What Documents Do You Need to Sell a Home?

Selling a home involves a lot more paperwork than most people realize.

You have the listing agreement, disclosures, purchase agreement, inspection documents, title paperwork, and plenty of forms that seem to appear as the transaction moves along. The good news is that you don't have to figure it all out by yourself.

Your Realtor, title company, lender, and other professionals involved in the transaction will help you understand what is needed and when. Still, knowing what to expect can make the process feel much less overwhelming.

Here are some of the documents you may need when selling your home.

The deed is one of the most important documents connected to your property. It shows ownership and identifies the property being transferred.

You may not have a copy readily available, and that's okay. The title company handling your sale can generally obtain the necessary records and verify ownership as part of the title process.

If there are multiple owners on the property, the title company will also need to confirm who has to sign the documents for the sale.

In Michigan, many residential sellers are required to provide a Seller's Disclosure Statement to the buyer.

This gives the buyer information about the property's condition and known issues. You'll be asked questions about things such as the roof, basement, plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling, water damage, and other aspects of the home.

The key here is to be honest and complete. If you're unsure about something, don't guess. Your Realtor can help you understand the form, but you should provide the information based on what you know about the property.

You'll need information about the property's taxes as part of the transaction. This helps the professionals handling the closing calculate prorations and make sure the financial side of the sale is handled correctly.

Understanding property taxes and how they factor into your home sale can also help you prepare for questions that may come up during the transaction.

It's also helpful to have recent property tax bills available if you have them.

If you still have a mortgage on the home, you'll need to provide information about your current loan.

The title company will need to obtain a payoff amount so the mortgage can be paid from the proceeds of the sale at closing.

If you have more than one loan, a home equity line of credit, or another lien against the property, make sure your Realtor and title company know about it early in the process.

If your home is part of a homeowners association or condominium association, there may be additional documents involved.

These can include association contact information, dues, assessments, rules, resale certificates, or other documents required for the sale.

It's a good idea to let your Realtor know about the association right away. Some documents can take time to obtain.

You don't necessarily need a file full of receipts to sell your home, but records of major improvements can be very useful.

Think about things such as:

• A new roof

• Furnace or air conditioning replacement

• Windows

• Major kitchen or bathroom renovations

• Additions

• New siding

• Electrical or plumbing work

Permits, warranties, invoices, and receipts can help answer buyer questions and provide useful information during the transaction.

They may also be helpful when determining your tax basis or documenting improvements, so it's worth keeping them organized.

Depending on the property and transaction, a survey or other property-related documents may be requested.

If you have an existing survey, site plan, well and septic information, easement documents, or other records related to the property, keep them accessible.

You may never need to produce all of them, but having them available can save time if a question comes up.

When it's time to close, you'll need valid identification and will sign a number of legal and financial documents.

The title company or closing agent will explain what you need to bring and what you'll be signing. If there are multiple sellers, each person who needs to sign should understand the closing requirements ahead of time.

If someone is selling the home on behalf of another person or there is a trust, estate, divorce, or other unusual ownership situation, additional documentation may be required.

Don't panic.

A missing document doesn't necessarily mean you can't sell your home. Many property and ownership records can be obtained during the transaction.

The best thing you can do is tell your Realtor what you have and what you're missing. Your Realtor and the title company can help determine what needs to be located and what can be obtained elsewhere.

The earlier you identify potential paperwork issues, the easier they are to address.

You don't need to have a giant folder of paperwork sitting on your kitchen table before putting your home on the market.

But if you're thinking about selling, start gathering the documents you do have. Look for your deed, mortgage information, tax bills, improvement records, warranties, permits, and HOA or condo information if applicable.

Understanding the cost of housing in Ann Arbor can also give you helpful context as you think about your property's position in the local market and prepare for a potential sale.

This can make the process smoother once you have an accepted offer and the transaction starts moving quickly.

Selling a home is about much more than putting a sign in the yard and waiting for an offer. There are a lot of details happening behind the scenes, and good preparation can make a big difference.

If you're thinking about selling your Ann Arbor home and want to understand what makes Ann Arbor a desirable place to live as you prepare for your next move, I'd be happy to help you understand the process and what to expect.