Selling Your Home: Value, Net Proceeds & Buyer Payment Sheets

Your roadmap to selling a home

From 'should I sell?' to the money in your account. Once you accept an offer, closing usually follows in 30 to 45 days.

1
Look before you decide
A day or two
You
- Go and see homes in the area you'd move to
- Ask yourself: do I really want to move?
We
- Show you homes where you're thinking of going, with what they'd cost each month
Thinking of moving up? →
What Bill does differently: Before talking about listing, Bill takes you to see where you'd be moving to. If it isn't right, you've lost nothing.
Why it matters: Many people list first and only then find out what their next home costs. Seeing it first tells you whether moving is right, before you spend money getting your home ready.
Questions to ask
- What would I get for my money there?
- Would my monthly cost go up or down?
- Would I be happier there, or is it better to improve the home I have?
Who's involved
You and your Realtor.
What it costs
Free, with no obligation to sell.
2
Find out what it's worth
1 day
You
- Get an online estimate, then a personal valuation
We
- Prepare a market analysis from recent nearby sales and your home's condition
What's my home worth? →
Why it matters: Online estimates can miss upgrades and condition. A market analysis uses recent sales of similar homes nearby.
Questions to ask
- Which recent sales are most like my home?
- What would raise or lower the price?
- How long are similar homes taking to sell?
Who's involved
Your Realtor. An appraiser only if you want one.
What it costs
Free from us. A pre-listing appraisal is optional, often $400 to $700.
Tip: Price is the biggest factor in how fast a home sells.
3
Know what you'll walk away with
An evening
You
- Check your loan payoff and moving costs
We
- Estimate your net proceeds after the loan payoff, commission, title and closing costs
Seller net proceeds →
Why it matters: Knowing your net tells you what you can spend on the next home.
Questions to ask
- What's my exact loan payoff?
- What are the Florida deed stamps on my price?
- Are there HOA estoppel fees or special assessments?
Who's involved
You, your Realtor and the title company.
What it costs
Typical seller costs: commission (negotiable), Florida deed stamps ($0.70 per $100 of price in most counties), title and closing fees, any agreed buyer credits.
Tip: Ask your lender for a payoff figure. It's usually a little more than the balance on your statement.
4
Decide the order: buy or sell first?
A conversation
You
- Decide whether to buy first, sell first, or make a contingent offer
We
- Show the numbers for each option
The buying and selling roadmap →
Why it matters: If you're buying another home, the order matters. Each way has costs and risks.
Questions to ask
- Could I carry two payments for a while?
- Could I stay in my home after closing (a rent-back)?
- Would a bridge loan or HELOC help?
Who's involved
Your Realtor and your loan officer. We're both, so one plan covers both sides.
What it costs
Free.
5
Prepare the home
1 to 4 weeks
You
- Repair, declutter and clean
- Gather HOA documents, permits and warranties
We
- Suggest the few fixes that pay for themselves, and the ones to skip
Getting your home ready →
Why it matters: First impressions online and at the door decide whether buyers come to see it.
Questions to ask
- Which repairs would a buyer's inspector flag?
- Should I paint, stage or leave it?
- Do I have permits for past work?
Who's involved
You, plus handymen, cleaners, painters or a stager if needed.
What it costs
From almost nothing to a few thousand dollars. We'll suggest only what's likely to pay off.
Tip: A pre-listing inspection can avoid surprises later.
6
Price and list
1 week
You
- Sign the listing agreement and complete the seller's disclosure
We
- Price it from the data, arrange photos, list it on the MLS and market it
Why it matters: The first two weeks on the market bring the most interest, so the right price from day one matters.
Questions to ask
- How will you market my home?
- How will showings be arranged?
- What's the commission, and is it negotiable?
Who's involved
You, your Realtor and a photographer.
What it costs
Commission is set out in your listing agreement and is negotiable. Photos are usually included.
Tip: In Florida you must tell buyers about known defects that affect the home's value.
7
Showings and open houses
Often 1 to 6 weeks
You
- Keep the home show-ready
We
- Schedule showings, collect feedback and adjust if needed
Buyer Payment Sheet for your listing →
Why it matters: Feedback from showings tells us whether the price and presentation are right.
Questions to ask
- What are buyers saying?
- Should we adjust anything after two weeks?
Who's involved
You and your Realtor.
What it costs
No extra cost.
Tip: Secure valuables and medications during showings.
8
Review offers and negotiate
1 to 3 days
You
- Choose the offer that fits you best, not just the highest price
We
- Compare price, financing, contingencies and dates, and negotiate for you
Why it matters: Strong financing and fewer conditions can be worth more than a slightly higher price.
Questions to ask
- Is the buyer pre-approved, and with what loan?
- What's the deposit and inspection period?
- Does the closing date work with my move?
Who's involved
You, your Realtor and the buyer's agent.
What it costs
No extra cost.
9
Inspection and appraisal
2 to 3 weeks
You
- Respond to repair requests
We
- Negotiate repairs or credits and keep the buyer's loan on schedule
Why it matters: The buyer can ask for repairs or walk away during the inspection period. The appraisal must support the price for most loans.
Questions to ask
- Should I repair, give a credit or lower the price?
- What if the appraisal is low?
Who's involved
The buyer's inspector and appraiser; you and your Realtor respond.
What it costs
Any repairs or credits you agree to.
10
Get ready to close
The last week
You
- Plan your move
- Keep insurance and utilities on until closing, then transfer them
We
- Coordinate the title company, your loan payoff and any HOA paperwork
Why it matters: The title company pays off your loan and clears the title so the sale can close.
Questions to ask
- Where do I sign, and do I need to be there?
- How will my proceeds be paid?
Who's involved
Title company, your Realtor and your lender.
What it costs
Covered in your closing figures.
Tip: Leave keys, remotes, codes and manuals for the buyer.
11
Closing day
About an hour
You
- Sign and hand over the keys
We
- Make sure your proceeds are sent to you
Why it matters: Once the deed is recorded, the sale is complete and your money is sent.
Questions to ask
- When will my proceeds arrive?
- When should I cancel my homeowner's insurance?
Who's involved
Title company or closing attorney.
What it costs
Deducted from your proceeds.
Tip: Your old lender should refund any escrow balance within 30 days.

