What To Do Before Selling Your House In Fort Walton Beach
Not sure what to do before selling your house in Fort Walton Beach? You don't have to figure it out alone. Here are the seven things that matter most before a home goes on the market, and I help with most of them.
Fort Walton Beach
- Shalimar
- Navarre
- Niceville
- Crestview
- Mary Esther
- Destin
- DeFuniak Springs
Selling a home can feel like a long list you're supposed to figure out alone. I don't think it should.
I love my job because I get to take the heavy parts off your plate and walk you through the rest, one step at a time. Most of what's on this list, I do with you or for you.
Never sold a home before? This guide is for you too. I've recently helped quite a few first-time sellers, and these seven steps answer the questions they ask most.
Tap each card below to see what I handle and the little I'll ask of you. Then grab the free checklist to keep.
Watch
The Seven Steps, In Under 4 Minutes
Prefer to watch? Here's what to do before selling your house in Fort Walton Beach, step by step, and what I handle for you along the way.
The Seven Steps
What I Handle For You
Seven steps before listing, and where I come in on each one.
Understand Your CMA Value
A report built from real sales near you.
Tap to see more →What I do
I send you a report with closed sales and a few active homes, then explain the different price points you can list at and what the data says about each one.
See what homes are really selling for →
What I ask of you
Read it with me, and tell me your goal: top price, fastest sale, or a set move-out date.
Know Your Net Before You Decide
What you could walk away with.
Tap to see more →What I do
Before you decide to list, I give you as close an estimate as I can: mortgage payoffs, liens or loans, back taxes, tax proration, closing costs, concessions, and a roof replacement from proceeds if one's needed. Then I keep updating it as the sale moves forward.
See a real net-proceeds example →
What I ask of you
Your questions. I'll walk through every line with you.
Make Your Updates List
Show off the care you've put in.
Tap to see more →What I do
I track down the paperwork: your HOA or condo documents, and, with your permission, records from the title company you used. If you give me a contractor's name, I can look up the invoice.
What I ask of you
A list of updates since you moved in, plus any that came with the home. Check your email for paperwork. A survey isn't required.
I Check the Big-Ticket Items
HVAC, roof and permits, handled.
Tap to see more →What I do
I read the serial numbers to find the age of your HVAC, indoor handler and outdoor unit, and I see if they've been serviced. If service is needed, I call the company that served them before. I look up your roof permit and replacement date, plus other permits, and request them if you don't have them.
Older roof or HVAC? Here's how selling works →
What I ask of you
Just tell me anything you remember about work done on the home.
Know Your Insurance Coverage
Flood zone and buyer quotes, covered.
Tap to see more →What I do
I check whether your home is in a flood zone, and I'll get the buyer a flood insurance quote if they request one. I also call local insurance contacts to find out what buyers will need.
If your insurance dropped you, start here →
What I ask of you
The name of your current insurance company, and about how much you pay each year. That's all.
Small Fixes & Photo-Ready Prep
I come in and do it with you.
Tap to see more →What I do
I handle the small repairs, help you depersonalize, stage the home, and get it ready for photos, so you don't have to make your house show-ready.
What I ask of you
Send me invoices for any repairs you've already had done, if you have them. They're helpful, but not required.
Plan Your Timeline & Your Move
A calmer sale, planned together.
Tap to see more →What I do
We map it out together: your target list date, the date you need to be out, and how showings fit around pets, work schedules, tenants or PCS orders.
Got PCS orders? See your options →
What I ask of you
Your ideal move-out date, and anything that affects showings.
Tap any card to flip it. Tap again to flip back.
Quick Question
Why Are Homeowners Selling Today?
Take a guess. It's anonymous, and nothing you pick is saved.
What do you think is the number one reason homeowners decide to sell their house?
National survey of recent home sellers: primary reason for selling their previous home. Source: NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (2025).
Free Download
Get The Free Seven Things Checklist
A simple two-page checklist you can keep on the fridge: seven things to do before listing your home, with the reason behind each one. Add your name and email below, and your download appears right on the screen.
Trouble with the form? Call or text me at 850-855-6899 and I'll send it over.
What Is Your Home Worth?
Good Questions
Before Selling Your House In Fort Walton Beach, Answered
What should I do before selling my house in Fort Walton Beach?
Start by understanding your price options and your estimated net. Then make a list of the updates you've done, and let your agent handle the big-ticket checks, small repairs and photo prep. I help with most of these steps for my sellers.
Do I need a survey to sell my house?
No. A survey isn't required of sellers, and if you don't have one, that cost can transfer to the buyer. If you do have one, it's wonderful to share.
Do I have to make repairs or stage my house before listing?
You don't have to do it on your own. I handle the small repairs, help you depersonalize, stage the home and get it ready for photos, so you don't have to make your house show-ready. Prefer to sell without making changes? Here's how selling as-is works.
What if I don't have my roof or repair invoices?
That's okay. If you remember the name of the company that did the work, I can look up the details, and I can look up permits too. Invoices are helpful but not required.
Why do permits matter when selling a house?
A buyer's insurance company will want to know about things like additions and roof work. I look up your roof permit and other permits, and request them if you don't have them. Larger work, like an addition or a roof replaced without a permit, may need to be closed out by the company that did it. If you're in the middle of a project, here's how selling with an unfinished renovation works.
How do I know what I'll net from selling my house?
Before you decide to list, I give you as close an estimate as I can. It includes mortgage payoffs, liens or loans, back taxes, tax proration, closing costs, concessions and any roof replacement from proceeds. Then I keep updating it as the sale moves forward. You can also see a real net-proceeds example, and if there's a lien on the home, here's how selling with a lien works.
I've never sold a house before. Where do I start?
Start right here. This guide walks you through the seven things to do before listing, and I help with most of them. I've recently helped quite a few first-time sellers, so no question is too small. You can also see how I help sellers.
Is the seller checklist really free?
Yes, it's completely free, and you're under no obligation to use me as your agent. The checklist is yours to keep as a guide, so you know what questions to ask whichever agent you work with. Add your name and email in the form above, and your download appears right on the screen.
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