistance benefits. The Mortgage Assistance Program, a union-only program, can cover your Union Plus Mortgage payment if you're out of work due to unemployment, disability, or strike. The program provides interest-free loans to union members, as well as their parents and children, who have had a Union Plus Mortgage for 12 months or more. The first $1,000 of the loan is a grant that never needs to be repaid.

"We went through a strike in my second year as a teacher," McClain, a unionized teacher says. "So I know how valuable that peace of mind can be."

Beyond the savings and peace of mind, there is one more reason to choose a union mortgage. First-time home buyers who choose the Union Plus Mortgage Program may apply for the First-Time Homebuyer Award: a $500 check to help cover costs associated with your new home. Since the program's inception, more than $300,000 have been awarded: the perfect welcome to a new home.

These days McClain just loves being a homeowner. "It is fabulous to wake up, look around, and actually see all your hard work and long-time savings," she says. "I get such a feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment to see how far I have come. The day I was given my keys was the day I finally felt my dream come true. Thanks to Union Plus, a childhood dream became a reality."

From her secure union childhood to the security of homeownership with a union mortgage, unions have helped Megan McClain achieve the American dream. And her father couldn't be more proud. "I'm thankful she could benefit again from my years of union membership," Daniel McClain says.
 

For IBEW Local 25 member Jared Crist, moving his wife, Allison, and two-year old daughter to a new house was important.

He wanted a bigger house for her to grow up in, as well as a better school district for her to attend. Buying a new house in Mount Sinai, NY, while also selling their current home, was quite a task though. That’s where participating SIRVA agent, Cathleen, stepped in.

“Everything she said happened,” Allison recalls. “She guided us through the process of purchasing our new house, and as soon as our offer was accepted she helped list our old home. She was knowledgeable, knew the area, and helped us get multiple offers within one week because she priced it well.”

Allison was paying her Union Plus Credit Card bill when she noticed other services from Union Plus offers. When going through those benefits, she noticed those that offered help with moving. 

“I saw the PODs discounts which I thought would be helpful, but then I noticed the SIRVA Real Estate Rewards program,” Allison said. There is no pressure from SIRVA; they set up multiple interviews with real estate agents and we got to interview them. If you don’t like the ones they set up, they’ll set up more interviews, no questions asked. That wasn’t the case for us, though. Cathleen was our first interview and we loved her,” Allison said.

After the Crist’s offer was accepted, they were speaking with the inspector of their new home.

“I called and they said we were eligible for the Union Plus Mortgage program because my husband was a union member,” Allison said.” We got [a] $500 gift card which was a great benefit with our mortgage.”

Now that the Crist’s are settled into their new house with the help of their SIRVA agent, they can enjoy spending time with their daughter.

“We’re excited we have a house like this for her to grow up in. We couldn’t have done it without Cathleen.”

The Union Plus Real Estate Program, powered by SIRVA¹, offers $50 for every $10,000 in home value after closing when you use a Union Plus Real Estate Rewards agent to buy or sell a home. For example, if you purchase a $250,000 home, you would receive $1,250 back. Every SIRVA agent is pre-screened, with over 4,600 agents participating in the program.

To learn more about the Union Plus benefits offered to IBEW members, visit unionplus.org.

At an age when many are living in a house full of roommates, bunking at a friend's home, or sleeping in their childhood bedroom, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 1546 member, Carlos Martinez stands out among his generation. Thanks to the Union Plus Mortgage program, Martinez, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, has already achieved the American dream of home ownership.  Martinez exemplifies how the Union Plus Mortgage program can help active and retired union members and their families own a home of their own. 

The Union Plus Mortgage program with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, features unique benefits designed to meet the needs of union families. The program has provided over $43 billion in mortgages to help more than 260,000 union members buy or refinance a home. 

