A Step-by-Step Checklist for Selling Your Home
Selling a home involves much more than putting a For Sale sign in the yard.
From determining the right asking price to preparing the property, negotiating an offer and getting to the closing table, there are many steps along the way.
This Home Selling Checklist is designed to help you understand what needs to be done before, during and after the sale.
At Netrealtynow.com, we offer sellers several options, from Flat-Fee MLS to full-service representation.
🏠 Home Selling Checklist
STEP 1 — Decide Why You Are Selling
Before putting your home on the market, determine your goals.
☐ Why are you selling?
☐ How quickly do you need to sell?
☐ What price would make the sale worthwhile?
☐ Are you buying another property?
☐ Are you relocating?
☐ Do you need to sell before purchasing another home?
☐ Do you have a target closing date?
Your timeline can affect your pricing and marketing strategy.
STEP 2 — Determine Your Home’s Market Value
One of the most important decisions is determining the right asking price.
☐ Review recent comparable sales
☐ Review current competing properties
☐ Review pending sales
☐ Evaluate your home’s condition
☐ Consider improvements and renovations
☐ Consider location
☐ Consider current market conditions
☐ Determine a realistic asking price
Remember:
Your home’s value isn’t necessarily what you paid for it or what you need to get out of it.
The market determines value.
👉 [Read: How to Price Your Home for Sale]
STEP 3 — Decide How You Want to Sell
You have several choices.
☐ For Sale By Owner (FSBO)
You handle the sale yourself.
☐ Flat-Fee MLS
You use a broker to place your property in the MLS while handling more of the sale yourself.
☐ Full-Service Brokerage
A broker handles substantially more of the marketing, negotiations and transaction.
☐ Hybrid Approach
You choose a service package that falls somewhere between Flat-Fee MLS and traditional full-service representation.
Choose the level of service that fits your needs.
👉 [Compare Flat-Fee MLS vs. Traditional Realtor]
STEP 4 — Choose Your Real Estate Broker
If you decide to use a broker, interview several before making a decision.
Ask:
☐ How long have you been in real estate?
☐ How many homes have you sold?
☐ What is your marketing plan?
☐ How will my home be priced?
☐ What services are included?
☐ What are the fees?
☐ How long is the listing agreement?
☐ Who will personally handle my transaction?
☐ How will showings be handled?
☐ How will offers be presented?
☐ What happens if I want to terminate the listing?
STEP 5 — Gather Your Documents
Start collecting important property documents.
☐ Deed
☐ Mortgage information
☐ Property tax information
☐ Homeowners insurance information
☐ HOA/condominium information
☐ Survey, if available
☐ Previous appraisal, if available
☐ Previous inspection reports
☐ Warranties
☐ Receipts for major improvements
☐ Permits for renovations
☐ Utility information
☐ Relevant property disclosures
Keep copies of everything.
STEP 6 — Make Necessary Repairs
You don’t necessarily need to renovate your entire home before selling.
Instead, focus on repairs that could affect the buyer’s decision.
☐ Repair leaks
☐ Fix plumbing problems
☐ Repair electrical problems
☐ Repair damaged flooring
☐ Fix broken doors and windows
☐ Repair obvious exterior problems
☐ Address roof issues
☐ Service HVAC system
☐ Repair damaged appliances
Don’t spend $50,000 to fix a $10,000 problem.
Talk with your broker about which improvements are likely to provide the greatest benefit.
STEP 7 — Improve Curb Appeal
The outside of your home creates the buyer’s first impression.
☐ Mow the lawn
☐ Trim landscaping
☐ Remove weeds
☐ Clean sidewalks
☐ Clean driveway
☐ Clean exterior
☐ Clean windows
☐ Touch up exterior paint
☐ Clean the front door
☐ Replace damaged house numbers
☐ Remove unnecessary items from the yard
STEP 8 — Declutter
Buyers want to see the house—not all of your belongings.
☐ Remove excess furniture
☐ Clean closets
☐ Organize cabinets
☐ Organize garage
☐ Remove excess decorations
☐ Remove personal collections
☐ Remove unnecessary items from countertops
☐ Consider renting a storage unit if necessary
Less clutter makes rooms appear larger.
STEP 9 — Clean the House
A clean home generally shows better.
☐ Clean floors
☐ Clean carpets
☐ Clean windows
☐ Clean bathrooms
☐ Clean kitchen
☐ Clean appliances
☐ Clean cabinets
☐ Dust surfaces
☐ Remove odors
☐ Clean garage
☐ Clean patio/deck
STEP 10 — Consider Staging
You don’t necessarily need expensive professional staging.
Simple changes can make a significant difference.
☐ Rearrange furniture
☐ Remove oversized furniture
☐ Improve lighting
☐ Use neutral décor
☐ Remove excessive personal photographs
☐ Make rooms look larger
☐ Make bedrooms look inviting
☐ Keep countertops clear
STEP 11 — Prepare for Professional Photography
Online photographs are often a buyer’s first impression of your property.
Before photographs:
☐ Clean the house
☐ Declutter
☐ Open blinds
☐ Turn on lights
☐ Remove vehicles from driveway if appropriate
☐ Remove trash cans
☐ Clean pool
☐ Clean outdoor areas
☐ Make beds
☐ Hide personal items
Good photography can make a major difference in online buyer interest.
STEP 12 — Create Your MLS Listing
Your listing should accurately describe the property.
☐ Verify address
☐ Verify asking price
☐ Verify square footage
☐ Verify bedrooms and bathrooms
☐ Verify lot size
☐ Review property description
☐ Upload photographs
☐ Confirm showing instructions
☐ Review disclosures
☐ Review MLS data carefully
Errors in an MLS listing can create unnecessary problems.
