Use this handy reference to track your progress. Remember, the most important step you can take is to educate yourself about how to sell. By investing time and preparing well, you will reap the benefits.

Your Quick Guide Checklist for a Successful Sale

Step 1. Prepare Your Home

Interior

• Remove clutter.
• Clean carpet and closets.
• Thoroughly clean your home.
• Store valuable items.
• Donate or store unneeded items.
• Paint interior, if necessary.
• Fix leaks.
• Make repairs.

Exterior

• Create curb appeal by improving the appearance of your home’s exterior and its surroundings.
• Make repairs.
• Paint exterior.
• Beautify your front entryway.
  

Step 2. Prepare to Sell

• Hire an attorney.
• Comply with local truth-in-housing inspection requirements and seller
  disclosures. (See our Web site [www.HomeAvenue.com] for phone numbers.)
  
• Find a mortgage company that you could recommend to a buyer who hasn’t
  been preapproved. (Call HomeAvenue for a referral.)

Step 3. Price Your Home

• Price your house fairly.
• Determine your home’s value through market analysis or appraisal.
• Research newspapers and the Internet for comparative information.
• Visit open houses in your area.
• Decide what price you’re willing to accept before you show your house.

Step 4. Market Your Home

• Rent and install professional yard signs from HomeAvenue.
• Place "Home for Sale" directional signs (check for city sign ordinances).
• Get the word out: Tell everyone you know you’re selling your home.
• Create a marketing plan to promote your house.
• Advertise on the Internet with www.HomeAvenue.com.
• Distribute color brochures to potential buyers.
• Place large descriptive line/picture ads in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press
  newspapers. Call HomeAvenue at (952) 929-7355 to place your ad at a discount.
• Analyze your market.
• Advertise in an open house directory.
• List your home on your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), if you’re willing to pay a commission to the selling agent.

Step 5. Show Your Home

• Hold open houses and private showings.
• Provide fact sheets to potential buyers.
• Keep a guest registry form (see forms) for names and addresses of prospects and notes about them.
• Prequalify buyers.
• Put an informative message on your answering machine or voicemail.
• Instruct family members on how to respond to phone calls from prospective
  buyers.
• Secure valuables before showings.
• Follow up with potential buyers.

Step 6. Accept an Offer

• Contact your attorney.
• Review the offer.
• Use a worksheet. (See Forms.)
• Draft a purchase agreement.
• Accept offer or negotiate with a counter offer.
• Set up an earnest-money account.
• Make sure buyer is preapproved for a loan.
• Encourage buyer to hire an inspector.
• Submit seller disclosure and have buyer sign acceptance form.
• Be fair to original party when considering multiple offers.

Step 7. Close the Deal

• Make sure escrow money is in an account.
• Resolve any problems involving the title to your property.
• Make sure inspections are completed.
• Make sure buyer is approved for financing before you complete inspection
  repairs.
• Hold final walk-through.
• Sign on the dotted line.
• Sweep up and celebrate!

Remember
Call HomeAvenue to inform us of your sale, schedule the removal or return of your signs, and update your MLS listing (if applicable).