As a seller, there are specific required administrative steps involved in selling your property. You must provide certain documents needed to sell a house.
Guillaume Tremblay, real estate broker in Joliette and the Lanaudière region , will help you in your home selling process by showing you which documents are required to sell a house.
Paperwork for selling a house
Here are the documents you need to have ready during the sale of your home:
- Title deed
- Certificate of location
- Declaration of the seller
- Deed of sale
- Promise to purchase (offer to purchase)
- Tax, electricity or gas bills
- Mortgage deed (if applicable)
- Documents relating to the property
Let’s take a look at these in closer detail.
1. Title deed
The title deed is a legal document that proves you are the legal owner of the house. It contains important information including a description of the property, details about the current owner and information about any previous transfers of ownership. This document is essential to demonstrate that you have the right to sell the property.
2. Certificate of location
The certificate of location is mandatory when selling a house. This document describes the property and details its layout, including land, main building and any outbuildings. Basically, it serves as a roadmap for the buyer.
The certificate of location is prepared by a land surveyor and shows the current state of the property, including boundaries, buildings, easements and any instances of nonconformance. This document must be up-to-date, and is often required by financial institutions during the process of applying for financing approval.
3. Declaration of the seller
Another document that is mandatory while selling your home is the declaration of the seller. This is used by the owner to make an inventory of the property at the time of sale.
This document must include everything the potential buyer might need to know about the property’s condition before the sale. You need to be as sincere as possible to avoid any disputes later on.
4. Deed of sale
The deed of sale or bill of sale (Acte de vente) is an official legal document that formalizes the transaction between a seller and a buyer when selling a property. The deed is drawn up by a notary, who verifies that both parties comply with all legal provisions and that the interests of both parties are protected.
The deed of sale must:
- Identify the seller and buyer by their full names and addresses
- Provide a detailed description of the property, including land boundaries as legally defined by coordinates
- Indicate the total amount of the sale and terms of payment
- Attest to the absence of hidden defects and compliance with regulations
- Specify inclusions and exclusions, and the date of possession
- Break down taxes, notary fees and other expenses
- Set out the seller’s and buyer’s commitments, such as handing over the keys.
5. Promise to purchase
The promise to purchase, informally called an offer to purchase, is an essential document for any property sale, and is required by the notary to finalize the deed of your property sale.
A promise to purchase is a formal document in which the buyer solemnly agrees to buy the property. Likewise, the seller must also declare their commitment to selling their property. This document establishes the agreement between the two parties to respect the conditions of the sale.
6. Property tax, electricity and gas bills
Documents that are not required, but strongly recommended, are property tax and electricity bills. Most buyers want to know in advance how much they can expect to pay in taxes and utilities. This can be a key factor when deciding whether to purchase a property.
Make sure that your potential buyers feel comfortable buying your property. This is a key element of preparing a successful sale! Feel free to provide them with anything that could help them to this end. Providing gas or electricity bills will help buyers feel more confident and make it easier for them to picture themselves in your home.
7. Mortgage deed (where applicable)
Mortgage deeds are important legal documents in real estate transactions that involve mortgages. They establish a debt relationship between the borrower (property owner) and the lender (financial institution), using the property as security for repayment. This link makes it possible for the lender to seize the property in the event of default by the borrower, thus offering financial security to the lender.
Before selling a property, it is often necessary to pay off the existing mortgage. The mortgage deed details the amounts owed and the conditions for releasing the mortgage. Potential buyers and mortgage lenders will review mortgage deeds to understand the financial obligations associated with the property. Mortgage deeds support transparency and help buyers to make informed decisions.
A notary will check the mortgage deeds to verify that there are no outstanding debts or charges that could complicate the sale, making the transaction secure for all parties involved.
8. Documents relating to the property, such as an appraisal report
To facilitate the process of selling a property, it’s important to gather together all relevant historical documents. Whether it’s a previous deed of sale, documents detailing work and renovations, energy balances, or an expert’s report, anything that describes the history of the property should be provided.
This will help you justify the value of your property and show the buyer that it’s in good condition and has no hidden defects. Remember, too much is better than too little! 😊
Contact Guillaume Tremblay and his team of real estate agents to sell your property
Selling your property is an important step in your life, and it is no simple task to go through this process by yourself. Knowing what documents are required to sell a house is not easy.
Selling with a qualified realtor is a safe and efficient option. They will assist you as well as provide valuable advice and guidance.
Contact Courtier Immobilier Lanaudière today! Guillaume Tremblay, real estate broker in Lanaudière, and his team will be happy to help you sell your property in the area. We will assist you in gathering all the required documents to sell your home as quickly and efficiently as possible.
