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Things You Need to Complete When Selling a House

Jay Primrose Properties • June 2, 2023

The process of selling your house requires lots of paperwork. It can be tiring, especially if you lack knowledge about the real estate market. Error in paperwork and documentation can lead to delays before you close your house-selling deal. Therefore, if you are looking for a we buy houses Tacoma company, consider hiring a professional real estate agent to ensure a smooth process. Without the proper documents, it can be challenging to complete the process. That said, here are essential things you need to complete when selling your home.

Mortgage Loan Documentation

If you took a mortgage to purchase your home, you need to produce the mortgage loan documentation. This document contains information about your account and how much you owe your lender. You can obtain this document by contacting your lender. The paperwork has your payoff amount. It indicates whether you have satisfied the lender with what you have paid, despite not showing the current balance. Thus, if you consider the sell my house fast Tacoma option, ensure you have this paperwork in your hand.

Home Repair and Maintenance Records

This paperwork is evidence that you have taken care of your home. The document also notifies new homeowners of the repairs to handle once they move in. It contains records of recent paintings, gas and electric system utility maps and maintenance receipts such as roof repairs.


Appraisers are notorious for requiring a roof to be replaced, for example, as a condition of a loan when it comes to FHA and VA financing. Replacing a roof that is at the end of its life before putting your home on the market will go a long way to solidifying buyer confidence in deciding to make an offer.


The buyer (and you) won’t have to sweat what an inspector says, deal with a potential renegotiation before closing or face a price reduction. The last thing you want to be doing is putting on a new roof in the midst of trying to pack.(1) Therefore, this document helps you to avoid the hassle of selling a home.

Homeowners Association (HOA) Documents

A homeowners association has set rules and guidelines for home sellers. It shows what you can do with your home. It contains information, including the homeowner's dues amount statement, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and copies of meeting minutes for the past two years. To build trust, these are papers to show your buyer before selling your home.

Proof of Identity

Like other sectors, the real estate market also has scammers. Hence, you need proof of identity to complete the home sale. If you're considering sell my house fast tacoma washington, you need to provide proof of identity to the real estate agents. Documents that can prove you're the homeowner include a bank statement, driving license, or a utility bill that isn't more than three months old.

FENSA or CERTASS Certificates for Windows

If you experienced storm damage and had to replace your windows, you need to provide a FENSA or CERTASS certificate to home buyers or real estate agents. This proves that your windows comply with building codes and that home buyers are safe. However, if you don't have this certificate, you have to pay indemnity insurance for the new homeowner.

Manuals and Warranties

If choosing the option of sell my house fast in Tacoma, you need to provide manuals and warranties for all your appliances. This gives the new buyer confidence that you bought all appliances legally and that they could get a replacement if they get damaged. You need to provide warranties for appliances such as stoves, cookers, refrigerators, and dishwashers. A potential home buyer can avoid purchasing your home if you lack the warranties or the appliances are too old and worn out.

Homeowners Insurance Records

Most homes experience damage during the time people live in them. Thus, it would help if you were honest with the new buyer about your home's damages and repairs over time. You need to provide a homeowner’s insurance information on how your insurance company handled the damage. This document is necessary because new home buyers know what to expect in terms of insurance costs after purchasing your home.

Electrical Checks

Faulty or damaged electrical wires are hazardous and can cause fires or deaths. Therefore, before selling your home, you need electrical checks for altered or electrical wiring in your home. This document indicates that a professional carried out all the electrical work in your house. However, if your home needs such electrical work, you don't have to provide the paperwork to the seller. Instead, the buyer is responsible for checking whether the electrical wiring is safe.

Leasehold Documents

You need to provide a leasehold document to the buyer if your property is on leasehold. The document should state how many years your property has been on lease and the current charges. However, most homeowners avoid purchasing leasehold properties that can't receive a mortgage. The property must be more than 80 years old to get a mortgage cover. By providing this paperwork, the buyer understands the administration fee, hazard assessments, and the major works on the roof.

Original Sales Contract

This paperwork shows the agreement you had with the previous homeowner. The contract answers questions about who has owned the house, the time frame they owned the house and the reason for selling. This way, the new homeowner can understand the current terms and conditions. Also, this document explains all the disclosures contained in the house sale.

Bottom Line

The above documentations are the essential things you need to complete before selling your home. A lack of these documents means that closing the sale deal is impossible. Again, most homeowners avoid buying houses if homeowners can't provide the necessary documents, such as proof of identity, manuals, and warranties, because they could cost them in the future. However, you can sell your house for cash to agents who buy a house as-is if you need to avoid the complicated paperwork.

Give us a call anytime at 253-697-0007 or fill out this quick form to get started today!

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About the author

Justin Baker

Justin Baker is the founder of Jay Primrose Properties, a leading cash home buying company based in Tacoma, WA. With a passion for real estate investing, Justin has helped numerous homeowners in the Pacific Northwest region sell their homes quickly and hassle-free. Justin believes that buying and selling real estate should be a seamless process and works tirelessly to ensure that his clients have a stress-free experience. With a deep understanding of the local real estate market and a commitment to exceptional customer service, Justin has established himself as a trusted and reliable cash home buyer in Tacoma and the surrounding areas.

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