Disclose/Remove All Liens on Your Property

When your buyers perform the title search on your property, any liens on your property will be disclosed. Some liens are unexpected and you should be well informed. We had a lien on our property which resulted from a contractor who performed work on your home, but did not pay his supplier. Having an undisclosed lien on your property may give the buyers second thoughts. Know your status before you list your property.

Don’t Ignore Contingencies

Your contract may require certain things be done before the closing or final inspection. It is critical that these contractual items be taken care of as outlined in the agreement. Do the work professionally and correctly to insure the buyer’s satisfaction is completely met. No repair is too small is it is a concern to the buyer.

Keep Your Property in Good Repair

Once you have a deal you will begin to pack and ready your home for moving. Pictures come off the walls, carpets get rolled up and many other things occur which may reveal imperfections or otherwise undesirable appearance. Take the time to clean and repair items as you become aware of them. The buyers will have a final inspection and they will be looking for contingency items you had repaired. Additionally, any new problem that was revealed from your moving activity could potentially become an issue. Make your home look as clean and ready for the new owners as you can. Some simple cleaning and touch-up painting can often make all the difference.

Pay Attention to Deadlines

The process of selling your home has a long list of deadlines for all the parties involved. As the seller, you will have contractual deadlines which must be met to assure a good closing. Have your agent or attorney outline all your responsibilities and be sure you stay on schedule.

Be Prepared To Negotiate After Inspections and Appraisals

The price on the contract may not be the final price of the deal. If contingent repairs are not completed or new issues arise, the buyers will look for compensation. If the appraisal comes up less that the purchase price the buyers, or more likely, their lender, will ask for a price reduction. If you understand this process beforehand you are more likely to calmly arrive at an acceptable compromise should issues come up.

Disclose/Remove All Liens on Your Property

When your buyers perform the title search on your property, any liens on your property will be disclosed. Some liens are unexpected and you should be well informed. We had a lien on our property which resulted from a contractor who performed work on your home, but did not pay his supplier.

Another Word about the Process Leading to Closing

We have found over the years that when a buyer feels they are paying more that they should for a property; the process prior to closing is more difficult. The buyers may feel as though they are “leaving money on the table” and they, with the help of their attorney, may try to negotiate after the contract is executed. This is not always intentional. Buyers may be less flexible about minor issues and the inspections may be overly aggressive in terms of repairs to be made by you, the seller. This is not to say that you should not negotiate a strong deal for yourself. It is important to help the buyer understand the “real” value in his offer and the price is fair. A good Realtor can help you with this. When buyers feel that a fair deal has been struck, things just always seem to run a little more smoothly are far less likely to fail.