Union Plus Mortgage program benefits are available to retired and active union members, their parents and children. Some of the benefits of the program include:

Some of the other benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage program include:

• Hardship Assistance¹ – Union Plus Mortgage Assistance helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided more than $11 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
• Award Card – Union members and their families receive a Wells Fargo My Mortgage Gift^SM award card after closing on a purchase or refinance loan.²

"I really am glad that my loan officer at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage told me I was eligible for a Union Plus Mortgage," says Martinez. "I not only got a mortgage I could afford, I also now have special protections to help pay my mortgage if I can't work. I don't know of another mortgage that would help union members the way the Union Plus Mortgage does”. 

Martinez adds, "My fiancée and I are excited to start our lives together in our own home.  It's a good size rambler and because it was just renovated, we don't need to do any major work on it.  Plus, it's a great neighborhood -- the people are friendly and they are family-oriented. It's a great fit. Thank you, Union Plus, for helping me achieve my goals every step of the way. Buying a home can be stressful, but Union Plus and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage had my back." 

Martinez' new home is a short drive to the food processing plant where he has worked for the past three years. It is the same facility where his father, Carlos Martinez, Sr., also a member of UFCW Local 1546, has worked for 17 years. Despite having grown up in a union household, Martinez was unaware of all the Union Plus discounts and services available to union families. 

"I'm glad I didn't miss out. I hope union members check out all the Union Plus discounts, and if they're looking to buy a house, they need to check out the mortgage program. Union Plus Mortgage is the best program. It can save you money, give you financial security if you can't work, and help with the expense of being a homeowner," says Martinez.
 

One out of every 200 homes will be foreclosed according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. For a city the size of Washington, DC, that’s as much as 3,000 homes per year. And what does foreclosure look like?

According to the Homeownership Preservation Foundation:

• 32% experienced a job loss.
• 25% experienced a health crisis.
• 85% have already missed one mortgage payment.
• Most have no savings, no available credit, and extended families have limited resources.
• Most have first-time loans, less than three years old.

These are scary situations, but not necessarily uncommon ones. Although foreclosures and delinquencies have dropped to pre-2007 levels, knowing what to do can be the difference that saves your home. If you are a union member, you have resources available when things go bad, and to help make sure things don’t get worse.

Union Plus Save My Home Hotline – This program is provided through the non-profit Money Management Institute (MMI), and is accredited to provide counseling for labor union members facing foreclosure. This program has the largest network of local offices, for those who don’t prefer counseling by phone.

Union Plus Mortgage Program – The Union Plus Mortgage program can help you purchase a home while also receiving special benefits by virtue of your union membership. Once you have a Union Plus mortgage for a year or more, you're protected with unique mortgage assistance program administered through the AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan.

The Union Plus Mortgage Assistance provides interest-free loans and grants to help make mortgage payments when you're disabled, unemployed, locked out or on strike. The program has provided over $10.6 million in assistance to union members.

Foreclosure Resources from the AFL-CIO – Knowledge is power when it comes to saving your home. The AFL-CIO’s website has a robust list of information regarding what to do in this situation, including:

• Rights during foreclosure
• Federally approved housing counselors
• Legal Assistance
• And information regarding negotiating a mortgage modification with your bank

AFL-CIO Community Services Network – The AFL-CIO Community Services Programs were established to improve the lives of workers and their families by connecting to their human and social services needs. Some of the services they provide include an emergency assistance fund, information and referral services, lay-off & strike preparation, and educational workshops.

Here are some tips and tricks for ensuring your MLS listing catches some attention.

Hire or DIY

This is the first decision you need to make. Whether you’re FSBO or have a realtor – think about investing in having a professional take pictures of your home. They will have a good eye for lighting, camera angles to make your home larger and also special lenses to enhance the look of your rooms. If you enjoy photography and have a good camera – there’s no reason to shy away from the job, but just be sure to follow the below steps to ensure you’re thinking about everything before you begin.

De-Clutter and De-Personalize

This is something you’ll hear from a realtor when getting your home “show ready” – the less clutter and personal items, the better. Invest in totes or an actual storage service if you’re not ready to get rid of things.

Light

When you take pictures, make sure it’s during the brightest point of the day (in your home). Depending on where your windows are located and the position of your home – it could be in the morning or afternoon. Open all blinds and shades to let ample light in and notice how much more inviting your home will look in your pictures.

