“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller
Sometimes change is good. It allow us to experience something new and perhaps the chance to follow our true desires. Selling your home can mean downsizing, upsizing, or cashing in to finally take your dream vacation. But no matter your path, it pays to be informed, so if you’re planning to sell your home, here are the documents you’ll need.
But first! Where are your important household documents?
According to DomiDocs® founder and CEO, William McKenna, “The very act of purchasing, owning, and maintaining a residential property generates enormous amounts of paper-based documentation, which over the lifetime of a property winds up in many places: banks, closets, county clerks, file cabinets, safe deposit boxes, shoe boxes, storage units, and often wastebaskets.” DomiDocs was born to fix this problem! In today’s world, we do so many things online but when it comes to the financial aspect of being a homeowner, we’re still stuck in the 90s paper-based world.
Digitize Your Home Documents with DomiDocs®
The problem? If you have important home documents stored haphazardly throughout your home, you’re setting yourself up for frustration when it comes to finding something specific. The free DomiDocs® Homeowner Enablement Platform® offers the solution!
You can easily upload and store your vital household documents into the secure DomiDocs® cloud. You can then search through your files by using keywords or tags, and you can share documents with someone like your realtor or mortgage lender. You’ll have access to all of your paperwork 24/7/365 at the touch of a button.
Planning to sell your home? Here are all the documents you’ll need:
| Source These Items Before You List Your Home on the Market | Why This Documentation is Important |
|---|---|
|
Certificate of Occupancy and/or Compliance with Building/Zoning Codes |
While not mandatory, some lenders for the buyer may require a certificate of occupancy document. If you’ve built a secondary dwelling or have subdivided your land, you’ll need a building/zoning compliance certificate. You can order copies of both from your local permitting office if you don’t have them on hand |
|
Homeowners Insurance |
To maintain your current mortgage requirements, this document ensures you have coverage in effect until the closing takes place |
|
HOA Documents |
This information is generally ordered by the title company or the closing attorney, and can include: |
|
Maintenance & Repair Records |
By law, any issues and repairs of major importance, known as material facts (see Once Your Home is For Sale: Mandatory Disclosure below), must be disclosed to potential buyers of your home. So, it’s important to identify and show proof of the repairs/maintenance you’ve conducted |
|
Manuals & Warranties |
This can include manuals/warranties for major appliances and things like HVAC or alarm systems. In a potential buyer’s mind, having this information on hand signifies that you’ve taken good care of your home |
|
Mortgage & Financing |
This detailed legal info would’ve been supplied by your mortgage lender; it can also include lines of credit, home equity loans, and a property survey if your lender required it. It’s a bonus if you have your original sale contract on hand, but it’s not a necessity to sell your house |
|
Mortgage Payoff Statement |
On your behalf, this statement will be requested from the mortgage lender by the closing attorney or the title company |
|
Property Tax Records |
If you don’t have them on hand, these public records can easily be pulled by your real estate agent or attorney |
|
Upgrades & Additions Records |
If you’ve made capital improvements to your home, these records are proof that you’ve done so. This can include everything from installing a security system, building a fence, adding a deck, or planting trees on your property – anything that adds major value to your home |
|
Utility Bills |
While you’re under no obligation to do so, many potential buyers will be curious to know how much you pay monthly for utilities like gas and electricity |
| During the Home Listing Process | Why This Documentation is Important |
|---|---|
|
Comparative Market Analysis |
This report provides a detailed look at similar home sales in your neighborhood and is provided by your real estate agent or broker. You can also reference the DomiDocs® TrueValueIndex® – it’s a custom, professional-grade valuation in under 2 minutes! |
|
Leased Equipment Agreement |
If your property has equipment on-site that is leased to a service provider, you’ll need copies of the agreements; examples include solar panels or propane tanks on your land |
|
Listing Agreement & Marketing Plan |
If you’re working with a broker or agent to sell your home, you’ll be asked to sign a listing agreement that details the selling price, agent commission, and more. A marketing plan proposal will outline where the listing agent will advertise your home, including social media and open houses |
