HomeBlogPersonal FinanceA Home Selling Checklist for St. Louis Owners Share on Like what you see? Share with a friend. A Home Selling Checklist for St. Louis Owners Chris Kirshenboim | July 28, 2022 Last updated August 10, 2026 A home selling checklist is only useful if it runs in the order the work arrives, so here is what to know when selling a house in St. Louis, start to finish. First, find the paperwork: the deed, the most recent tax bill, your mortgage payoff figure, any lien or judgment against the property, and receipts for work you have had done. Second, get a real number. Closed sales within a mile beat any website estimate, and an appraisal is worth the fee if the house is unusual. Third, choose the route: list with an agent, sell it yourself, or sell directly. Fourth, budget the costs using the full checklist rather than commission alone, because title, concessions, repairs, and the months of payments while it sits all count. Fifth, prepare only what pays: clean it, empty it, and repair what a lender or an inspector will flag. Sixth, plan the move before you accept an offer, because a closing date arrives faster than a house gets packed. Older St. Louis houses add a line of their own, since stone basements, cast iron stacks, and knob and tube wiring can all surface in an inspection. A breakdown of what closing costs cover is worth reading early, inspections and appraisals explains the two reviews that can reprice a deal, and how we buy houses covers the direct route if that list is longer than the time you have. Commissions and Fees Along with the traditional commissions that real estate agents charge, there may also be fees charged for the brokerage services and other costs associated with using an agent. Even if you sell on your own, a buyer is likely to be working with an agent, who will take the commission from your profits. These commissions and fees can run into the thousands and are something you may not be aware of when selling your house in St. Louis. Marketing Marketing is what listing is all about and while yard signs may bring in buyers, the internet is the new highway that brings buyers to your door. Besides the inconveniences of showings, successful marketing comes with costs you may not be aware of when selling your house in St. Louis. In order to compete, online listings require high quality photographs, submitted by a professional photographer. This may also include the services of a professional drone pilot for virtual tours given today's high demand for this feature on listings. Repairs Prepping your home to be in selling condition may be one of the largest and most stressful of the costs you may not be aware of when selling your house in St. Louis. When the last thing you want to do as a seller is to invest even money into the house,this is just what you may end up having to do. Inspections can deliver some very expensive news, especially in older homes. Structural issues, foundation or even plumbing problems can literally run into thousands of dollars. Any known issues with the home must be disclosed. If you aren't able to afford the repairs, be ready to deduct the costs from your asking price. Holding Costs Holding onto a property that is lingering on the market carries costs you may not be aware of when selling your house in St. Louis. One delay could be caused by your buyer being denied financing. If you’ve moved forward with plans and relocated, holding the property is a burden and adds greatly to the listing costs to expect when selling your house in St. Louis. Now, to avoid them there is another option to sell your home quickly, with a definite closing date and firm offer from Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis! Closing Costs Closing costs for the seller are also costs you may not be aware of when selling your house in St. Louis. While some of these costs may be negotiated in the contract, you'll be responsible for items such as the transfer tax and title insurance, there are also escrow and closing fees along with any HOA fees, attorney fees, and prorated property taxes. Some sellers also sweeten the deal to attract buyers by paying a credit towards the closing costs. You could be facing a small fortune in costs that you may not be aware of when selling your house in St. Louis. Why not avoid the listing costs you’d normally expect to pay by selling to Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis instead? With a direct sale to Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis closings are quick, usually within 30 days or less and you don’t need to worry about repairs. Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis takes on the risks, buying your home as-is. Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis even pays all of the closing costs. Send us a message or call us at (314) 334-1481 today to find out more! FAQs Frequently Asked Questions What documents do I need before I can sell my house? + The deed, a current mortgage payoff statement, the latest tax bill, any lien releases, and receipts for major work. Title will ask for all of it eventually, so gather it early. How do I set a price without hiring an agent? + Pull closed sales from the last six months within a mile, adjust for size and condition, and ignore active listings. What sellers are asking is not what buyers have paid. How long does a St. Louis home sale usually take? + A financed sale commonly runs thirty to forty five days from contract to closing on top of time on market. A cash closing can be done inside a couple of weeks.
