Inspect Your Home

 

There are simple steps a seller can take to improve home value. The first thing a potential purchaser will do is to hire an inspector to look for any and all faults in your home.  Using an inspection report, a purchaser often will ask you to either make repairs or will attempt to negotiate a better price for themselves. Using a flashlight, basic tools and cleaning tools, you can perform minor repairs such as leaky pipes which need tightning and small sheet rock patch jobs.  A fresh coat of paint on a living room can do wonders for appearance.  Hiring a local contractor/day worker may save you thousands on sales price. 

 

Choose a Broker

 

Historically, sellers using real estate brokers get as much as 10% more on gross sales price than selling by owner.  A broker has a keen knowledge of the market and can help find a buyer for your home quicker through Multiple Listing Services , marketing and more efficiently than if you tried selling with a "FOR SALE -- BY OWNER" sign.  A broker has access to a wider swathe of prospective buyers to deliver you a maximum return on your sale.   

 

Filing Proper Documentation

An attorney can help you gather the required legal documents that you will need to present at or prior to the closing such as Deeds, surveys, Certificates of Occupancy and / or Completion, and title insurance policies.  Lenders, municipal agencies, and title companies do not file satisfactions of old mortgages or other permits or approvals which may hold up your closing.

 

Obtain a Mortgage Payoff

 

The entirety of your mortgage should be paid off at closing.  You will need to bring all mortgage satisfaction or payoff letters to closing.

 

Shut Off Utilities

 

Sellers should terminate all accounts pertaining to utility services on the day delivering the property to purchaser vacant. This includes gas, alarm company, water, electric, oil, cable, etc.  Do not shut off actual services but close your accounts.  Sellers conveying during winter months may think they can save money by shutting off services during winter months. It is more likely that shutting heat can cause more damage to a home due to burst pipes, leaks and flooding.  Please be mindful that if you fill your oil tank prior to closing, purchaser may not be so inclined to continue using your oil system, may switch to gas, or may not want to continue use of your provider.  You must be sure to halt all of these accounts before leaving your home.  Last, you should always request a final meter reading so that portions of purchasers utilities don’t accumulate on your bill and vice versa.

 

Cancel Homeowners Insurance

Your insurance must remain in effect until ownership legally changes hands to the buyer. This will make certain that any accidents that take place on your property are still covered under existing insurance policies.   You are entitled to a pro-rata refund of your yearly homeowners insurance.

 

Perform Final Inspection & Move Out

Between the time a contract is fully executed and the final move-out date, no major changes should be doneto the property nor should the condition of your home deteriorate other than usual wear and tear on move-out.  Any major leaks or damage should be addressed either by repair or requesting an extension of time to close for time to repair.  Please inspect again to confirm there are no appreciable differences in exterior appearance or structure.