If you’re preparing to put your home on the market, you are probably staying busy cleaning, de-cluttering, and starting to pack. You may also find time slipping away from you as you spend hours perusing Zillow searching for your dream home. However, have you even thought about gathering these important documents? By taking the time to locate the following items will make selling your home much easier. After all, you don’t want to find yourself unpacking box after box looking for that overstuffed home folder when you have a ready buyer prepared to purchase your home. So, do yourself a favor and gather these docs now; you’ll thank me later. 1. Survey When you purchased your home, you likely obtained a survey for the property. If you haven’t made many structural changes to the footprint of your home, and it hasn’t been five decades since you purchased the property, you can likely still use the survey when you sell the property. When a buyer submits an offer on your home, they can select to use the existing survey or opt for a new survey. If you have an existing, reliable survey, it’s unlikely the buyer will ask you to purchase a new one. A new survey will cost at least a few hundred dollars, so do yourself a favor and find that survey today. It’s important to make sure the survey has the surveyors seal; however, you don’t have to have the original copy. 2. Floor plans If you have existing floor plans for your home, find them. A prospective buyer may have different needs than you, and may want to alter the home to fit those needs. Floor plans make it easier for buyers to make an informed decision about the costs of remodeling. Floor plans also save buyers time and you the inconvenience of allowing them back into your home to take measurements. With a floor plan, a buyer can easily start imaging how their furniture would fit in your home. 3. Repair receipts Did you install a new roof a few years ago? How about HVAC work? These big ticket items are often areas of interest to prospective buyers. If you can provide documentation that a new roof was installed just last year, buyers will find your home more appealing knowing they won’t have to incur roof repair costs in the near future. It’s also good to document bids for repairs you didn’t make. Maybe you thought about adding an external propane tank so you could install a gas stove but you never did. Buyers may similarly express interest in installing a gas stove, and this bid could be the last piece propelling them to put an offer in on your home. 4. Loan Statement This one is muy importante! In order to determine how much you should list your home for, and to assess if an offer is acceptable to you, you must know how much money you have in the home. You likely receive a monthly statement from your loan provider and it will state the loan payoff amount. Keep this number in the back of your mind as you prepare to sell your home. 5. Utility Bills
Buyers often want to know about utility costs. This is another piece of the puzzle that makes up their monthly living costs. If you can provide documentation for your utility costs (especially if they are low) it will make it easier for a buyer to commit to your home. If you can find your statements for electric, water, gas, and trash for the last 12 months. You or your agent, can then average the costs to provide an estimate to prospective buyers. 6. Manuals and Warranties If you kept all your manuals for your appliances, good for you! A buyer will find these documents helpful and you can put them all in an envelope with a pretty little bow to deliver to them at closing. Warranties will work in your favor, if they are transferable. Remember that fictitious roof repair I alluded to earlier. New roofs usually have a one-time transferable warranty attached to them. So if something happens to the roof after you sell the home, the new buyers will still be protected by the contractor’s warranty. For other great tips on getting ready to sell your home take a look at these posts: Prioritizing Upgrades When Preparing to Sell Your Home Increasing Your Home's Value Prepping Your Home Now to Net the Most Money on Your Austin Home Sale If you’re thinking about selling your Austin area home, contact me today.
33 Comments
This list is very useful. I don't have any properties that I think about selling lately. Now I am having second thought about keeping them. I guess they are more of liabilities than assets. I don't really use them but I find it difficult to continue owning them. There's so much to do and so little time. I find it stressful to update its papers and have them cleaned regularly. I mean what for? Nobody lives there and they are not being rented out. I have no other plans but to just sell them. I guess there is no better time than now.
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You need to also make a list of possible areas in your home that needs to be repaired. I can only imagine the horror the new owners will feel when they discover what has been hiding inside those newly decorated walls. I am sure they won't ask for a lower price tag if you will be completely honest with what else needed to be done with the house. Accidents can be avoided if only people who are selling will be very honest. If the buyers can afford a new house, I am sure it's easier for them to pay for the much needed repairs that need immediate attention.
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12/5/2021 11:29:08 pm
Thanks for the thoughts you are giving on this website.
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I appreciate when you said that we should also look for floor plans to make it easier for us, buyers, to make an informed decision regarding a property. I should also get the services of a home buyer document preparation expert so that I can actually understand the files that I will be looking at. With their help, I can have the assurance that my dream home would be worth it, especially when I will be using my whole savings for this purchase.
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Erika Rae Albert
2/16/2023 08:27:01 am
Hey Mia,
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3/2/2023 07:09:59 am
Hi, thank you for such a brilliant post. I have been reading some blogs that gives me more knowledge about 6 documents to gather before listing your home for sale. I must say this is one of the best among them. You have done a great research for I feel, thanks for sharing.
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3/8/2023 03:42:02 pm
When a buyer submits an offer on your home, they can select to use the existing survey or opt for a new survey. If you have an existing, reliable survey, it’s unlikely the buyer will ask you to purchase a new one. Thank you for the beautiful post!