Set the Scene

Think about buying fresh flowers for your dining room table, side tables, bathrooms or guest room. Set your dining room table with a beautiful tablecloth and place settings. Buy potted flowers for your porch and back yard. Buy a cozy throw to add color to your couch or bedroom. Remember you can always re-use things like plants and flowers in multiple rooms to add a pop of color to your pictures. Get inspired by thumbing through recent Pottery Barn magazines to see how they’ve staged their rooms – even the smallest details can make a big difference.

Highlight Your Best Features

If you have a beautiful kitchen or large backyard – be sure to highlight these areas with multiple pictures. You can never have too many good pictures for prospective buyers to view.
 

With these tips, you shouldn’t have any issues capturing some attractive pictures of your home. If you’re interested in learning more about the Union Plus Real Estate Rewards Program or for a SIRVA-Approved real estate agent in your area, you can contact 800-284-9756. If you decided to use one of our pre-screened agents, you can receive $50 cash back after closing for every $10,000 of home sale or purchase price.*Click here to learn more >>

Union members looking for the complete ratings, as well as expert advice on the highest rated consumer products, make sure to sign up for ConsumerReports.org with your Union Plus 27% online subscription discount.

Real estate is a local experience, so be prepared for varying conditions depending on where you live. In much of the Midwest, West, and South, for example, sellers have the most leverage, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. But buyers have the advantage in the Northeast and Midwest. In especially hot markets like San Francisco, Seattle, and Dallas, final sale prices are usually at or above asking, and bidding wars are not unheard of.

Even so, there’s plenty you can do to affect how much money you make on a home sale or spend on a purchase, according to our survey of real estate pros. A lot, it turns out, rides on your choice of real estate agent. A disturbing finding of our survey was that 86 percent of agents said they witnessed other agents engaging in poor business practices, which could cost consumers money. About a third said they saw agents steer buyers toward homes that would give them higher commissions. Others said some brokers exaggerate when marketing themselves. And 27 percent knew of brokers who tried to persuade clients to sell a home for less than it was worth.

In a typical transaction, the money you stand to gain from making smart moves—or lose from making poor ones—can be substantial, from 11 to 20 percent of a home’s value, according to our survey. Dodging the following errors will lead to the smoothest, most profitable buying or selling experience.

Home-Buying Blunders

Rushing into a Deal

One of the more costly mistakes home buyers make is agreeing to too high a price on a home, according to the real estate agents in our survey. A related mistake is overestimating one’s knowledge of the real estate market. “It’s not until you’ve been in the market in a particular area for a while that you know what homes are really worth,” says Brendon DeSimone, a real estate agent and author of “Next Generation Real Estate: New Rules for Smarter Home Buying & Faster Selling” (Changing Lives Press, 2014). “If you make an offer on the first house you fall in love with, you risk spending too much based on emotion, not practical sense.” So take your time, go see lots of homes, and get a good idea of the local price scale. A tip: If you do enter into negotiations on a house and they come to a standstill, don’t be afraid to walk away.

Biting Off More than You Can Chew

Of the surveyed agents, 33 percent said another mistake customers make that puts them in a more financially untenable situation is underestimating the costs of home ownership. It’s not enough to calculate the monthly mortgage. You also need to factor in your closing costs and all of the additional fees you’ll owe. Many of the fees are negotiable, such as the home inspector’s fee, the cost to do a title search, and your attorney’s fee. And find out what the current homeowner pays for utilities, taxes, and other monthly costs, so you can be sure you can really afford that home. Also get estimates for repairs you want to make to the home before you move in.

Failing to Upgrade Your Credit Score

To get the most favorable rate on a loan, you have to have a strong credit profile, and that means a credit score of at least 740, says Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com. Recently, if your score was 740 and you applied for a $300,000, 30-year fixed mortgage, you could qualify for a 3.75 percent interest rate, with monthly payments of $1,389. If your score was below 680, the best national rate we found on Bankrate.com was 4.25 percent, with a monthly payment of $1,476 for the same loan; over the life of the loan, you’d pay $31,130 more. Don’t wait until the last minute to scrutinize your credit reports and make any necessary changes to improve your profile. If you find errors, be sure to dispute them.

