In a previous article we discussed all the things that a buyer would need to consider before signing their closing papers. The same goes for sellers. You may be excited that the deal is about to go through but it is important to remember that this is a business deal and accidents or mistakes can happen. Unfortunately sometimes these mistakes happen frequently. Depending on the severity of the mistake it could mean your deal doesn’t go through and you’re left without a closed deal.

With that in mind you want to consider the following things to ensure a proper and smooth transaction on all sides.

The first thing you will want to do is remove all your personal items. If the new home owners have decided to keep anything then you should leave that and make note of everything for your own records just so you have nothing to worry about.

You should make sure to check your closing costs and information to make sure there are no mistakes.

• Is the name spelled correctly?
• Is the sale price correct?
• Is the payoff information correct?
• Is the right address listed?

Make sure that you know the date you are supposed to be out of the home. It may seem like something you wouldn’t forget but you want to make sure you know the right date and that it is listed on the papers as the date you were expecting. If you are not out on the right date you risk breech of contract and you don’t want that to happen especially if it was due to faulty paperwork.

Make sure all the fees are correct for any professionals that need to be paid. These could vary based on your transaction. Some professionals include:

• Attorney fees
• Real Estate Agent fees

Other additional fees may include:

• Title costs
• Full closing costs
• Transfer taxes
• Title insurance and fees

Make sure if you currently owe a mortgage on the home you are selling that you receive a document showing that debt as being paid off. You don’t want there to be a mix-up or a problem with something as important as your credit.

Are you leaving the property in condition that is expected? You should have signed a paper which stated your obligations as a seller. This explains how the home is and what you will do to it before moving out. You are expected to uphold these promises or their will be problems.

If you are selling items to go with your home make sure you are given a receipt for sale. You want to make sure you are doing your part and seeing that the future buyer is getting exactly what they pay for.

If you have agreed to handle any repairs before or after the sale of your home then you need to make sure they are done and with quality. You would want the same treatment in the home you are buying, so you should see to things as you promised, to the best of your ability.

Finally, check your disclosure statement. Is everything in order? Were you required to fix anything that you didn’t get to? Was there anything you didn’t report on the list that may now be an issue? If it has come to your attention you are obligated to report the information.

Once you have these things taken care of you will be able to have a successful closing and you shouldn’t have to worry about anything going wrong. Selling your home can be a stressful time, however with some patience, knowledge, and some good professionals on your side that are willing to lend a helping hand, you will be fine for sure.