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3/10/2023 10:42:20 am
You likely receive a monthly statement from your loan provider and it will state the loan payoff amount. Keep this number in the back of your mind as you prepare to sell your home. Thank you for making this such an awesome post!
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3/11/2023 07:40:00 am
The time transferable warranty attached to them. So if something happens to the roof after you sell the home, the new buyers will still be protected by the contractor’s warranty. I truly appreciate your great post
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3/11/2023 12:57:32 pm
When a buyer submits an offer on your home, they can select to use the existing survey or opt for a new survey. If you have an existing, reliable survey, I’m so thankful for your helpful post!
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3/12/2023 09:22:39 pm
As a homeowner looking to sell, gathering the necessary documents before listing your home is essential. From property surveys to warranties and manuals, having all the required paperwork on hand can help streamline the selling process and ensure a smooth closing. Take the time to compile these documents early on to avoid any potential delays or complications later on.
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3/22/2023 02:38:01 am
However, having the right documents in order can make the process much easier and help you maximize your profits from the sale. Together, these 6 documents provide an essential framework to establish a successful listing and protect your interests throughout the transaction. As soon as you’re ready to sell, review this checklist of important documents and make sure you have everything on hand prior to listing.
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3/28/2023 05:31:07 am
It's crucial to gather important documents before putting your house on the market. These documents include the property survey, floor plans, repair receipts, and loan statement. Having these documents readily available will make the selling process easier and more efficient. It can also make your home more appealing to potential buyers by providing them with valuable information about the property. Don't forget to gather these important documents to ensure a smooth and successful sale.
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5/27/2023 09:51:19 pm
A mortgage brokers can help whether you are purchasing or looking to refinance.
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5/30/2023 05:27:25 am
This list will come in handy. Recently, I haven't considered selling any of my homes. The more I think about it, the less I want to keep them. They are probably more of a burden than an advantage. No better time than the now, I suppose. Fantastic resources, I appreciate you making them available to us. wonderful article!
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6/19/2023 05:08:09 am
From property surveys and utility bills to warranties and repair records, these documents not only help streamline the listing process but also instill confidence in potential buyers. I appreciate the emphasis on organization and preparedness, as having these documents readily available can make a significant difference in attracting buyers and expediting the closing process. This article is a great guide for homeowners who want to ensure a smooth and efficient home-selling experience.
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6/23/2023 07:21:13 pm
Greetings! I'm thrilled to have stumbled upon your website and discovered your blogs. Your content about documents for home sale is incredibly helpful, and I'm eager to explore more. Keep up the great work, and may you continue to inspire others!
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7/24/2023 02:50:22 pm
This is a fantastic list of documents to gather before listing a home for sale. As someone who recently sold my house, I can't stress enough how important it is to have these documents ready. Providing the survey, floor plans, repair receipts, loan statement, utility bills, and manuals with warranties helped streamline the selling process. It not only made my home more appealing to potential buyers but also gave them the confidence they needed to make an offer. Don't overlook these essentials; they'll save you time and hassle in the long run. Happy selling!
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8/8/2023 06:17:40 pm
This an an excellent and helpful post about the actions and steps to take before listing your home for sale! It’s obvious that you have done your research and have experience in the real estate industry! Many thanks!
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8/17/2023 06:45:57 am
The list of six essential documents is clear and well-explained, helping readers understand the importance of each item. The inclusion of reasons why these documents are crucial for a smooth home-selling process adds depth to the post. This information can be particularly helpful for first-time sellers or those unfamiliar with the documentation process.
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8/25/2023 09:40:13 pm
Absolutely fantastic advice! These documents might seem like just pieces of paper, but they're like hidden treasures that can make selling your home a breeze. Imagine you're setting up a puzzle, and each document is a vital puzzle piece that completes the whole picture of your home for potential buyers.
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8/31/2023 02:00:48 pm
Want to find yourself unpacking box after box looking for that overstuffed home folder when you have a ready buyer prepared to purchase your home. Thank you for taking the time to write a great post!
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1/11/2024 07:00:10 am
This is a helpful reminder! Gathering essential documents, like the property survey, in advance is a practical tip for anyone putting their home on the market. It's a small yet crucial detail that can streamline the selling process and prevent last-minute hassles.
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1/17/2024 07:45:34 am
This checklist is invaluable for sellers! Repair receipts and utility bills provide transparency, while having manuals and warranties ready adds a thoughtful touch for buyers.
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4/9/2024 03:55:55 am
This serves as a helpful reminder! Collecting vital documents, such as the property survey, beforehand is a practical suggestion for anyone preparing to sell their home. It's a minor yet critical detail that can streamline the selling process and avoid last-minute complications.
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5/2/2024 10:25:19 pm
This is helpful advice for preparing to sell a home, emphasizing the importance of gathering essential documents. Thanks for sharing these tips for a smoother selling process! It's interesting to consider how having documents like surveys and repair receipts can enhance the appeal of a home to potential buyers.f
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