Not Shopping Around for a Mortgage

When shopping for that mortgage, sticking with your regular bank could be costly. Approach several lenders, including banks and credit unions. You can search for national deals on Bankrate.com. We don’t recommend that you hire a mortgage broker to do that because he may be more focused on selling you a mortgage than getting you the best deal. And get pre-approved for a loan before you shop; sellers take preapproved buyers more seriously.

Skipping the Home Inspection

“One of the biggest causes of buyer’s remorse I see is people who do not do a home inspection and find out later there were big problems with the house,” says Betty Gross, a real estate agent in New York. You want to be present during the inspection to learn about any costly repairs that might be needed and to get basic info on the home, such as where the electrical panel is and where you shut off the water. A home inspector can also point out repairs that will need to be done in the next few years. You can find licensed home inspectors in your area on the website of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Overpricing Your Home

This is the most costly mistake, cited by 43 percent of surveyed agents. “If you price it too high, it will just sit on the market, agents will stop showing it, and buyers will assume there’s something wrong with it,” says Jeanette Cook, a real estate agent in Burlingame Hills, Calif., a suburb of San Francisco. “You may have to drop the price far below what you think it’s worth just to entice people to look at it again.” A good agent will show sellers the sale price for at least five similar homes nearby that sold in the past two months.

Overpaying the Commission

Unless your agent is a close relative or friend, he or she will charge a commission, or percentage of the sale price, and may even lead you to believe that the fee is inflexible. But, in fact, 63 percent of the real estate agents in our survey admitted that they negotiate their fees at least half of the time. And despite the widely held belief that 6 percent is the standard broker’s commission, almost half of the agents we surveyed typically charge just 4 percent or less.

Hiring the First Agent You Meet

Selling a home is one of the biggest financial transactions most people make, so you need to have someone you trust. Ask friends and family for recommendations and meet with at least three candidates. You can often find an agent’s state license number on his or her site, or you can ask for it. Then do a Google search for “(name-of-your-state) real estate licensing division.” Some state real estate licensing divisions will disclose complaints that have been filed or whether a license has been temporarily suspended. And see whether an agent you want to hire is a member of the National Association of Realtors; members are supposed to adhere to a strict code of ethics. Check references from at least three recent clients.

Neglecting to Do a Google Search For Your Address

Make sure nothing negative comes up, such as an old lawsuit or public records that have inaccurate information about your home’s number of bedrooms, say. Also check your home’s street view on Google Maps. If it fails to show improvements you’ve made, make sure your broker addresses that in the listing.

Putting Your Home on the Market Before It’s Ready

Don’t put the “for sale” sign on your lawn until it’s show time, says DeSimone. With 92 percent of home buyers using the Internet as part of their search, according to the National Association of Realtors, photos are key. “You wouldn’t put a picture of yourself wearing a bathrobe on Match.com,” he says. “Your agent should arrange for a professional photographer to take shots of every room and your yard.”

What's the Down Payment?

It's the amount of the purchase price you'll pay at your loan closing. The rest of the purchase price is then financed into a mortgage loan. Be sure to note:

• The more money you have available for a down payment on your home, the less you'll have to borrow.
• Your down payment amount can influence the financing options and interest rates available to you.

Keeping Your Down Payment Amount Down

Today there are financing programs with lower down payment requirements for qualified applicants, such as:

• VA loans with low- and no-down-payment options for veterans
• FHA loans with a 3.5% down payment requirement

Keep in mind - if you make less than a 20% down payment, you'll likely be required to purchase mortgage insurance (MI), adding to the cost of your loan and increasing your monthly payment. The premium for mortgage insurance, which protects the lender if you're unable to make your mortgage payments, is generally added to your monthly payment.

Help From Other Sources

Some loan programs allow you to use monetary gifts from family or friends as part or all of your down payment. Please note that:

• You may be required to provide written proof that the funds were truly a gift and not a personal loan.
• There are limits on how much gift money you can receive per year without increasing your tax obligations.
• It's a good idea to speak with a financial advisor, tax accountant and a home mortgage consultant about impacts to your overall home financing plans and future goals.

