FSBO Checklist

Use this For Sale by Owner Checklist to keep track of all the things you should do to sell your home yourself.

• Understand The Selling Process Completely. Read books about selling your home, and do some online research.
• Prepare a timeline for moving out of your home and into your new home.

• How's your curb appeal and landscaping?
• Do you need to paint your front door or entryway
• Do any rooms need painting or remodeling?
• How is the carpet, wood floors, vinyl & tile? Do any need to be replaced or professionally cleaned?
• Reduce clutter, in every room and outside
• Are all appliances in working order?
• Are all faucets & toilets in working order?
• Change any burned out light bulbs to bright white to brighten your home.
• Clean all windows, inside and outside
• Make sure all rooms are spotless and organized
• Decide what items can be sold, given away or thrown away
  

• Is it a Buyer's Market or a Seller's Market?
• What other homes are for sale in your neighborhood?
  

• Are you going to offer a Home Warranty?
• Are you going to pay a commission to a real estate agent?
• Are you going to pay any of the Buyer's closing costs?
  

• Conduct your own research of neighborhood homes
• Get a free Comparative Market analysis.
• Order a Professional Online Appraisal
• Get a local appraisal by a professional
• Decide what your "Asking Price" will be and what your "Final Price" will be
  

• Get For Sale by Owner Signs, directional signs, and a flyer box
• Prepare Real Estate Flyers including photos and all the features of your home
• Advertise your home on the Internet
• In a hurry to sell? You may want to advertise your home on the MLS.
• Advertise your home in your local newspapers. 80% of home sold are purchased by people who already live or work in your area.
• Decide which days you will show your home to prospective buyers. Usually, the weekend plus one night during the week is best.
  

• Decide on the Title Company with staff of real estate attorneys
• Get the required real estate contracts for your state. Read the contracts thoroughly so that you understand them. Ask your real estate attorney if you have any questions.
  
  

• Read & understand the Buyer's Offer and present a Counter Offer, if necessary
• Is the Buyer pre-qualified for a loan?
• Accept the Contract, reject the Contract or prepare a Counter-Offer in Response to the Contract
• Accept Earnest Money
• Set Time Frames For Inspections, Financing & Closing
  

• Property Disclosure Forms are given to the Buyer. Click here to get the forms required by your state.
• Buyer Provides copy of Loan Pre-Approval Letter to the Seller
  

• Home Inspection is completed
• Home Inspection findings/issues are resolved, if necessary
• Termite Inspection
• Roof Inspection
• Electrical Inspection
• Other
• Inspection findings/issues are resolved, if necessary
• Home Appraisal Completed for the bank
• Appraisal findings/issues are resolved, if necessary
• Survey Is Completed, if necessary
• Repairs Required By Contract Or Inspections are Completed
  

• Open Escrow with your Title Company
• Deposit Earnest Money with the Title Company
• Provide Necessary Documents the Title Company
• Title Search Is Completed
• Issues with the Title Search are resolved, if necessary
• Settlement/Closing Date & Time Scheduled

  1. With the Title Company/Escrow Officer

  2. With the Buyer

  3. With the Buyer's Lender

• Final Walk-Through Inspection is completed with the Buyer. Click here to print a walk thru inspection form.
• Issues with Walk-Through are resolved, if necessary

Settlement/Closing

• Review Closing Documents 24-48 Hours prior to the Closing
• Resolve Issues with the Closing documents, if Necessary
• Settlement/Closing Day. Be sure to bring your driver's license.
• Go out and Celebrate!