Whether you’re selling a home for the first time, or it has just been a while since you last sold a home, it helps to know what to expect. This page is designed to help you keep track of everything you need to know, from contract to close.

preparing to list

If you have not yet done so, please complete the Seller Updates List. This will help me market your house more effectively and provide accurate information to buyers.

If there are any small repairs or items that need to be addressed, please take care of them prior to photo day. Do not undertake any large home improvement projects once the listing timeline has been agreed upon, without discussing the project with me.

Prepare your house for photos. Please reference the photo preparation sheet I provided at our meeting, or download it here.

On photo day, please plan to be out of your home for a couple of hours and either take pets with you or secure them in your home. The photographer will need access to all rooms.

Once the marketing photos and video are taken, I will write the marketing description for your property using the information you provided.

Before your home can be listed, you will need to complete the Property Condition Disclosure, also referred to as the Seller’s Disclosure. Please see these instructions on understanding your responsibility when completing this form.

Listing Day & Showings

You will get an email from me when your listing is live on the MLS and visible to potential buyers and their agents.

Showing requests will begin as soon as your house lists. You want as many buyers as possible to see your house within the first few days of listing, when there is the greatest interest and competition. For this reason, if it is possible for you to vacate your home for the first few days to allow it to be shown frequently, I highly recommend doing so. If you do plan to be away, leave the house clean and ready for visitors.

I use a service called ShowingTime to manage appointment requests. You will be notified of appointment requests via text or email. If you accept an appointment request, you need to vacate the home for that showing. I will monitor the lockbox activity to see when the showing occurred. As soon as the showing is completed, the buyer’s agent will receive a request for feedback on the buyer’s interest in your home. I can then follow up to answer any questions the buyers may have.

Here are some important tips for showings:

• Leave the home before showings to ensure buyers feel comfortable.

• Open all blinds and curtains to let as much light in as possible.

• Turn on all lights in the home.

• Place fresh flowers or lemons in the kitchen.

• Ensure trash and recycling is taken out and odors addressed.

• Ideally, any evidence of pets should be hidden during viewings. Click here for more info about listing a house with pets.

I will notify you of offers as they are submitted. Should multiple offers be submitted, we will discuss the terms of each offer so you can make an informed decision. I will then negotiate based on your wishes.

Accepting an Offer

Once you have accepted an offer, the buyer has a set period of time to conduct inspections and assessments. This is called the Due Diligence period. You will need to make the house available to inspectors and ensure that the utilities are on. At any point during the Due Diligence period, the buyers may decide to dissolve the contract. If so, you will receive the agreed-upon termination fee.

Once the Due Diligence period has passed, all parties are committed to completing the transaction in good faith. Now is the time to start packing boxes!

The buyer’s agent will schedule a final walk-through close to the date of closing. At that time, if anything that was agreed upon in the contract has not been completed, the closing may be delayed. Please make sure you have taken care of any task items on your list!

Closing Day

Please bring the following things with you to closing:

• All house keys, including keys to outbuildings, basements, etc.

• Garage door openers, alarm system information, and garage door codes

Items you may leave in the home for the buyers (please be neat)

• Any manuals for appliances or other items that will remain in the home

• Any information you have related to the house, including documents given to you by the previous owner, paperwork related to improvements or renovations, communications with the HOA, etc.