Assistance is also available through:

• Groups like Habitat for Humanity.
• Not-for-profit down payment assistance programs (DAPs). They provide funds to qualified homebuyers to help with down payments and closing costs - and many don't require repayment if you meet their guidelines.

Tips on Saving for a Down Payment

If you're looking to buy a home today, or someday, it's never too early to start building up your personal savings.

• Pay yourself first. Think of your down payment as a monthly bill. Figure out a manageable amount and set up an automatic monthly transfer from your checking account to a dedicated down payment savings account.
• Spend less and save more. Separate "wants" from "needs" - keeping in mind that what you want most is a home. The less you spend on what you don't need, the more you'll be able to save for a down payment.
• Track your spending. Record everything you pay for every month - by item and price. Compare the total to your monthly income. You'll surely find expenses to cut and money to redirect to your down payment savings.

Learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage program and its unique union benefits.

Finding a new dream home can be an emotional nightmare. From the work it takes to search through houses, to build a relationship with a real estate agent and to qualify for a loan, you are probably exhausted even before attempting to move that awkward-to-hold couch into your new place.
 

1. Budget

   Figure out how much money you have available to spend against what tasks you can realistically handle on your own. This will help determine how much to let the professional movers handle.
   
    

2. Get an Estimate

   Make sure to get a free estimate before hiring movers, which most moving companies provide. Union members can get a free quote from Union Plus' two professional moving discount providers, NorthAmerican Van Lines and Allied Van Lines. And for self-moves, check out Union Plus Budget rental discounts.
   
    

3. Know Which Items Need to Be Packed

   Prior to your move, assess your household inventory. Only taking items worth keeping can save a lot of time and money. You can put your other belongings to good use by donating them or selling them at a garage sale. Need to move a vehicle?  Don't miss these tips and get a free quote.
   
    

4. Lock in a Move Date

   Once you receive estimates from a mover, ask them about availability. If you have specific moving days in mind, don't hesitate to lock in your moving dates - even if your plans are not necessary set in place.  It is generally easier for moving companies to delay your packing and loading dates than to schedule dates with only a week's notice.
   
    

5. Plan Ahead as Much as Possible

   The more time that you can allow for pre-planning, the better. Start getting moving quotes no less than 30 days from your anticipated move date.  During the summertime, even more time may be required.
   
    

6. Adjust for the Change of Address

   Take the necessary steps to discontinue your current household services and utilities, and schedule these services for your new home. Make sure your change of address is reflected where important.

And check out these other Union Plus relocation services and savings:

• Union Plus Moving Discounts
• Budget Truck Rental Discounts
• Union Plus Mortgage

Have your own moving tip? Tell us below!

Know Your Market

Look at trend reports for your area to get a sense for your market – are homes selling? Where are they selling? When are they selling? And, at what price point? You’ll notice that in some areas certain neighborhoods, price points or types of homes might be selling quicker than others. Look for these trends so that you can better position your home when you list it.

Not Getting on the MLS

Getting your home on the MLS is extremely important. Adding your listing to ancillary sites like Zillow or Trulia is also a good idea – but, typically your real estate agent will manage this for you.

Not Even Considering a Real Estate Agent

If you’re looking at the dollars and cents, you might be apprehensive about hiring a real estate agent. But, before you make a final decision consider this:

• You will most likely have to pay for the buying agent out-of-pocket, so your listing agent would (typically) only be a 3% commission on the sales price.
   
• Calculate 3% of your home price and think about the hours it might take away from your work or home life to market and show your home.
   
• If you don’t have a real estate agent, you might need to pay for a lawyer to double-check your contracts (which will cost some money).
   
• Agents have access to numerous marketing tools and sites, not available to the public.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Union Plus Real Estate Rewards Program* or for a SIRVA-Approved real estate agent in your area, you can contact 800-284-9756. If you decided to use one of our pre-screened agents, you can receive $50 cash back after closing for every $10,000 of home sale or purchase price.

Click here to learn more >>