Times are typical, not guaranteed; every purchase and sale is different.

Getting your home ready

First impressions: tidy landscaping, a clean entrance and fresh paint where needed.
Declutter and deep clean: buyers need to picture their own life in the home.
Fix the small things: leaks, sticking doors, broken fixtures and anything an inspector would flag.
Gather paperwork: roof and AC ages, permits, warranties, HOA documents and recent utility bills.
Plan the timing of your next move, especially if you are buying at the same time.

A personal Seller Prep Checklist and timeline is coming soon. In the meantime, we can walk you through it.

Common questions

How do I find out what my home is worth?

Start with the free home value report, which updates monthly with local sales. For a precise price, we prepare a comparative market analysis based on recent nearby sales and your home's condition.

What does it cost to sell a home in Florida?

Typically agent commissions (negotiable), Florida deed stamps of 0.70% of the price in most counties, title and closing fees, prorated property taxes and any repairs or credits agreed with the buyer. The net proceeds calculator adds it all up.

Should I make repairs before listing?

Fix anything that would worry a buyer or an inspector, plus inexpensive improvements like paint, landscaping and a deep clean. Big renovations rarely pay back in full. A prep plan helps you focus on what matters.

Can I buy my next home before selling this one?

Often yes, using your equity, a bridge option, or by qualifying with both payments. As both a Realtor and loan officer, we can plan the timing of both sides.

Sell with a clear plan and real numbers

Your roadmap to selling a home

Look before you decide

Find out what it's worth

Know what you'll walk away with

Decide the order: buy or sell first?

Prepare the home

Price and list

Showings and open houses

Review offers and negotiate

Inspection and appraisal

Get ready to close

Closing day

Getting your home ready

Common questions

Your next step: Offers

Talk to us about selling