Selling a Home Checklist

All the things you need to do to sell your home

Making seling easy

You can do all this yourself, or let your Porch Home Assistant do it for you!

Calculate your selling expenses

List the repairs and projects you'll have to do to sell your home
Consider remodeling projects and green updates to increase home value
Expect to pay 7-10 percent of the home's sale price in closing costs, commissions, and taxes

Plan your selling strategy

Determine how fast you need to sell and how much money you want to get from the sale
Interview at least 3 reputable real estate brokers and list your home on the MLS service
Plan your sale during the spring or fall peak homebuying seasons

Determine your home's fair market value and set a price

Browse listings for homes for sale in your area to get a sense of what is on the market and current home prices
Ask your agent to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report
Use your Full Market Value (FMV) to determine your asking price. Consider pricing strategies such as pricing low to encourage a bidding war or Value Range Marketing

Advertise and market your home

Consider marketing your home with the following: MLS listings, "For Sale" signage, and real estate publications
Use photos and video to showcase your home. Hire a professional real estate photographer or learn how to take great pictures yourself. Video tours are a popular way to guide buyers through the features and rooms of your home

Prepare and stage your home

Make necessary repairs and improvements. Don't forget about curb appeal!
Declutter, depersonalize, and decorate every room and outdoor area
Have a yard sale. Sell, donate, or trash everything you don't need
Replace outdated lighting fixtures and window treatments
Paint interior rooms neutral colors

Set up showings and open houses

Keep the home in show-ready condition at all times
Take appointments or set up a lockbox so agents can show the home when you aren't available
Hold an open house for local agents to introduce them to the house and get feedback
Hold an open house for potential buyers. Advertise in local publications and put up signage in the area

Review purchase offers

For each offer, review the proposed price, pre-approval letter, contingencies, earnest money, proposed closing date, and offer expiry date
Have a process in place if you expect to get multiple offers
Keep emotions under control when receiving lowball offers

Make counter offers and negotiate

If the buyer's offer is contingent on selling a home, counter with a Removal of Sale Contingency
Offer to include furniture, appliances, window treatments, or lighting fixtures
Don't forget to set a closing date and move-in date
Consider offering financial incentives that don't require cash out of your pocket, such as paying for part or all of the buyer's closing costs

Cross the escrow finish line

Create a formal plan for handling home repairs
Clean and prepare home for appraisal and home inspections
Choose an escrow officer who will order a title search and prepare and record documents and closing statements
Prepare for the final walk-through inspection
Sign the closing documents and move out of your home
Keep copies of your documentation for reporting the sale on federal and state tax forms

Moving into a new home? Check out our move-in checklist here

Want personalized services?
Home Assistant Gold can help!

Personalized, dedicated move-in expert

Talk or text with the same person every time
Get 24/7 support when you need it most
Schedule and arrange moving services on your behalf
Expert in coordinating moving services - moving companies, security systems, everything you need!

Schedule work and quotes for your to-do list

Helps line up repairs from inspection report
Arranges key tasks so new home is ready for move-in
Get $100 off handyman services when you join

Expertise in every move; cross town to cross country

Coordinate the utilities; cable, water, gas, sewer & electric - it's different in every city
Makes sure the timelines work - home closing dates, moving company arrival and more

Limited availability.
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