Use this For Sale by Owner Checklist to keep track of all the things you should do to sell your home yourself.
Preparing to Sell
___ Understand The Selling Process Completely. Read books about selling your home, and do some online research.
___ Prepare a timeline for moving out of your home and into your new home.
___ How's your curb appeal and landscaping?
___ Do you need to paint your front door or entryway
___ Do any rooms need painting or remodeling?
___ Do any need to be replaced or professionally cleaned?
___ Reduce clutter, in every room and outside
___ Are all appliances in working order?
___ Are all faucets & toilets in working order?
___ Change any burned out light bulbs to bright white to brighten your home.
___ Clean all windows, inside and outside
___ Make sure all rooms are spotless and organized
___ Decide what items can be sold, given away or thrown away
Know Your Market
___ Is it a Buyer's Market or a Seller's Market?
A buyer's market exists when real estate for sale exceeds the number of buyers seeking to purchase real estate. In this case, a Buyer is in a better position as to price and terms because of this abundance.
A seller's market exists when the number of qualified buyers seeking homes exceeds the number of homes available. Home prices tend to be higher in this instance.
___ What other homes are for sale in your neighborhood?
Extra Expenses & Costs
___ Are you going to offer a Home Warranty?
___ Are you going to pay any of the Buyer's closing costs?
Pricing Your Home
___ Conduct your own research of neighborhood homes
___ Get a free Comparative Market Analysis. Click Here!
____Order a Professional Online Appraisal
___ Get a local appraisal by a professional
___ Decide what your "Asking Price" will be and what your "Final Price" will be
Marketing your home or property
___ Get For Sale by Owner Signs, directional signs, and a flyer box
___Prepare Real Estate Flyers including photos and all the features of your home
___ Advertise your home on the Internet
___ In a hurry to sell? You may want to advertise your home on the MLS.
___ Advertise your home in your local newspapers. 80% of home sold are purchased by people who already live or work in your area.
___ Decide which days you will show your home to prospective buyers. Usually, the weekend plus one night during the week is best.
Contracts & Legalities read more
___ Decide on the Title Company with staff of real estate attorneys
___ Get the required real estate contracts for your state. Read the contracts thoroughly so that you understand them. Ask your real estate attorney if you have any questions.
Negotiating an Offer with the Buyer
___ Read & understand the Buyer's Offer and present a Counter Offer, if necessary
___ Is the Buyer pre-qualified for a loan?
___ Accept the Contract, reject the Contract or prepare a Counter-Offer in Response to the Contract
___ Accept Earnest Money
___ Set Time Frames For Inspections, Financing & Closing
Document Exchange
___ Property Disclosure Forms are given to the Buyer. Click here to get the forms required by your state.
___ Buyer Provides copy of Loan Pre-Approval Letter to the Seller
Inspections
___ Home Inspection is completed
___ Home Inspection findings/issues are resolved, if necessary
___ Termite Inspection
___ Roof Inspection
___ Electrical Inspection
___ Other _____________________
___ Inspection findings/issues are resolved, if necessary
___ Home Appraisal Completed for the bank
___ Appraisal findings/issues are resolved, if necessary
__ Survey Is Completed, if necessary
___ Repairs Required By Contract Or Inspections are Completed
Title Company
___ Open Escrow with your Title Company
___ Deposit Earnest Money with the Title Company
___ Provide Necessary Documents the Title Company
___ Title Search Is Completed
___ Issues with the Title Search are resolved, if necessary
___ Settlement/Closing Date & Time Scheduled
___ 1. With the Title Company/Escrow Officer
___ 2. With the Buyer
____ 3. With the Buyer's Lender
The Walk-Through
___ Final Walk-Through Inspection is completed with the Buyer. Need a copy of this form? Contact me for a free no cost Final Walk Through Inpspection Form. mary.andrews@cbexchange.com
___ Issues with Walk-Through are resolved, if necessary
Do's and Don'ts to avoid common mistakes people make while photographing their home!
A must have! Contact Me For Your Free Copy. mary.andrews@cbexchange.com
Settlement/Closing
___ Review Closing Documents 24-48 Hours prior to the Closing
___ Resolve Issues with the Closing documents, if Necessary
___ Settlement/Closing Day. Be sure to bring your driver's license.
___ Go out and Celebrate
Don't forget to get your free copies of the Final Walk Through Inspection Form, or the Must Have, Do's and Dont's in photographing your home. I can also assist you with a free Comparative Market Analysis of your home.
Mary Andrews
Coldwell Banker Residential
6232 W. 95th St
Oak Lawn, IL 60443
Direct 773-563-3871
mary.andrews@cbexchange.com
