In the "for-sale-by-owner" market, there are many steps in the selling process: determining the price at which to buy or sell: finding or advertising the home; showing the house; accepting bids and negotiating the tentative sale; obtaining a mortgage loan or other financing; and then making the final commitment.

By law in every state, that final commitment must be reduced to a written contract in the form of a purchase agreement. The purchase agreement is critical not only because it makes clear the intentions of the Buyer and Seller, but also because it is the guide for other participants in the transaction process, such as the lender, title examiner, title insurance company, and escrow agent.

In addition, most states require the Seller to make disclosures to the Buyer about the nature of the property and the existence of known hazards or defects at the time the purchase agreement is made. And even in those few states that have no such disclosure requirements, sound contractual practice dictates that they be made just the same. Whether required by state law or recommended, these disclosure statements serve the important purpose of making the Buyer aware of the condition of the home being purchased and fixing liability for hazards or defects, should problems arise after the sale.

Satisfying these requirements is not as complex as it first appears, provided that the documents needed can be obtained, and directions for completion of each is thorough and easy to understand. The question is where to find these materials. The answer is HomeSaleForms.com.