13 Essential Documents You Need To Sell Your Home

Selling your home can be daunting if you don’t follow the right procedures. The heavy paperwork involved in the entire process makes it even more complicated. A typical home sale document may require about 180 pieces of paper, which may include reports, contracts, and forms. Understanding the essential documents required for selling a home is important to close the deal. Fortunately, various professionals like real estate agents, mortgage representatives, and property inspectors can provide you with the necessary assistance to organize these documents. Here are some important papers you need to sell your home.

1. Homeowners Insurance

Home sellers should continue insurance coverage until the closing is complete to ensure there are no gaps. Although not all brokers require this step, not having it is a big red flag. Sellers must always strive to maintain homeowners insurance coverage to meet their mortgage requirements. Many states also require this document as a crucial part of the agreement. It would help if you tracked down every insurance paperwork before listing your home for sale.

2. Maintenance and repair records

These are the next most important documents to maintain as a homeowner looking to sell your property. Disclose repair issues with your home to the buyer, as these are essential facts they should know. For example, you may struggle to remember which year you replaced a water heater. That said, providing incorrect information could create liability problems. Therefore, keep repair and maintenance documents handy.

3. Original sales contract

Saving all the paperwork from your original purchase is important. While original sales contracts are not always required, future prospective buyers may want to understand the contract you signed when you initially bought the home. Moreover, they can help straighten out any title mishaps that could impact the sale along the line.

4. Land registry title deeds

Land title deeds show that you are the real owner of a property. Your solicitor may send these documents to you when you buy a new home. However, checking with your mortgage company is advisable if you can’t find them; they may hold the original deeds. Another easy way to get your title deeds is to check with the land registry and request a copy. It's worth noting that selling a home without land title documents can be challenging as you may not be able to prove you are a legitimate owner. A conveyancing solicitor may come in handy if you need to put forward your case and first application together.

5. Lease documents

Digging out your lease document is necessary when you are selling a leasehold property. Make sure you work with a top realtor who can highlight the property’s tenure in the marketing material. Your real estate agent can also set out the remaining number of years on the lease, current ground rent, services, and planned increases. But remember that the majority of mortgages don't cover shorter leases, with less than 80 years. This is because a short lease can impede your home sale. Therefore, you may want to find ways to extend it if you have been using the property for years. Your solicitor may have to contact your freeholder or managing agent to get the required leasehold information, which can take time, so make sure you don’t delay this process.

6. Electrical checks

Homeowners who have altered their wiring may have to obtain a Part B Building Regulation Certificate and keep it handy for the solicitor to send to the buyer. Electrical inspection documents prove that all electrical installations and updates adhere to the standards, keeping your buyer's mind at peace. You can easily get this certificate from the technician who carried out the electrical work. Sellers who have not made any significant modifications to their electrical installation may not have to provide buyers with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The ultimate responsibility usually rests on the buyer to ensure the home is safe.

7. Planning permission and building regulation certificates

Property owners who have made changes to their homes may have to produce evidence regarding proper approvals and consent. Planning permissions and building regulation certificates are two essential documents sellers should have. Therefore, make sure you keep details of any alteration work that doesn’t have the right consents and permissions. Those who live in listed buildings, too, need to obtain consent for interior and exterior works. Similarly, you may need to get consent forms if you are in a conservation area to comply with local rules.

8. Guarantees and warranties

No building is perfect, so avoid making uninformed assumptions that yours is. Responsible homeowners often take preventative approaches to maintenance. There is a good chance you took some action to treat some wrong things before. It would be best if you kept those receipts or guarantees for the work you undertook. The same is true for warranties you got for electrical goods and other fixtures and fittings. Some buyers may want to purchase appliances and furniture pieces you don't want to relocate. You can include these items in the fee or give them free to the buyer. Having warranties and guarantees sooner than later can speed up your house sale.

9. Energy performance certificate

Another document worth keeping is an energy performance certificate (EPC). You probably already have this information, provided you purchased your home in the last decade. Otherwise, get one before marketing your property. You can arrange with a local accredited energy assessor company to obtain your energy performance certificate on time.

10. Mortgage statements

A major aspect of home sales involves ensuring that your finances are on point. Mortgage statements are especially vital for those who haven't finished paying their mortgage. Therefore, try to collect all relevant information relating to mortgages, including loan estimates, escrow accounts, and disclosure. These documents can help you know how much of your home sale should go to the lender and how much will remain in your pocket. Consider requesting a copy of this from your lender before selling your home.

11. Certificate of occupancy

A certificate of occupancy is an official document that ascertains that your home is fit for people to live in. Your local municipality can conduct safety inspections to ensure your property is in line with the codes. Does your home need repairs? Make sure you get inspectors to re-check it before obtaining the certificate of occupancy. After all, you don't want to sell a home that is not habitable.

12. Homeowners Association Agreements (HOA)

Homeowners who reside in neighborhoods with homeowners associations may have to follow rules like quiet hours, street parking, and pet ownership responsibilities. Therefore, make sure you outline these agreements and add them to the paperwork for the new homeowner. Including other information, like receipts for HOA membership dues, may also be helpful. Finally, don't forget to notify the homeowners’ association about your decision to sell the home. Contacting them sooner is better than later.

13. Property survey

Consider hiring an inspector to conduct a new property survey if you lack up-to-date information. This documentation lets prospective buyers know what they will be getting in the sale. It includes important details such as property size, boundary lines, neighboring buildings on site, and legal description of the home. Depending on the dimensions and shape of your property, you also have to consider other forms of surveys that include information on land topography, hazard areas, and easements (land portions with shared access). Property survey documents are essential for ensuring that all parties are on the same page when it comes to knowledge of all parts of the property.