Final Steps of Selling your Home

When you and the buyer agree on all terms and conditions, the following normally takes place:

1. Once the buyer chooses a home inspector, your REALTOR® will call you to schedule a time and date. Normally the buyer, their agent and the home inspector will be in the home for approximately 2 hours during the inspection. It is best if you are not at home during this time. The buyer and the inspector will feel free to talk about any issues that may arrive. They will discuss what conditions are normal for the home and what conditions need immediate or future attention. I will call you with the results as soon as I am notified by the other agent. Should the buyers request repairs as per home inspection you may elect to do all of them, counter their request with what you will do or reject to do any of the requested repairs. Should you choose not to do the repairs the buyers can void the purchase contract as long as they do so within the time period of the terms of the purchase contract. Should the contract be voided, we will have to disclose the results of their home inspection to the next buyer, because at this point we have knowledge of items that need repair as per the home inspection.



2. The inspections will take place. A termite inspection will occur. If your home has gas heat, normally the same company will issue the gas line warranty. The inspector will be in your home for approximately 15 minutes. You may either be home or decide to leave, which ever you prefer. Our office will call you to schedule the time and date. Sometimes the home inspector does the termite report during the home inspection.



3. The buyers lender will send an appraiser to do a walk through of your home to determine the value of the home for the purpose of lending money to the buyer. The lender needs to be assured that the home is worth the amount the buyer is requesting in case of foreclosure. The home also needs to meet some of the lenders guide lines of conditions. You can be at home during this inspection if you wish.



4. Before or upon final loan approval from the buyer's lender, your REALTOR® will set up a closing date that is acceptable to you and the buyer. Normally the buyers wish to do a final walk through prior to closing. Don't be concerned that you have boxes and things are a bit out of place. I'm sure that will be a good sign to your buyer. They are excited to move in. I will order the final title work and review the final closing numbers and call you prior to closing to go over your proceeds. Most title companies are open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. They try to schedule the last closing of the day at 4 pm.



5. Closing will be at the title company. The closing agent will explain all of the forms to the buyer and seller. This is where you will sign the deed over to the buyers and you will receive your check. At closing we will exchange possession dates, utilities dates and arrangement to transfer the keys. It is recommended that all parties have legal council. You will need picture ID or drivers license at closing. The closing will take approximately 1 hour.
   

This is a very short version of the process. If you like, your REALTOR® will be happy to meet with you and go into more details. Please remember, as REALTORS®, we go through this process several times a year and sometimes what we take for granted is very stressful and confusing for the average home owner. So please, never hesitate to ask any questions, no matter how minor you think the detail may be.

Now that you've closed on your Home, check our list to make sure you're ready to move.