Gathering the Right Documents Can Save You Time

There are a variety of documents and materials that will help you market and sell your home effectively, and some others that you’ll absolutely need just to complete the transaction. To help your home sale go smoothly, it’s a good idea to gather all these documents in one place and get them organized early. 

Your real estate agent (assuming you’re using one) will want some of this paperwork early on to start marketing and showing your home, while other documents will be necessary to make all the disclosures appropriate to your transaction. Finally, you’ll need some materials for the closing. 

Consider buying a multi-tab folder organizer and storing all necessary materials there. Keep it somewhere safe!

Here is a high-level list of things to start gathering:

• Pictures – make sure these show your house in the best possible light.  You want your home clean, well lit, and looking comfortable. You may also want to make things easier by gathering a disc of digital images
• Maps highlighting your home, your neighborhood and any local points of interest
• Copies of your homeowners insurance policy (and any other insurance policies, e.g. earthquake or flood)
• A copy of the appraisal of your home, when you have it
• A copy of any inspection reports on your home
• Copies of any applicable warranties in affect (home warranty, major appliances, etc)
• Copies of your property tax assessments
• A copy of any surveys or plans related to your home
• Floor plans
• A list of any items that will be included with your home (appliances, etc)

Don’t be afraid to get creative!  Many sellers have success writing a note or short essay about what they’ve loved about their home and/or neighborhood.  Remember, in many ways this is a marketing exercise. Yours isn't the only home out there, so use the quality of the materials you gather to stand out from the pack.