Seller’s Checklist

PRIOR TO LISTING

  • Contact us to do a preliminary site inspection
    • Discuss current market conditions
    • Discuss staging ideas
    • Determine your objective – moving for a change of lifestyle, job transfer, etc.
  • If you are trading up or down, now would be a good time to talk to a lender to see if your objective can be met with your available resources of a bridge loan.
  • You may also want to discuss the sale with an accountant or financial advisor.

PREPARE HOME FOR THE MARKET

  • Pack rarely used items.
  • Focus attention on reducing clutter of all kinds in all areas of the home. It is important for a buyer to be able to imagine their items in your home.
  • Spruce up everything!
    • `Inside
      • Buy a Magic Eraser to help remove scuffs and scrapes on the walls, counters, cabinets and more
      • Repaint walls that are in need of a fresh look.
      • Deep clean everything on the inside with a discerning eye: floors, cabinets, showers, windows, carpets, bookshelves, everything!
      • Service furnace
    • Outside
      • Trim bushes and mow the lawn.
      • Wash sidewalks and driveways.
      • Remove all weeds and spread beauty bark.
      • Put out a few potted plants with fresh flowers that can easily be taken with you when you move
      • Wash the outside windows
      • Clean gutters, moss off roof.
  • As your Broker, we will worder your Title Report to assure that Title is clear and saleable.
  • If you have a condo, a resale certificate should be order the week of listing.
  • You will need to complete the Form 17 Seller Disclosure statement disclosing any defects you are aware of in the house. It is important that you answer each question as honestly as you know. Every question must be answered.
  • At the same time we will prepare a Listing Agreement for you to sign.
  • We will then set up a time with you for our professional photographer to take interior and exterior photographs of the home.
  • We will design a color flyer with marketing remarks that will be displayed in your home and on your For Sale sign.

HOME IS READY FOR THE MARKET

  • Listing gets input into the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
  • For Sale sign in placed in front of the home with flyers.
  • Directional arrows are placed on nearby streets.
  • In a busy market, now is a good time to take short vacations, stay with friends for a couple of days, or to have moved into your new home.
    • Flexibility is a must.
    • Brokers will always call ahead to let you know when they are coming if the home is occupied.
    • Sometimes Brokers and Buyers will be driving by your house and will want to show the house with little to
    • Brokers try to keep to a schedule as much as possible but the nature of showing houses to different people
  • Depending on the schedule for your area, we will also hold a Broker’s Open House the week the home goes on the market to allow Brokers from other offices and companies to preview the home.
  • At the end of the first week, we meet to discuss strategy and ensure all is going smoothly. no notice. Whenever possible, it’s best to try and accommodate. makes an exact schedule difficult. They may request a showing during a range of time (ex. 12-1pm)

OFFER RECEIVED

  • Once we have received an offer, we will review with you the various terms.
  • The Buyer Earnest Money will be deposited according to the contract terms.
  • The Buyer hires and Inspector within the contract terms, time is of the essence.
  • Buyer will send an appraiser to your home.
  • We coordinate with Escrow, Title, Inspectors, Appraisers and Lenders to ensure everything is running on schedule.

ESCROW

  • Escrow will request a copy of the preliminary title insurance policy; collect information from buyers, sellers and brokers as needed; order payoff information; clear outstanding issues (home loans, liens, vesting, etc.); and review the file for any additional information necessary to close the transaction.
  • Prepare any additional funds or closing costs to be available at your signing appointment such as cashing out stocks, bonds, or other investments. Some investment plans can take a few weeks to process so be prepared ahead of time. You must bring a Cashier’s Check to your signing or wire funds. No personal checks will be accepted.
  • Make sure to let your Escrow Officer know in advance if you will be out of town near your closing so that they can schedule accordingly.

CLOSING

  • 3-4 days prior to closing: Escrow receives loan documents from your lender and prepares them for closing. Immediately after documents are prepared the escrow officer schedules both parties for signing appointments.
  • 2-3 days prior to closing: Buyers and sellers sign closing documents.
  • Now is a good time to call utility companies to have service started or transferred out of your name (water, sewer, garbage, electricity, gas, cable, internet)
  • 1-2 days prior to closing: Lender reviews loan documents.
  • Closing day: Title recorded, funds disbursed and clients notified of closing.
  • Keys are delivered to Buyer.
  • Next Day funds delivered to Seller as set up with Escrow, often a wire transfer into Seller’s bank account.