You Sold Your Home- Now What?

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In this solo episode of Jim Sells the Suncoast, Jim walks you through the crucial steps every seller should know once their home goes under contract. From inspections to closing day logistics, this step-by-step guide helps you avoid surprises and keep the deal on track.

Key Highlights

1. Inspection Period
   • A licensed inspector checks for hidden issues (roof leaks, electrical, mold, etc.).
   • Be ready for repair requests or renegotiations if problems turn up.
2. Appraisal Matters
   • Required by most lenders to confirm the home’s value.
   • Low appraisals can lead to price adjustments or buyer making up the difference.
3. Title Search & Clean Ownership
   • Ensures no old liens or claims complicate the sale.
   • Title insurance protects against unexpected legal snags.
4. Seller Disclosures
   • Transparency about known defects is crucial (Florida law requires full disclosure).
   • Undisclosed issues found later can lead to lost deals or legal trouble.
5. Negotiating Repairs or Credits
   • Buyers may request repairs or closing credits.
   • Flexibility can keep the deal alive if the inspection report reveals issues.
6. Timing Your Move
   • Don’t cancel insurance or utilities until the deal closes.
   • Clarify possession dates—if you need extra time post-closing, negotiate in advance.
7. Final Walkthrough
   • Buyer checks the home’s condition, including any agreed-upon repairs or appliances.
   • Missing items or unfinished fixes can delay closing or cost you extra.
8. Closing Day
   • Bring valid ID, review documents, sign away, and collect your proceeds.
   • Once funds clear, the property is officially out of your hands.
9. Post-Closing Wrap-Up
   • Cancel utilities in your name (but not before closing day!).
   • Update your address, notify insurance, and celebrate a job well done.

What’s Next?

Have questions about selling your home or making it through closing without the stress? Reach out to Jim at [e-mail] or visit Jim Sells the Suncoast. Stay tuned for more insider tips to make your next Florida real estate adventure a breeze!

A Personal Note from Jim:

Hey there, I’m Jim Ahearn, your go-to real estate guide and host of Jim Sells The Suncoast podcast! 🎙️✨ Dreaming of Florida life? I’ve got you covered! As your dedicated buyer's agent, I’ll handle everything from walk-throughs to closing, making your home-buying journey as smooth as a Florida breeze.

Whether you're local or tuning in from afar, I’ll bring the Suncoast to you with virtual tours and expert advice. Let’s chat about your dream home and I'll connect you with all the right people to make it happen.

Ready to move to paradise? Drop me a line – I can’t wait to help! 🌴🏡

Episode Transcript

Jim (00:00):
Welcome back to Jim sells us on coast where I take real

(00:03):
estate mysteries and make themas easy to understand as a
beachside cocktail menu.
I'm agent Jim Ahern, your realestate expert, podcaster, and
the guy's here to make sure youdon't lose your mind before
closing day.
Today's topic.
My house is under contract.
Now what you've listed yourhome, survived the showings
negotiated like a champ.

(00:23):
And got an offer.
You couldn't refuse, but beforeyou break out the moving boxes
or the celebratory margarita ora few more steps to get to the
finish line, let's break downthe seller's post acceptance
checklist.
So you don't hit any speed bumpson the way to closing step one,
inspection time, brace yourselfonce the buyer's offer is

(00:44):
accepted.
They'll schedule a homeinspection.
A licensed inspector will gothrough the house like Sherlock
Holmes, looking for roof leaks,electrical quirks, plumbing
mysteries, and generalweirdness.
Depending on the buyer, theymust have checked for termites,
mold, radon, or lead basedpaint.
Florida's humid, which meansmold is basically a state

(01:04):
resident.
What this means for you, if thereport comes back clean,
fantastic.
If not, be ready for repairrequests or negotiations.
A good buyer's agent, likeyou're truly on the other side
of the deal, will help keepthings reasonable, but be
prepared for some back andforth.

(01:25):
Step two, the appraisal.
Does the price match the value?
If the buyer is financing thehome, their lender will send an
appraiser to make sure the houseis actually worth what they're
paying.
If the appraisal matches orexceeds a contract price, smooth
sailing.
If it comes in low, the buyermight ask for a price reduction,
or they'll have to cover thedifference out of pocket.

