If I decide to sell my house myself, what do I need to do after I have found a buyer"

The protocol involving a sale of real estate generally has four major events to it.  The first event is the offer.  The offer sets forth the essential terms of the transaction, i.e. the price, the amount of the deposit, when a formal purchase and sale agreement will be signed, contingencies of the buyer such as financing and inspection, and the closing date. 

Once those essential terms are agreed to, the next event is that the buyer will normally obtain a home inspection to have the property inspected to be sure that the buyer did not miss anything on the visual inspection of the property. 

Following that, the next event is the purchase and sale agreement which more fully spells out the terms of the transaction, including what is included in the sale such as a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, and the like which are not normally fixtures that go with the home or exclusions, such as a dining room chandelier.  It also sets forth the amount of the deposit, the closing date and the mortgage contingencies. 

If the buyers get their financing, the next event is the closing at which the buyers, sellers and brokers meet with the settlement agent at the settlement agent's office who is generally the attorney for the lending institution for the buyer and they "pass papers" including, ultimately, the funds you will receive as a result of the sale.

If you have questions about this or any other real estate matter, please contact Tom Bennett at (617) 531-6574 or tvb@barronstad.com.