When it comes to selling your home, it’s important to have knowledgeable professionals who are there to help you through the process. Don’t go it alone - make sure your interests are protected every step of the way by keeping the lines of communication open with both your realtor and your attorney’s office. We hope that this checklist will provide you with the information you need to smoothly maneuver your way from putting your house on the market to signing the closing papers! Selling a home can be a stressful time in your life…we hope, however, to make it an easier and more enjoyable experience for you!

       

        Norman E. Rogers, Jr., Esq.                             Bethany L. Monda, Paralegal

        nrogers@rogerslawfirm.com                             bmonda@rogerslawfirm.com

 

Prior to putting your home on the market, obtain a market analysis from a real estate agent or broker who you trust. Your realtor will help you determine the fair market value of your property as well as the best way to market your home to prospective buyers.

 Make sure you clearly discuss with your realtor which items of personal property, such as appliances, will be included in the sale. Typically, all lighting fixtures, curtain rods, plantings and the like are included in the sale. If there are any items that you plan to take with you and want specifically excluded from the listing, be sure to inform your realtor prior to their putting your property on the market.

 Ask your real estate agent for advice on any minor projects you can to do to make your home more appealing to potential buyers. You may also find helpful tips in the attached article.

 Make sure you keep your home neat, clean and organized for showings.

 When an offer comes in, discuss all pros and cons of that specific offer with your real estate agent and your attorney. Pay careful attention to any items written in to the standard contract, such as buyer’s requests for certain repairs to be done or for additional items of personal property that were not included in your listing that they’d like to be included in the sale. Also, you should take note of the dollar amount of the down payment being made and whether the buyer has requested a "hubbard clause." Your attorney can explain the legal ramifications of those items and how they may impact you should you choose to accept the offer. If you choose to accept the offer by signing the contract, make sure your realtor includes a 3- to 5-day attorney review period as a contingency to the contract.

Have your realtor provide a copy of the fully signed Contract to your attorney as soon as you sign it. Your attorney will then have ample time to review the terms of the contract and advise both you and your realtor regarding any items of concern.

If you are selling a condominium: you or your realtor should request the condo resaledocuments as soon as possible following the signing of the Contract. Once you receive these documents, they should be passed on to the buyer or buyer’s real estate agent for their careful review of the rules and regulations of the association. If there are any rules or regulations that the buyer just can’t live with, they do have five (5) days from the date they receive the condominium documents to terminate the Contract and have their deposit money returned to them.

 Following the buyer’s inspections of your property, you may receive a written request with items that the buyer would like you to repair, at your expense, prior to closing. It is, of course, completely within your discretion as to which items you will agree to take care of, if any. Remember, however, to be reasonable–if you and the buyer cannot come to a mutually agreeable resolution, the buyer does have the option to terminate the contract and have their deposit money returned to them. Any items you do agree to take care of should be completed by licensed professionals prior to closing. At closing, you will need to provide copies of paid receipts from the professionals who completed the work.

Speak with your attorney and obtain an estimate of your closing costs (any fees and costs which will be paid by you at the closing).

 Provide your attorney with the following information: Loan number(s) and customer service phone number(s) for any existing mortgages, home equity loans, and/or home equity lines of credit, Social security number(s) for all persons who own the property, Type of fuel you use to heat your house–if oil or propane, the name and phone number of your oil or propane company

As you near your closing date, speak with your attorney to coordinateadate, time and location for the closing. Typically, the closing will occur at the buyer’s attorney’s office at a time that will be mutually agreed upon by you, your attorney, the lender, the buyer, and the buyer’s attorney–coordinating that many people is sometimes difficult, so it’s best to be abit flexible in your schedule that day. As a seller,you often will have the option of signing the closing papers ahead of time to avoid having to attend the closing. Speak with your attorney to determine if that is an option for you.

Schedule your moving company for the date of the closing. All of your personal belongings should be removed from the property prior to the buyer’s final walk-through, which usually occurs just prior to the closing. The property needs to be left in broomclean condition–in other words, you should remove from the property: (1) all garbage, (2) all personal property that is not included in the sale, including anything in the basement, attic, garage and yard, and (3) any food in the refrigerator or freezer. Do NOT just leave items that you think the buyer might want or find useful, such as tools or left over paint–check with the buyer before hand and, if they do not want them left, be prepared to remove them from the property. Items that can and should always be left, however, include garage door openers, manuals and written warranties for any appliances, and any extra keys.

