Do you really want to withhold your property from the widest possible audience just to give your agent a chance to bank the entire commission, or at least keep the payday in-house?

This agent – licensed in another state – sold his parent’s home in a highly sought-after area in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., for $100,000 over the asking price, but regrets his decision.

Which would you rather pay a real estate agent to help you sell your $450,000 house: a 6 percent sales commission or $27,000? They’re exactly the same amounts, of course, but one sounds a lot less.

In the market for a newly constructed house? You might want to hurry. Soon, new homes are likely to cost more and take longer to build.

Collectively, real estate agents don’t always have the greatest reputation, even if it’s probably undeserved. But some agents really cross the line. Here’s a listing of some of the biggest red flags.

Hurricanes, fires, floods: If you’re struck by one of these disasters, you’re going to need money. The good news is that there are numerous financial resources available.

When a family member passes away, their loved ones sometimes become homeowners unexpectedly. In these situations, servicers are supposed to help, but some just steer borrowers into costly refinances.

The National Flood Insurance Program is working on allowing policyholders to pay their premiums on a monthly basis. Previously, premiums could only be paid annually.

Real estate has its differences – like the difference between spec houses and custom-built homes, or between a pending sale and a completed one.

To Mark Milam, a mortgage banker and loan originator in Atlanta, said many current proposals are like “swallowing an aspirin next year for a headache you have now.”