Some methods of improving the value of your home are firmly within your control. Part of a buyer’s procedure will likely be bringing in an inspector. This inspector will be searching for faults in the home. A buyer may ask you to fix these defects, or they may try and drive down your asking price citing any found flaws as reasons. You can do yourself a favor by staging your own home inspection. With a flashlight, some rudimentary tools, and basic cleaning equipment, you can try and perform a minor overhaul on your own, likely saving yourself money in the process. Leaky pipes can be tightened, and small holes patched up. These seemingly insignificant dings and scratches incurred by most homes can be fixed personally for a fraction of the cost it’d take hiring in professional help.
Enlisting the help of a broker is more often than not a wise decision when deciding to sell your home. A broker has a keen knowledge of the market and can help find a buyer for your home more quickly and efficiently than if you tried selling alone. A broker’s business acumen will become an important tool during the entirety of the sales process, so it’s important to do your due diligence in selecting the right one for the job. Whereas your own personal network might include only a handful of potential fits, a broker has access to a wider swathe of prospective buyers, and quantity breeds competition, which will help deliver you a maximal return on your home. Brokers are also diligent when it comes to the selective process of allowing buyers into your home. They’ve dealt with the problem of non-serious buyers in the past, and will help streamline the clientele given access to your premises.
Oftentimes, a broker will pay for themselves and then some by maintaining a secure environment and increasing your profit margin.
An attorney can help you gather the required legal documents that you will eventually need to present at the closing. Deeds, surveys, Certificates of Occupancy and / or Completion, and title insurance policies are among the documentation you may need.
The entirety of your mortgage should be paid off by the time closing rolls around. You will need to bring all mortgage resolution paperwork to the closing, as proof positive that you’ve completed payments.
To avoid an overlap in service, you should plan ahead to terminate all of your utilities on the day you plan on moving out. Gas, water, electricity, oil, cable, etc. You must be sure to halt all of these services before leaving your home.
Your insurance, on the other hand, must remain in effect until ownership legally changes hands to the buyer. This will make certain that every event, and any accidents, that take place on your property are covered and insured. It’s vital you maintain a safe environment before eventually transferring (forwarding) your insurance policy to your new address.
Between the time a contract as signed and the final move-out date, no major changes in the condition of the home should occur. You should take the time to make final rounds, ensuring that there are no appreciable differences in appearance or structure. Most times, this just means sweeping up and making sure that you haven’t left any of your belongings behind.
At this stage of the sale, the majority of your belongings should be moved out. Your journey is nearing completion. Once you have cleared the entirety of your things from the premises, and surmised that the place is in shipshape, you’ll be ready to move out, and transfer ownership to the buyer.
With any further questions, contact KAPLAN, DITRAPANI & FARIA LLP. We will schedule a free consultation where we’ll gladly address any remaining concerns.
