Valuable Information to Gather Prior to Selling Your Home
When preparing to sell your home there is a lot to consider and to keep in mind. For some, the process can be overwhelming, however, this overwhelming feeling is often brought on by not being informed or prepared for what is to come. Here is a breakdown of some extremely valuable information that you should gather regarding your home, it features, and any repairs or renovations that you have made to it prior to selling.
Mortgage Documentation and Information About Any Home Equity Line of Credit
When you obtain a contract on your home, the closing office will need all of the information about your mortgage and any additional loans on the property (mortgage company name, loan and account numbers, etc.).
Disclose and Provide All Paperwork Related to Any Warranty information
If any major improvements have warranties this could be very desirable to a buyer. For example windows with a lifetime warranty or a roof with a 25-year warranty.
Don’t Be Afraid to Brag a Bit About Your Home
List any improvements you have made to your home whether major or minor including redesigns of rooms, new flooring, bathroom updates or anything else that you can “brag” about your home.
Provide Your Realtor with Details About Any and All Outdoor Features
This includes pool, landscaping, irrigation systems, outdoor kitchens, fireplace, etc. These items have become very important to buyers and the more information they are given, the more excited they get about your home.
Remember How Happy You Felt When You Bought Your Home
You wanted as much information about the home as possible. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and try to provide as much documentation as possible.
Remember and Make Note of All Major Repairs and Renovations
By taking a quick tour of each room and the exterior will help you remember any changes and repairs or issues that have come up while you lived there. If you have had any Homeowner’s Insurance claims, be sure and provide all documentation to your Realtor.
Paperwork and Guidelines Related to Any and All HOA rules and regulations
Have a copy of your Home Owner’s Association Rules and Regs so this can easily be shared with interested buyers or provide buyers and their agents with a link to the HOA website for up to date info.
Disclose Everything
Be sure not to withhold any reports or information about your home. What may seem minimal to you may seem major to a buyer. Oversharing is always good practice when selling your home! If you find yourself unsure as to whether something ought to be disclosed, discuss it with your real estate agent.
While some of these pieces of information might seem trivial to some, or obvious to others, it is important that you are aware of not only the process but how you can make the entire transaction go smoother and be a more enjoyable experience for both parties.