Home Selling Checklist

Some of the most successful people attribute their success to planning. Urban Meyer, former University of Utah Football Coach said, "I have yet to be in a game where the most prepared team didn't win.”   Benjamin Franklin said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Taking the time to think through your move.  Talking about what is important to you will prove most fruitful. Do not forget to write everything down as tedious as the process below might appear.

• Why are you selling a home? Evaluate Market conditions in light of alternatives, such as renting, refinancing or improving your home
• It's a seller's market
• Bigger home
• Can't afford
• Smaller Home
• Facing Foreclosure
• Moving out of state


• Collect information
• Mortgage Statement
• Last appraisal
• Request history of utility bills from utility companies
• Tax evaluation
• Improvement receipts
• Tax professional
• Complete a home inspection
• Consider getting an appraisal to compare
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• Make a list of needed repairs or maintenance that you know about
• Clean windows inside and out
• Flooring
• Plumbing
• Blinds
• Peeling paint
• Large Concrete Cracks
• Sprinkling System
• Roof shingles
• gutters
• Furnace Filter
• Cracked windows
• Sticky Doors
• Over-grown trees
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• Request and Watch Videos to aid in staging and preparation
• Feng Shui videos
• Staging your home
• Curb Appeal


• Make Minor Improvements
• Spruce up the entryway to make it more inviting.
• Plant flowers in the front yard to increase drive-by appeal.
• Remove and store belongings that clutter up rooms.
• Make other home improvements deemed essential.


• Prepare to interview REALTORS
• Organize the information you collected
• Write down questions for your agent that are important to you
• Write down your expectations of your REALTOR
• Performance Based Commission
• Skilled to handle your unique situation (short sale)
• Is Company brand important?
• Is the professional's experience important?
• Do you feel certifications like Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) make a difference?
• How often you want them to communicate with you?
• Are open houses important & why
• Do you expect them to show the property themselves
• Price, Price, Price
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• Schedule a meeting or Interview(s)
• What do you want them to provide?
  • Give you more minor improvement suggestions
  • An in-depth analysis of the city and neighborhood market?
  • A marketing plan
  • Testimonials
  • Explain the process in detail
  • Satisfaction guarantee
• Invite Darrell Catmull of Destiny Real Estate to interview
• Do an internet search using keywords like "House Value" "(your zip code)"
• Ask for referrals from people you know
• If you like them, invite the agent you used to buy the home
Both you and the agent are likely nervous. If the agent spends more time listening than talking that's a good sign. You will also want to see if they have more than an opinion about the market. Do they know current statistics about the market and can they articulate them to you without boring you?

• READY, SET, SELL
• Plan sufficient time to keep the home spotless
• Plan on short notice showings
• Turn on all the lights to the house
• Open blinds if there is daylight
• Plan on leaving when buyers show up
• Notify you agent when buyers leave or don't show up
• Notify your agent if you are going on trips or are entertaining
• Turn on air fresheners or spread sage throughout the house
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Congratulations! If you choose a competent and outgoing agent and heed the above information your home selling experience will be less stressful and likely most enjoyable.