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SELLER’S GUIDE

Selling: Sell

HOME SELLING PROCESS

MAKE HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS

Just like you would fix and clean up your car to sell, it is a good idea to do as much as you can to prepare your house to sell for the best price. If possible, ask a professional inspector to do a thorough inspection and make repairs according to the inspection report.​ Or you can check the house yourself according to this Seller's Home Checklist.

STAGE PROPERTY

Clean your house before taking photos. If possible, hire a professional staging company to do the decoration, especially for an empty house.

LIST PROPERTY ON THE MARKET

  • Keep the house tidy for showings.

  • Hide away below items when showing the house

    • Valuables - jewelry, collectibles, keys, cash, credit cards, checkbook etc. ​

    • Personal Info - mail, financial documents and anything with your Social Security Number on it; personal photos and anything labeled with names

    • Weapons - firearms, knives, scissors etc.

    • Medications - prescription medications

    • Electronics - laptops, tablets, gaming systems etc.

  • Once the "For Sale" sign goes up, interested buyers may show up at your door, asking to view your home. Directing them to schedule a showing through your realtor is the safest course of action.​

RECEIVE BUYER'S OFFER

  • Accept the Offer as presented: We sign the contract and include the Sellers Disclosure, Survey and any other Amendments or Addendums.

  • Counter the Offer: Look at the sales price, the seller’s concessions (if any), closing date, leaseback offer, Earnest money, option money and decide what our best counter offer would be in regards to any or all of these items.

  • Reject the offer as presented: This is done through email between the agents.

EXECUTE THE CONTRACT

  • The Title Company receives the executed contract along with the Earnest Money.

  • You will receive a check for the Option Money. Don’t deposit until after Option Period.

PROVIDE INFORMATION TO TITLE COMPANY

  • The Title Company will email you a document requesting information about the Seller's loan payoff amount. Please fill this out as soon as possible and return to Title Company.

  • The title company may ask for other information from you as well, such as survey, tax filing and any Home Owners Association info.

REVIEW HOME INSPECTIONS

  • The Buyer may ask for an Option Period to inspect the property. A Texas Licensed Inspector is required to make an appointment through ShowingTime. An inspection takes 3 to 5 hours depending on the size of property.

  • Within 1 to 2 days the Buyer Agent sends an amendment for repairs. We will negotiate the repairs during the Option Period.

  • The repairs DO NOT have to be completed during the Option Period but receipts and photos of repairs should be completed 5 days prior to closing.

  • The Buyer has the right to do a walk through 1 day to 1 week prior to closing.

APPRAISAL

  • An Appraiser will make an appointment through ShowingTime two weeks after executed contract to view the property.

  • We will present an Appraisal Packet specifically developed for your property. If the Appraisal does not meet the offer on the contract, comes in less than the offer amount, then we will need to negotiate with the buyers.

  • Cash offers do not require an appraisal.

RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM TITLE COMPANY

  • Title company will review preliminary Title Commitment with you and remediate any title issues.

  • Confirm closing date with Title Company.

  • 3 days before closing you will receive a HUD Settlement Statement from the Title Company.

CLOSING

  • The closing is when you get paid and the buyer receives the deed to your home.

  • Provide wire instructions needed to settle the transaction.

  • Bring house keys and valid photo ID to closing.

  • You can leave all garage door openers, gate keys, warranty information in a kitchen drawer or on the counter.

  • Once Documents are signed the money will be wired to your account. This could take up to 3 or 4 hours.

  • Sellers commonly pay the following at closing:

    • Mortgage balance and prepayment penalties, if applicable.​

    • Other claims against your property, such as unpaid property taxes.

    • HOA Transfer fee.

    • Document stamps (or taxes) on the deed.

    • Real estate commission.

    • Legal fee or title insurance premium.

AFTER CLOSING

  • You will receive a packet of all closing documents.

  • Keep all home improvement receipts on the home you sold for your taxes.

  • Call your Homeowners Insurance and cancel the policy on that home.

  • Cancel utilities with one day overlap.

  • Clean house according to the contract.

WHAT IS MY HOME WORTH?

SELLER'S HOME CHECKLIST

WANT TO RENT A HOME?

HELPFUL INFORMATION

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