MyHomeSale

Documents You'll Need to Sell

Every document a home sale typically requires, grouped so you can gather them before anyone asks.

4 min read · Updated June 2026

Home sales run on paperwork. Buyers, agents, title companies, and lenders will all ask you for documents at different points — and scrambling to find them mid-transaction is stressful. Gather everything below into one folder (physical or digital) before you list, and you’ll be able to answer almost any request the same day.

Exact requirements vary by state and by transaction, so treat this as a thorough starting point rather than a legal list.

Ownership and mortgage documents

  • Deed — the document showing you own the property. The title company can usually pull a copy if you can’t find yours.
  • Mortgage statement(s) — your most recent statement for every loan on the property, including second mortgages and HELOCs.
  • Payoff quote — an official statement from each lender showing exactly what it takes to pay the loan off, including interest through a specific date. Request this early; it’s central to estimating your net proceeds.
  • Title insurance policy — the owner’s policy from when you bought the home, if you have it.
  • Property survey or plat — if you have one from your purchase, it can save time and money.
  • Property tax records — your most recent tax bill and assessment.
  • Homeowners insurance policy — buyers and title companies sometimes ask about claims history.

Property records: permits, warranties, HOA

  • Permits and approvals — records for any additions, decks, finished basements, or major work. Unpermitted work is a common snag, so know where you stand before a buyer asks.
  • Warranties — roof, HVAC, water heater, windows, appliances, foundation or pest treatments. Transferable warranties are a genuine selling point.
  • Manuals and service records — furnace servicing, septic pumping, chimney cleaning, and similar maintenance history reassure buyers.
  • Receipts for major repairs and improvements — these support your asking price and may matter later for capital gains calculations.
  • Utility bills — roughly a year of electric, gas, water, and sewer bills; buyers frequently ask about operating costs.
  • HOA documents — if you’re in an association: covenants (CC&Rs), bylaws, current dues statement, contact information, and any pending special assessments. Many states require sellers to deliver an HOA resale package.
  • Lease agreements — if any part of the property is rented, buyers will need the leases and deposit details.
  • Solar or equipment contracts — leased solar panels, propane tanks, water softeners, or security systems with contracts that transfer to the buyer.

Disclosure forms

  • State seller disclosure form — most states require a written disclosure covering the property’s condition and known defects. Complete it honestly; disclosure disputes are among the most common post-sale legal problems.
  • Lead-based paint disclosure — federally required for homes built before 1978, along with the EPA pamphlet.
  • Past inspection reports — reports from your purchase or a pre-listing inspection. Note that in many states, once you know about a defect from a report, you generally must disclose it.
  • Repair documentation — proof that previously disclosed issues (water intrusion, pests, foundation) were professionally corrected.
  • Insurance claims history — a record of past claims on the home, which some buyers request.

For closing day

  • Government-issued photo ID — a current driver’s license or passport for every person on the title. Names should match the deed.
  • Wire instructions for your proceeds — verified directly with the title or escrow company by phone, never solely by email, since wire fraud targets real-estate closings.
  • All keys, remotes, and codes — house keys, mailbox keys, garage remotes, gate and alarm codes, smart-lock credentials.
  • Power of attorney or trust documents — if anyone on title can’t attend, or the home is held in a trust or estate, the title company needs these well before closing, not on the day.
  • Divorce decree or death certificate — when ownership changed through divorce or a co-owner’s death, title will need the supporting documents.
  • Your forwarding address — for the final settlement statement, tax forms, and any refunds.

Start a checklist against this list the week you decide to sell. Most items take five minutes to locate — but a missing payoff quote, trust document, or permit can delay a closing by days or weeks.