|
Mutual Easement Agreement |
If your property has easements, you’ll need to have copies of such |
|
Seller’s Net Sheet or Seller’s Estimated Costs |
This paperwork provides a breakdown of the costs to be incurred when selling your home and gives the estimated net amount you’ll receive after selling |
|
Preliminary Title Search |
A title search ensures you’re legally entitled to sell your property without any encumbrances, such as a lien or a clouded title |
| Once Your Home is For Sale | Why This Documentation is Important |
|---|---|
|
Pre-Listing Home Inspection |
Now that your home is on the market, this inspection can identify any repairs or problems that need to be taken care of. Having this documentation shows you’re a proactive owner, but many states don’t require it |
|
Mandatory Disclosure (aka Statutory Disclosure) of Material Facts |
Mandatory disclosures vary by state, but according to investopedia.com, material facts can include, but are not limited to:
This can also include an additional disclosure for lead-based paint/hazards. Home sellers in California must fill out a natural hazards report which identifies a home’s general risk of fire, earthquakes, and floods |
| When You’re Ready to Close on the Sale | Why This Documentation is Important |
|---|---|
|
Affidavit of Title |
As the seller, you’ll need to get a notarized document identifying any legal issues with your property |
|
Bill of Sale |
If you’re selling any personal property along with your house, a bill of sale will itemize such; this could include appliances, furniture, and more |
|
Closing Statement |
This closing statement itemizes the debits/credits of the buyer/seller, providing a net amount due to the seller |
|
Deed |
A deed document is used to transfer homeownership from the seller to the buyer. If you can’t locate the original deed, you can order a duplicate from your county housing office |
|
Home Inspection Report |
A home inspection report identifies any areas of concern for potential new buyers about the home’s foundation, HVAC, roof, structure, walls, windows/doors, and more |
|
Lease Agreement |
If you have a tenant on your property or are leasing part of your property, you’ll need to provide copies of the current lease agreements |
|
Property Tax Receipt |
Upon the sale of your home, you will have paid pro-rated property tax at the time of closing; you’ll need this receipt for a possible income tax deduction |
|
Purchase Offer |
When a buyer makes a purchase offer, this documents the details of their offer and any contingencies they’re asking for, such as financing, the sale of their home, or move-in early clauses. If you receive multiple purchase offers, take the time to scrutinize each one as the highest offer may not necessarily be the best one for you |
|
Purchase & Sale Agreement |
The purchase & sale agreement outlines the details of the sale and any conditions that may be included |
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Purchase & Sale Agreement Riders |
These are completed stipulations/agreements as outlined in the initial purchase & sale agreement |
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Real Estate Appraisal |
The real estate appraisal report is generally ordered by the new buyer or the lender |
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Release of Mortgage Lien |
This document will be provided to you by your lender and will show that your mortgage loan has been paid in full |
|
Title Insurance |
This may already be included in your closing costs, but it’s typically a cost incurred by the seller |
|
Transfer Tax Declaration |
This identifies the purchase price of your home and calculates the applicable transfer tax |
Whether we’re providing educational resources on the documents you’ll need to sell your home or how to weather natural disasters, DomiDocs® is committed to simplifying home management by offering functional tools designed to help save you both time and money, including streamlined document organization, real-time market value tracking, and more!
In addition, DomiDocs® HomeLock™ is our next-level fraud protection system that scans 200+ data points offering 360-degree coverage by monitoring your property 24/7/365. HomeLock™ will alert you to misfilings, unpaid bills, and even missed payments, so you’ll have peace of mind to simply relax and enjoy homeownership! Visit HomeLock™ today to watch our introduction video and check out our FAQs. As a bonus when you sign up, you’ll receive a comprehensive 7-year home history report and scan at no charge.
For more information related to selling your home, read:
5 Benefits of Selling Your House in the Spring
Home Documents: How to Organize Them for Today’s Digital Environment
Should I Sell? 6 Questions to Ask Yourself
Author – Connie Motz
