Pre-listing seller questionnaire

Before we list

These are the questions buyers and their agents ask over and over once the home hits the market. Not the disclosure forms — those come separately. This is the stuff only you know, and having it up front is what keeps a deal from stalling later.

Your answers save on this device as you type, so you can fill this out over a few sittings. Nothing is sent until you tap Send at the bottom.

Property address

Completed by (needed to send)

Your Move

Timing drives everything else — price, marketing, and which offers actually work for you.

Why are you selling, and where are you headed next?

Even a rough answer helps me position the home.

Ideal closing date — and how firm is it?

Do you need to stay in the home after closing? For how long?

A rent-back is normal. Better to ask for it up front than mid-escrow.

What Stays, What Goes

Nearly every renegotiation I've seen started with someone assuming the refrigerator was included.

What's staying with the house?

Refrigerator, washer/dryer, TV mounts, patio furniture, playset, EV charger, window coverings, shed.

What are you taking that a buyer might assume stays?

Chandelier, mirrors, built-in shelving, a specific appliance, potted plants.

Any warranties that transfer to the buyer?

Roof, HVAC, termite, appliances, solar, windows.

Systems and Ages

The first questions out of a buyer's inspector — and the ones that turn into repair requests when nobody has an answer.

Roof — how old, any repairs, and who did the work?

Heating and air — type, age, last serviced?

Central, mini-split, wall unit, evaporative.

Water heater — age, tank or tankless, gas or electric?

Electrical panel — amps, brand, ever upgraded?

If you know the brand, write it. Some panels matter to insurers.

Plumbing — copper, PEX, or galvanized? Any repipe?

Windows — original or replaced? Dual pane?

Solar — owned, leased, or a power purchase agreement?

If it isn't owned: monthly payment, years left, and whether it transfers.

Sewer or septic — and when was it last scoped or pumped?

What You've Done to It

Improvements are marketing. Permits are negotiating power. Old repairs are only a problem when a buyer discovers them on their own.

What have you remodeled or upgraded, and roughly when?

Kitchen, baths, flooring, paint, windows, landscaping, hardscape.

Was the work permitted? Do you have permits, plans, or receipts?

Any additions, garage conversions, ADUs, or enclosed patios?

Past repairs worth knowing about, even if fully fixed?

Slab leak, roof leak, sewer line, foundation, mold remediation.

What It Costs to Own

Buyers ask this before they write, and a vague answer reads as a red flag even when nothing is wrong.

Average monthly utilities — summer versus winter?

Electric, gas, water, trash.

Property taxes, plus any Mello-Roos or special assessments?

Insurance — carrier and rough annual premium?

Also note any past claims or a non-renewal, which buyers will find anyway.

Ongoing service contracts and what they run?

Pest, pool, landscaping, alarm, solar monitoring.

The Property Itself

Details that either sell the house or come up at the inspection. Better they come from you.

Parking — garage spaces, driveway, RV access, EV charger?

Pool or spa — age, equipment, heater, monthly service cost?

Leave blank if there's neither.

Yard — irrigation, drainage, mature trees, anything special?

What It's Like to Live Here

I can't answer these and neither can the listing. Buyers ask them at the open house, and good answers sell the neighborhood.

Which schools does this address actually attend?

The assignment, not what the search sites guess.

The street — noise, traffic, parking, street sweeping, trash day?

What do you love most about living here?

Write more than one line. This one usually ends up in the marketing.

Your go-to spots nearby, and typical commute times?

Coffee, groceries, parks, the drive to work.

Internet providers and cell service?

Who you use, and whether service is good throughout the house.

HOA or Condo

HOA name and contact, monthly dues, and what the dues include?

Any special assessment now, or one being discussed?

Rental restrictions, a rental cap, or pet restrictions?

Parking, storage, guest rules, amenities and hours?

Showing the Home

Best days and times for showings?

Pets, alarm codes, tenants, or anything a buyer's agent should know?

Send it back

Done, or done enough? Send it over and we’ll take it from here. Blank answers are fine — they tell us what to go find out.

Your email (needed to send)

So your answers land in our system with your name on them.