Checklist for Home Sellers

  1. When selling your home, finding the right realtor to represent you is critical to the success of your sale.  We translate your goals into an integral marketing plan, using strategic advertising, social media, staging tips and pricing.
  2. Pricing your property appropriately is the key to an efficient sale. We provide you with a detailed analysis of recent sales of properties most like yours to assist you in establishing a list price.
  3. Once you have determined a list price, you will be asked to sign a Listing Agreement. This establishes the terms of the listing, such as the length, commissions, etc. If the property was built prior to 1978, you will also sign a lead paint disclosure form indicating your awareness, if any, of lead paint on the premises.
  4. After signing a listing agreement, we’ll work with you to prepare your property. Typically, sellers should avoid undertaking major renovations prior to listing and instead focus on smaller projects that increase curb appeal or visual interest. Making needed repairs is also important.
  5. Decluttering and putting away personal items such as family photos is always recommended and will help buyers better picture themselves living in the home.
  6. We’ll contact you to schedule showings. If you have specific times when your property can be shown or other parameters, please be clear about those with us.
  7. Keeping your property decluttered, clean, beds made, etc. will make it much easier for you to prepare for showings. Putting away dog beds, litter boxes, pet toys, and food bowls prior to a showing is also helpful.
  8. As agents, we are obligated to present all offers, regardless of offer price or terms. As the seller we need your feedback as quickly as possible; offers typically set a deadline by which sellers need to respond.
  9. You have several options regarding offers. The offer as presented can be accepted, rejected, or you can make a counteroffer. While you can certainly ask for our advice or input, the decision on how to respond to an offer is ultimately yours as the seller.
  10. In Massachusetts, buying and selling a home is a multi-step process:
    1. Offer to Purchase Agreement: the Offer made by the buyers and accompanied with a “good faith” deposit. The offer is a contract and outlines dates, contingencies, and other details.
    2. Home Inspection: most buyers choose to have a home inspection, which is paid for by the buyer. The inspection is conducted shortly after the signing of the Offer to Purchase.
    3. Purchase & Sales Agreement: this is the sales contract that binds both parties to all the requirements of the purchase and supersedes the Offer to Purchase Agreement. Any issues raised by the Home Inspection should be negotiated prior to signing the P&S. Buyers make another deposit at signing.
    4. Mortgage Contingency: if a buyer is financing the purchase, this is the deadline by which they must have a mortgage commitment.
    5. Closing: this is the final step, in which the Deed is transferred to the buyers, any additional monies down are paid, and the sellers receive their funds.
  11. In Massachusetts, only attorneys licensed by the Commonwealth can represent buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction. Sellers are strongly encouraged to secure the services of an attorney shortly after signing the Offer to Purchase Agreement.