Sellers should check this list before putting home on market

You have decided to put your house on the market. Granted, your Realtor will make the process of finding a buyer easier. Nonetheless, there are things your Realtor or a prospective buyer will need to know about in order to expedite the process — information you will need to have ready before you put your house on the market.

A basic checklist for you, the seller, includes the following items. Of course, these items are not to be thrown about indiscriminately, but in the proper context of a serious offer, you will likely need to have them readily available.

Have a copy of the warranty deed and title-insurance papers.

Have a plat of the property.

Have your mortgage papers on hand. Have a list of the annual property taxes and other assessments.

Have a copy of your termite policy on hand.

Have your homeowner’s insurance policy on hand.

Have a list of the nearby schools, churches, clubs, shopping facilities and other neighborhood amenities that a buyer would appreciate knowing.

If you have made any improvements to your house or lot, have on hand a list of what has been done, by whom and when. If you don’t have this exact information, give generalities.

Have a package that contains manufacturers’ instructions, service information and warranties on any appliances and home systems that will stay with the house when it is sold.

Have a layout of your lot that shows the location of the septic system or any amenity or utility access that is underground, and the dimensions of any right of way that may not be on the plat.

You may have concluded — and correctly so — from this basic list that there is more to selling a house than simply having the desire to do so. You want the process to be as smooth and stress-free as possible, and potential buyers are going to want to make a wise purchase decision. To help them, have on hand information they may want or need to know.

House to House is distributed by the Arkansas Realtors Association. For more information about homeownership in Arkansas, visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.