All agents are bound by law to deal fairly and ethically with the both buyer and seller. Because the seller usually hires estate agent, the agent's legal obligation is to the seller. It's up to you to make offers and accept counter offers. So be on you toes.

Once you've decided to sell your home, you will, of course, want to find a buyer and close the deal as quickly as possible. And the longer your home is on the market, the harder it becomes to find a buyer. A property that has been on the market for a few months might be seen as "stale" and this will make it even more difficult to sell. With that in mind, here are some tips for ensuring a quick sale.

If you're thinking of purchasing a newly-constructed home, you should first consider a variety of important factors. Many home buyers want brand-new homes because they're energy-efficient and offer the opportunity to choose specific design features. However, without the proper research, you may find your new home doesn't measure up to the specifications you desired.

If you're a first-time home buyer, you've probably discovered that you have a lot to learn - and unfortunately, it's all too easy to get burned. But don't be discouraged. By doing some research, you can avoid common first-time buyer mistakes.

First-time buyers typically have less money to spend on a home than more experienced property owners. If you're selling a smaller home, with one or two bedrooms and bathrooms, you may want to consider marketing your property as a starter home. To sell a starter home quickly, you'll have to balance affordability with attractiveness and utility. Starter homes tend to be less aesthetically pleasing, but a quick sale is possible if you can make up for it in other ways.

Spring is the traditional peak sales season for houses and condos. Summer is also usually very good until the traditional August slump, especially for families who want to relocate before school starts. More prospective home buyers are in the market at this time of the year than during any other season.

DEAR BOB: I plan to sell my home. Should I stay in my home while trying to sell it? We could move into our new home and leave the one we are trying to sell vacant. Which scenario will help sell our home faster? --Dana P. DEAR DANA: Your listing real estate agent is in the best position to advise you whether to stay or move during the sales process.

Next to buying a home or funding your children's education, buying a car is the most expensive purchase you'll make. And car-related expenses, such as gas, maintenance and insurance, can take a big bite out of your wallet. Kicking a few tires is only half the battle. Before you begin looking for a new car, you should know your limits and what you should be spending. Experts say you shouldn't spend more than 10 percent of your gross income on car expenses, which includes the cost of the car along with insurance, gas and maintenance.

Before zeroing in on the vehicle you want to buy-new or used-it pays to have your financing already in place. This will eliminate one more area where a dealer can slip a few more dollars from your pocket into his. There are several places to borrow the money: Brick-and-mortar banks and credit unions. You can get an auto loan from a bank, credit union or another financial institution. You can have these loans approved before you ever hit the showroom. These sources of financing will usually offer the lowest rates you'll find, and credit unions are generally lower than banks.

Theory's great and reality's scary. The answer is "yes." But there are several big "ifs" attached. The question? Oh, sorry and it's one I get asked so often I thought you might know what I was referring to. So let me back up. People from all walks of life are inundated through e-mail or snail mail with long-term, low-interest credit card offers. You know the type: 1.99 percent interest until the balance is paid off, or something similar.