Be Prepared to Sell: Why Having the Right Documents Matters More Than Ever
At Boston Connect Real Estate, we believe that every move should be a moving experience and that starts long before a “For Sale” sign ever goes in the yard. On a recent episode of Talk Real Estate Roundtable, we had an important conversation about seller preparedness and why having the right documents, authority, and information in place before listing your home can make or break a transaction.
Real estate transactions are complex enough on their own. When documentation, authority to sell, or legal clarity is missing, delays, contract extensions, and even failed closings become very real risks.
Here’s what every homeowner and future seller should understand.
Preparation Is Protection
Being “ready to sell” is more than staging, pricing, and marketing. It means having the legal, financial, and logistical foundations in place so a transaction can move smoothly from listing to closing.
When sellers are unprepared, the consequences can include:
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Delayed closings
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Failed transactions
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Contract extensions
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Buyer frustration
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Legal complications
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Lost opportunities
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Financial setbacks
Preparedness protects you, your buyer, and the entire transaction.
Estate Sales, Probate & Authority to Sell
One of the most common and most disruptive issues we see is when a property is being sold after the death of a spouse or family member.
Key questions that must be answered:
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How is the property deeded?
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Is there a surviving spouse listed on the deed?
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Is there a will?
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Is probate required?
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Has a personal representative (executor) been legally appointed?
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Has a License to Sell been issued by the court?
Without proper legal authority, a property cannot legally close, even if a buyer is ready, financed, and under contract. Probate delays alone can take months sometimes longer and can derail entire chains of transactions.
Power of Attorney Is Not Enough
Many families assume a Power of Attorney solves everything but this is a dangerous misunderstanding.
Important truths:
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A Power of Attorney ends upon death
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It does not replace probate
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It does not grant authority to sell after death
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It may not include real estate authority unless specifically written
Every estate situation requires legal review and proper documentation not assumptions.
Why This Matters: The Domino Effect
One delayed transaction doesn’t just affect one seller.
It can impact:
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Buyers waiting to move
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Sellers purchasing another home
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Financing timelines
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Moving schedules
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School enrollment
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Life planning
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Investments
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Exchanges (1031 transactions)
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Entire transaction chains
Real estate is interconnected one missing document can stall multiple families.
Easements, Rights of Way & Property Access
Sellers must understand what legally exists on their property before listing.
Examples include:
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Utility easements
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Drainage easements
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Access easements
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Right-of-way agreements
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Shared driveways
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Emergency access easements
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Municipal access rights
These impact:
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Privacy
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Property use
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Expansion potential
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Financing
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Insurance
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Buyer perception
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Property value
Transparency is not optional it’s protection.
Roads, Access & Maintenance Responsibility
Every property has a legal access classification:
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Public road
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Private road
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Unaccepted road
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HOA-maintained road
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Shared access road
Buyers, lenders, and insurance carriers care about:
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Who plows
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Who maintains
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Who insures
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Who repairs
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Who holds liability
These details must be clarified before listing, not during escrow.
Vacant Properties Require Special Planning
Vacant homes introduce additional risk:
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Insurance requirements change
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Policies become more expensive
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Liability exposure increases
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Freeze risks rise
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Maintenance becomes critical
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Security becomes a concern
A vacant listing without proper insurance and systems protection can create massive liability for sellers.
Seller Preparedness Is Professionalism
At Boston Connect Real Estate, we don’t believe in rushing listings just to “get inventory live.” We believe in doing it right:
Legal clarity
Insurance protection
Document verification
Authority confirmation
Property condition checks
Disclosure accuracy
Risk mitigation
Professional execution
Because professionalism protects clients.
Our Seller Preparation Checklist
We’ve developed a Seller Preparation Checklist that helps homeowners organize critical information before listing, including:
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Deeds & ownership documents
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Wills & estate documents
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Trust information
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Power of Attorney
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Insurance policies
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Utility information
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Property improvements
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Easements
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Road status
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HOA documents
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Vacant property planning
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Maintenance records
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Legal authority documentation
Request your copy:
Email: [email protected]
We’ll send you the full checklist to help you prepare whether you’re selling now or planning for the future.
Final Thought
Real estate is not just about buying and selling property it’s about protecting people during some of the most important transitions of their lives.
Preparation is not paperwork.
Preparation is protection.
Preparation is peace of mind.
Preparation is professionalism.
At Boston Connect Real Estate, we don’t just list homes we guide people through life transitions with clarity, structure, and care.
If you’re thinking about selling, planning for the future, or simply want to understand what “being prepared” truly means we’re here to help.
Boston Connect Real Estate
[email protected]
781-826-8000
BostonConnect.com
