Home Seller’s Guide: From Listing to Closing
A Step-by-Step Checklist for Selling Your Home
Selling a home is a process that typically takes 60 to 75 days from contract to closing, but the overall timeline depends on market conditions, marketing strategies, and buyer financing. This checklist outlines each sale phase, from listing to handing over the keys.
Pre-Listing & Marketing Preparation (Weeks 1-2)
✔ Meet with your real estate agent – Discuss pricing strategy, market conditions, and
expectations.
✔ Prepare your home for the market – Declutter, deep clean, and complete any minor repairs
or touch-ups.
✔ Stage your home (if necessary) – Well-staged homes often sell faster and for higher prices.
✔ Professional photography & videography – High-quality images and video tours increase
buyer interest.
✔ Determine a marketing strategy – Your agent will promote the home through:
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Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
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Social media marketing (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)
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Targeted email campaigns
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Paid advertising and sponsored posts
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Print marketing (postcards)
⏳ Estimated Timeframe: 1-2 Weeks
Active Listing & Buyer Interest (Weeks 2-6)
✔ List your home on the market – Your home goes live on MLS and other online platforms.
✔ Schedule and host an open house – Helps generate interest and bring in potential buyers.
✔ Respond to showing requests – Be flexible with scheduling to accommodate serious buyers.
✔ Monitor market feedback – Adjust pricing or marketing strategy based on interest and offers
if needed.
⏳ Estimated Timeframe: 2-4 Weeks
Receiving & Negotiating Offers (Weeks 4-6)
✔ Review all offers with your agent – Consider price, contingencies, and buyer financing.
✔ Negotiate terms – Counteroffers may be made on price, closing costs, or contingencies.
✔ Accept an offer & sign the purchase contract – Once agreed, both parties sign, and the
buyer deposits earnest money.
⏳ Estimated Timeframe: 1 Week
Contract to Closing Process (Weeks 6-10)
✔ Attorney contract review – In New York, both the buyer’s and seller’s attorneys review the
contract.
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Our trusted providers are Palumbo & Bertrand, Shane Firkel, Morgan Associates, and Tiveron Law.
✔ Home inspection (if applicable) – The buyer may request repairs or credits after the
inspection.
✔ Appraisal ordered by the buyer’s lender – Ensures the home is valued appropriately for
financing.
✔ Title search conducted – The title company verifies ownership and any outstanding liens.
✔ Negotiate any final details – If issues arise, you may need to negotiate repairs or closing
credits.
✔ Final loan approval from the buyer’s lender – The mortgage commitment letter is issued.
✔ Prepare for closing – Arrange for your move-out and transfer utilities out of your name.
⏳ Estimated Timeframe: 4-6 Weeks
Closing Day (Weeks 10-11)
✔ Sign closing documents – Finalize the sale and transfer ownership.
✔ Hand over the keys, garage openers, and access codes – The buyer takes possession once
the transaction is complete.
✔ Receive sale proceeds – After any mortgage payoff and closing costs are deducted, you
receive the remaining balance.
⏳ Estimated Timeframe: Closing takes 1-2 hours
After Closing
✔ Cancel homeowners insurance – Ensure the policy ends the day after closing.
✔ Forward your mail to your new address – Update your information with USPS, banks, and
services.
✔ Keep a copy of your closing documents – You may need them for tax purposes.
Following this checklist gives you a seamless experience from listing to closing. If you have any
questions, I’m here to help! Please keep in mind the estimated timeframe is precisely that,
estimated. The actual transaction process can vary from transaction to transaction.