Even though you wouldn't think there were as many items on a seller's checklist as a buyer's, you would be surprised. I started this to help sellers see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though they are at the mercy of the buyer's loan transaction, there are still many things to do. I started out at listing. There are plenty of things a seller can be doing to help the sale of their home go more smoothly.
You are welcome to use this as a guide to make your own, but my name is in here, so read carefully! Also, feel free to comment anything you think is missing or that I should add. I am an NC agent, so this checklist works well with my contract. Maybe it will for yours too?
Seller Closing Checklist
- Have spare key made for lockbox
- Clean home and put all pictures and personal items away. Take all items off the counters
- Pack and put away antiques and momentos. Pack and put away excess furniture.
- Have an inspector come to do a home inspection and repair and take care of maintenance items as noted (if applicable)
- Clean gutters. Make sure grass is cut, leaves are raked, mulch is fresh, trim bushes
- Vacuum, dust, move furniture to get dust balls as you do it. Pack as much as possible since you are MOVING soon!
- Hide all prescriptions, jewelry, money, medications, and anything of value that's small
- Get copies of plat, surveys, put flags on stakes (if there), septic plat, leech field?
- Provide all HOA contact information
- Do you have copies of your restrictive covenants for the neighborhood?
- Sign and review listing agreement. Review Seller's costs.
- Make sure you have filled out the residential property disclosure statement and Owner's association addendum (if applicable).
- Put sign in yard
- Sandy will send you copies of your documents by email, signed by firm and sellers
- Put signed copies of documents in a safe keeping place and not out on the counter
- Make sure to keep home clean and neat for showings at all times
- Turn lights on and make sure home smells nice before leaving each day
- If you must be home during a showing, just step outside when the buyers attend
- If you cook something that has a strong smell, air out the home as much as possible afterwards
- Keep the dog outside or in a crate. It's ok if they bark but better if they aren't jumping
- Take trash out as much as possible. Think "hotel" before you leave for work each day
- After Contract
- Make property available for 2nd and 3rd showings so that buyers can measure, inspect, etc.
- Wait for inspection repair agreement to come through by agent to see what buyers are requesting
- Negotiate repairs. Remember: You want to move, right? If you did an inspection before hand, this process is very smooth
- Have repairs done. See Sandy for a list of recommended contractors.
- After negotiations, order moving truck and start packing small items
- After buyer's loan is final approved and property has appraised, start Packing everything and have utilities cut off for closing date
- Buyer's final walk-thru to make sure you have repaired everything correctly and home in same shape at time of contract
- Look over HUD-1 Settlement statement with agent and make sure the numbers look correct
- Get directions to attorney's office. Will you attend closing? If not, who is power of attorney?
- Show up at closing with your driver's license. Bring a check (if applicable).
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