Selling your home without a realtor is not as difficult as you might think. There are many home buyers and home-buying companies willing to close the deal, even without a real estate agent. However, if you’re looking to sell your house without using the services of a realtor, you should be ready to handle some paperwork yourself.
This guide will go over all the legal documents you need to sell your house, as well as what they entail and why you need them in the first place.
Original Sale Contract
You will first need an original sale contract (also known as Agreement of Purchase) signed by both you and your buyer. This contract details everything you have agreed upon during negotiations, including purchase price, closing date, inspection and financing contingencies, buyer name and contact information, seller name and contact information, and other aspects of the sale not already covered in other contracts. Here’s an example of an Agreement of Purchase.
Homeowners Insurance Records
This form, sometimes called an Owner’s Policy Declarations Page, documents who has insurance on a house and what types of coverage are purchased. A copy must be given to buyers when selling the property without the help of a real estate agent. If you don’t provide them with a copy, they may need to file their claim after buying your home. Some examples of typical homeowners insurance include:
● Home structure coverage
● Personal belongings coverage
● Flood and fire coverage
● Liability protection
Purchase and Sale Agreement
The Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) is an agreement between buyer and seller that outlines their rights and responsibilities in a particular transaction. A PSA is usually one of the crucial documents created when buyers decide they want to purchase a home or if it’s necessary for any situation where two parties are going into business together but not under contract with each other. Check an example of PSA here.
Settlement Statement
Settlement is a legal term referring to when you, as a homeowner, and your lender officially transfers ownership of your home. The settlement statement outlines precisely how much money you’ll receive for your house. This document will also lay out details about any loans or mortgages remaining on your property. Be sure to read over everything on your settlement statement closely before signing it. Check an example of this document here.
Affidavit of Title
An owner’s lien conveys real estate in every state, so you need to show that you have legal title. The affidavit of title lists all owners (past and present) and any encumbrances, such as mortgages or tax liens. It will also list whether or not there are current taxes owed on the property. The buyer has to see these details before they make an offer on your house. Here’s an example of an Affidavit of Title.
Endnote
Selling a home without a realtor requires the buyer and seller to sign several documents, including the sale contract and an addendum that states you’re doing so without representation from an agent or broker. Once you have gone through the home selling process for the first time, you can sell your next house on your own conveniently and with fewer issues.