Contact local utility/service companies and your homeowner’s insurance company/agent to have service canceled as of the day of closing. Typical companies that you should contact include: Electric, Cable television or satellite company, Phone, Trash removal, Gas, if applicable, Fuel oil and/or propane provider, Internet, Homeowner’s insurance.

Attend the closing or meet with your attorney prior to closing to sign the closing papers. Any individuals who own the property must sign the closing papers.

 

 

1.Kick up the curb appeal.

•Often, potential buyers will drive by a property before deciding whether they want to take the time to see the inside of the house, so make sure your front door looks nice.

•Plant flowers that are in bloom and cutback overgrown plantings or bushes so that the true beauty of your home can be seen!

2.Clear away clutter.

•Put away personal photos, knick-knacks, and packed or partially packed boxes—anything that will distract the buyer’s attention from the house itself.

•Too much unnecessary clutter will be a red flag to a potential buyer that the house is lacking storage space, so pack up all unnecessary items and furniture and move it to a storage unit.

•Don’t forget the basement and garage–those areas should be neat and organized as well.

•Organize closets so buyers can see how much storage space your home really has!

3.Clean your house thoroughly.

•Make sure that your bathrooms and kitchen are sparkling clean–make sure to thoroughly scrub your shower or bath tub and wash the floors.

•Wash the windows, clean kitchen appliances, and make sure to clean inside cabinets and closets, where potential buyers will be checking out storage space.

4.Reduce odors.

•Unpleasant odors of pets, smoking and/or cooking can be a huge turn-off to potential buyers.Remove as many unpleasant odorsas you can.

•Prior to showings or open houses, light candles or bake cookies–those homey scents will attract buyers and make your home stand out in a good way.

5.Increase your home’s attractiveness, inside and out!

•Buyers are attracted to homes with a good flow and a pleasing appearance. Remove extra, unwanted furniture and arrange remaining pieces in a way that creates smooth traffic flow.

•Repaint rooms in neutral colors and make sure each room has a clear purpose.

•An extra room can easily and inexpensively be staged as a home office by clearing outclutter, painting the walls in a neutral tone and furnishing the room with a desk and shelving.

•Open up window shades to let sunlight in and make sure any rooms that don’t get much sunlight have plenty of artificial lighting so they don’t appear "dark and dingy."

6.Perform any necessary minor repairs.

•Carefully scrutinize your home from a buyer’s perspective:oil your door and window hinges, fix loose handrails, etc.

7.Replace outdated light fixtures.

•Wall sconces, recessed lighting or pendant lights are good alternatives to that single old-fashioned overhead fixture.

 

Inexpensive tips from the professionals:

1. Update old bathroom tile instead of replacing it – painting dated tile can make it look new!

a. Coat the tiles with a high-adhesion primer;

b. Brush on a special ceramic epoxy covering.

 

2. Replace an old vanity with a pedestal sink to show off your bathroom’s square footage.

 

3. The master bedroom should appeal to both men and women. Remove any gender-specific

features, paint the walls a neutral color and choose neutral bedding.

 

4. Tone down an overpowering brick fireplace with paint. Use a rag or brush to rub a light coat

of paint on the bricks, one at a time.

 

5. Stain dated kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them.

a. Apply the stain in even strokes, going with the grain of the wood.

b. Add some stylish new hardware.

 

6. Give your outdoor deck new life.

a. Sand the wood;

b. Cover it with a light-colored stain instead of paint to give it a rustic, grainy look

c. Furnish it for entertaining!


7. Paint shabby wood-paneled walls.

a. Use wood filler to carefully fill in all the cracks between the panels;

b. Use a sponge to wipe away the excess filler;

c. Once it's dry, paint the room.


8. Vinyl tile is an inexpensive way to update your home. Avoid laying patterns that look too

perfect. Instead, switch up the direction and placement of the tiles to mix the tones so that the floor has a natural feel.