STEP 13 — Go Active on the Market
Once the listing is active:
☐ Verify the listing appears correctly
☐ Check photographs
☐ Check property description
☐ Check price
☐ Check map location
☐ Check showing instructions
☐ Confirm the property is being syndicated where applicable
☐ Monitor online activity
STEP 14 — Prepare for Showings
Make your home easy to show.
☐ Keep the house clean
☐ Make beds
☐ Remove clutter
☐ Turn on appropriate lights
☐ Open blinds/curtains
☐ Secure valuables
☐ Secure medications
☐ Remove unnecessary personal information
☐ Take pets out when possible
☐ Leave during showings when practical
STEP 15 — Monitor Buyer Activity
Pay attention to what the market is telling you.
☐ Number of showings
☐ Online activity
☐ Buyer feedback
☐ Agent feedback
☐ Competing listings
☐ New listings
☐ Price reductions
☐ Pending sales
☐ Offers
Lots of showings but no offers?
Consider whether price or condition is preventing buyers from moving forward.
Very few showings?
Consider whether price, photographs or marketing need attention.
STEP 16 — Review Offers Carefully
When an offer arrives, don’t look only at the purchase price.
Review:
☐ Purchase price
☐ Financing
☐ Earnest money
☐ Down payment
☐ Inspection provisions
☐ Appraisal provisions
☐ Financing contingency
☐ Closing date
☐ Seller concessions
☐ Personal property
☐ Other contingencies
The highest offer isn’t always the best offer.
STEP 17 — Negotiate
You may:
☐ Accept the offer
☐ Reject the offer
☐ Counteroffer
☐ Negotiate price
☐ Negotiate closing date
☐ Negotiate repairs
☐ Negotiate concessions
☐ Negotiate other contract terms
Your broker can help you understand the transaction and negotiation considerations.
STEP 18 — Go Under Contract
Once the contract is fully executed:
☐ Note all deadlines
☐ Provide required documents
☐ Cooperate with inspections
☐ Cooperate with appraisal
☐ Complete agreed repairs
☐ Maintain the property
☐ Keep utilities connected
☐ Stay in communication with your broker
Don’t assume that “under contract” means the property is sold.
The transaction still has to reach closing.
STEP 19 — Prepare for the Inspection
The buyer may conduct a home inspection depending on the contract.
Be prepared for possible requests involving:
- Repairs
- Credits
- Price adjustments
- Other concessions
☐ Review inspection results
☐ Discuss requested repairs
☐ Determine your response
☐ Complete agreed repairs
☐ Keep receipts/documentation
STEP 20 — Prepare for the Appraisal
If the buyer is obtaining financing, the lender may order an appraisal.
☐ Make sure the property is accessible
☐ Provide information about improvements
☐ Provide documentation for major renovations if available
☐ Provide relevant comparable information through your broker when appropriate
STEP 21 — Work With the Title/Settlement Company
Your closing company or attorney may need:
☐ Payoff information
☐ Mortgage information
☐ Identification
☐ Property documents
☐ HOA information
☐ Insurance information
☐ Repair documentation
☐ Other closing documents
Respond promptly to requests.
Delays in providing information can delay closing.
STEP 22 — Prepare for the Final Walk-Through
Before closing:
☐ Complete agreed repairs
☐ Remove personal belongings
☐ Remove trash
☐ Clean the property
☐ Leave agreed appliances and fixtures
☐ Leave keys/remotes/access devices as required
☐ Make sure the property is in the condition required by the contract
STEP 23 — Closing Day
At closing:
☐ Review closing documents
☐ Sign required documents
☐ Verify payoff information
☐ Confirm proceeds
☐ Transfer keys according to the contract
☐ Complete the transaction
🎉 Congratulations—Your Home Is Sold!
STEP 24 — After Closing
Don’t forget:
☐ Cancel homeowners insurance when appropriate
☐ Cancel utilities when appropriate
☐ Change mailing address
☐ Keep copies of closing documents
☐ Keep records of improvements and selling expenses
☐ Consult your tax professional regarding the sale
☐ Keep your final settlement statement for your records
Quick Home Selling Checklist
Before Listing
☐ Determine your selling goals
☐ Determine market value
☐ Choose your selling method
☐ Select a broker if desired
☐ Gather documents
☐ Make necessary repairs
☐ Declutter
☐ Clean
☐ Improve curb appeal
☐ Prepare for photography
Listing
☐ Establish asking price
☐ Complete MLS listing
☐ Review photographs
☐ Review property description
☐ Verify listing information
☐ Go active
During the Sale
☐ Keep property ready for showings
☐ Monitor buyer activity
☐ Review feedback
☐ Monitor competition
☐ Evaluate offers
☐ Negotiate
☐ Execute contract
Under Contract
☐ Track deadlines
☐ Complete inspections
☐ Address inspection issues
☐ Complete appraisal
☐ Complete agreed repairs
☐ Work with title/settlement company
☐ Prepare for final walk-through
Closing
☐ Sign documents
☐ Transfer property
☐ Receive proceeds
☐ Transfer keys
☐ Keep closing documents
Selling Your Home With Netrealtynow.com
You don’t have to sell your home the same way everyone else does.
Netrealtynow.com offers several options:
Flat-Fee MLS
For sellers who want MLS exposure and are comfortable handling more of the transaction themselves.
Full-Support Flat-Fee MLS
For sellers who want MLS exposure plus additional broker assistance.
Full-Service Representation
For sellers who want an experienced broker involved throughout the transaction.