Checklist for Selling a House

   Selling a house can be a very involved process. By keeping track of your progress with this checklist, you can eliminate many of the pitfalls, time delays and aggravations that can erupt at any time during the house selling period. Bookmark this page so that you can return to it frequently and maintain control over the experience. Start first by preparing yourself to list or sell your home.

This checklist is meant to be used as a reference and may not include some steps that are used by some professionals in the marketplace today. Use this list as a reminder of things that should be kept in the forefront of you, the homeowners, mind, and it will make your transaction smoother or keep you and your agent in sync. And, as always for transaction specific advice, please consult your attorney or real estate agent.

House Selling Checklist
	Be an informed seller. There is a lot of information on this Web Site that will assist you and links to much more information. Numerous guides are available on specific subjects.Gather as much information as you can to increase your effectiveness.
	Decide whether it is to your advantage to sell your house with an Agent or on your own. You can compare backgrounds, experience, commissions and more by asking all the right agent questions.
	Familiarize yourself on how to price your house. Pulling a price "out of the air" is almost never successful. If you would like comparable sales prices in your neighborhood, your agent will prepare a current market analysis to help you get an estimate of your home's value. Knowing how much your home can be worth is one of the first steps to getting the right price.
	Know what you can and cannot change about your house. This allows you to concentrate on those items that bring the highest rewards.
	Spend time on the house preparation phase--it will probably be the most productive time you can spend! Learn how finishing touches can make a world of difference.
	For tax purposes, develop a record of all home improvements made to your house.
	Decide whether or not to do a pre-listing house inspection.
	Have a yard sale before you list. Sell, donate, or trash everything you don't need. If you donate, get a receipt for tax purposes.
	Decide whether you want to offer a Home Warranty with your house.
	Get familiar with financing options. Be at least as knowledgeable as your buyers.
	Develop an effective advertising and marketing plan on your own or with your Agent.
	Know how to best show your home. Talk with a realtor about times and formats.
	When it is time to negotiate, learn how to deal with offers and familiarize yourself with contracts. If you need to review an example of purchase offers, your agent can show you a blank offer, so that you can become familiar with all contingency clauses and format.
	Looking to buy another home? Check out our Home Buyer's Information Center before you buy another home. You'll find hundreds of helpful hints and tips from the Buyer's perspective.
	Make moving plans early. Don't wait until the last minute!
	Know what is involved at closing and settlement.
	Smile and breathe a sigh of relief: It's over!