(01:48):
What does this mean for you?
If you get a low appraisal,don't panic.
We can challenge it, get asecond opinion, or negotiate a
fix.
This is why pricing your homecorrectly from the start is so
important.
If you went too high, this iswhere reality might set in.
Step three, title search,clearing the path, the closing,

(02:08):
your title company will run atitle search to make sure there
are no legal issues.
Think old liens, unpaid taxes,or random long lost heirs who
suddenly claim ownership of yourbackyard.
What does this mean for you?
If your title is clean, great.
If there's an issue like an oldmortgage that wasn't cleared,
you'll need to resolve it beforeclosing.
This is why having titleinsurance is a lifesaver.

(02:31):
It protects against any lastminute surprises that could
derail the sale.
Step four, sellers disclosures.
Transparency is key here.
By now you should have alreadyprovided sellers disclosures.
Which tell the buyer about knownissues, flood history, past
repairs, haunted attic, you nameit.
What does this mean for you?

(02:52):
If you haven't disclosedsomething and the buyer finds
out during inspection, theymight back out or renegotiate.
Florida law requires fulldisclosure of anything that
material affects the value ofthe home.
So honesty really is the bestpolicy here.
Unless you enjoy lawsuits, whichI highly doubt.
Step five, negotiating repairsor avoiding them altogether.

(03:16):
The buyer has seen theinspection report.
Now, they might ask for repairs,they could request a price
reduction or closing credit,they could say all good and move
forward.
What does this mean for you?
You are not required to fixeverything, but some issues
might be a deal breaker.
If you don't want to deal withrepairs, you can offer a credit

(03:37):
and let the buyer handle itafter closing.
A little flexibility here cankeep the deal alive and avoid
losing the buyer.
Step 6.
Packing up, but not too soon.
I get it, you're eager to move,but hold on, because the deal
isn't done until closing day.
What this means for you, don'tcancel your home insurance or

(03:58):
utilities just yet.
Make sure your move out timelinematches what's in the contract.
If you need extra time afterclosing, like a post occupancy
agreement, we'll need tonegotiate that in advance.
No one wants to show up at a newhome only to find you're still
there in a robe making coffee.
Step seven, the finalwalkthrough, last minute check.

(04:20):
Right before closing, the buyerwill do a final walkthrough.
They're making sure the house isin the agreed upon condition.
If repairs were negotiated,they're checking to see that
they're actually done.
If you were supposed to leavecertain items, appliances, light
fixtures, window treatments,They need to be there.
What does this mean for you?

(04:41):
Don't pull a fast one.
If something was agreed upon,stick to it, a missing appliance
or unfinished repair could delayclosing or cost you money.
Step eight closing day, time tosign and get paid.
This is the moment you've beenwaiting for.
And here's how it goes.
Bring a valid ID review, all theclosing documents carefully.

(05:03):
This is where you officiallytransfer ownership.
You are going to sign a lot ofpaperwork.
Hope your hands warmed up.
Get your check or wire transferand celebrate.
What does this mean for you?
Once the funds clear and thedocuments are signed, the house
is no longer yours.
The buyer gets the keys, but youget to walk away with your

(05:23):
profits.
And just like that, you'reofficially free of home
ownership responsibilities.
Until you decide to do it allover again.
So step nine, tying up looseends before you disappear into
the sunset with a margarita.
Don't forget to cancel utilitiesin your name, but don't cut them
off before closing, update youraddresses for mail, banking, and

(05:45):
other important accounts.
Let your insurance company knowyou've sold the property.
And most importantly, giveyourself a pat on the back.
Selling a home is no small featand you made it happen.
Closing.
That's a wrap on today's episodeof Jim sells the Suncoast.
If this checklist helped youshare the episode, subscribe for
some more real estate wisdom.

(06:07):
And if you're selling a home inFlorida, call me, I'll help you
price it right.
Market like a pro and get you toclosing without the stress until
next time.
Happy selling.