Home Seller's Guide

Choosing a Listing Agent:

It is important to ensure your agent truly understands the area where your home is located. Agents who are experts in your market will have a much better chance of getting it sold because they know what will attract a buyer to your house and the area, and they have local contacts to help when needed.
Make sure they are going to make your house shine. Getting good photos and a virtual tour is very important! Buyers who are driving long distances appreciate these resources, as they help determine if the property is worth visiting.

You and your agent should be on the same page. They should care about and understand why you’re selling your home and what your needs are. For example, if you need to find another place to live before selling your listed home, you may need more time before the home closes. Conversely, you may be looking to sell quickly to move into a new home that you have already found. This will help determine how aggressively the house should be priced and where it’s best to market it.
Make sure you like your agent on a personal level! This may seem silly, but you want to ensure your agent will always be looking out for your best interests and putting your needs before theirs. They should always be looking ahead and making sure any potential buyers are qualified to ensure a hassle-free transaction.

You should ensure your home is very clean and tidy before listing, and before any photos are taken. The neater and more decluttered your home is, the easier it will be for potential buyers to imagine themselves and their families living there.
Make sure you fill out a seller’s property disclosure (your agent should provide this for you). If you are an executor of an estate, you are not required to fill one out, just sign it. This disclosure will help buyers understand any known defects that you are aware of. It is important to be truthful and disclose everything. You may also be required to complete a lead-based paint disclosure if your home was built before 1978.

You will also want to ensure the exterior of your home has good curb appeal. Keeping your grass cut and having a spring or fall cleanup for your leaves is important.
Understand the programs that will be used. A good agent will market your property on many different websites and will have potential buyers set up on automatic email lists. Other programs will be used to alert you of any showing requests and feedback that is sent over after showings.

Your home is now under contract, congrats! The first step for the buyer is typically an inspection. You will need to make sure the inspector has access to all parts of your home, including the crawl space, attic, sheds, etc. If you have an individual on-lot septic system, you will need to have the lid exposed for evaluation.
You will want to reach out to a local title company or lawyer to rewrite the deed for you. They will handle all your closing documents and will schedule a time and place for you to sign when the time comes.

Schedule any services ahead of time to ensure you can close on time.
As the seller, you are responsible for having all services continued up until the day of closing (such as electric and water). The buyer will do their final walkthrough on the day of closing to make sure everything looks good!