Michigan process · seller view

The Michigan Home-Selling Process: Your Step-by-Step Checklist

This checklist walks Michigan home sellers through every stage of a residential sale, from picking a listing agent to handing over the keys.

Reading as seller. Switch to buyer

Phase 1 of 7 · typically 2-6 weeks

Pre-Offer

Prep work before your home hits the market: hiring an agent, pricing, paperwork, and the disclosures Michigan requires up front.

  1. Pick a listing agent and sign a written representation agreement

    Your agentBefore your home is listed

    Interview 2-3 Michigan-licensed listing agents and pick one. You will sign a written listing agreement that spells out the term, the price strategy, and how the agent gets paid. Michigan law requires the agent to give you a written Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships before you share confidential details like your bottom-line price or moving deadline.

    You'll need

    • Photo ID
    • Property tax bill
    • Mortgage account info

    Cost: $0

  2. Fill out the Michigan Seller's Disclosure Statement

    YouBefore the buyer signs an offer

    Michigan law requires you to give the buyer a written Seller's Disclosure Statement listing known defects and the condition of major systems like the roof, plumbing, well, septic, and electrical. You must deliver it before the buyer signs the purchase agreement. If you deliver it late, the buyer can cancel the contract and walk away from the deal.

    You'll need

    • Past repair receipts
    • Permits for additions or major work
    • Well and septic records (if applicable)

    Cost: $0

  3. Price the home and prep it for showings

    You2-4 weeks before going live

    Your agent will pull recent nearby sales to suggest a list price. Plan to declutter, deep clean, fix small issues, and take professional photos before the home is posted to the MLS. A polished listing usually sells faster and for more money than a rushed one.

    Cost: $500-3,000 typical

  4. Decide how you will handle buyer-agent compensation

    Your agentBefore the listing goes live

    After the NAR settlement that took effect August 17, 2024, offers of buyer-broker pay can no longer be posted in MLS fields. You can still offer to pay the buyer's agent, just not through the MLS. Talk with your listing agent about whether you will offer concessions, pay the buyer's agent directly, or stay silent and let buyers ask.

    Cost: varies

  5. Request your mortgage payoff and any HOA or condo documents

    You2-3 weeks before listing

    Call your lender for a written mortgage payoff figure so you know roughly what you will owe at closing. If your home is in a condominium or homeowners association, request the master deed, bylaws, rules, and recent financial statements early. Michigan condo law requires you to give these documents to the buyer before the purchase agreement is binding.

    You'll need

    • Mortgage payoff statement
    • HOA or condo bylaws
    • Recent association financial statements

    Cost: $0-250 typical

Phase 2 of 7 · typically 1-3 weeks

Offer

Buyers submit offers, you compare them, negotiate, and sign a purchase agreement.

  1. Review every offer with your agent

    Your agentAs offers come in

    Look past the headline price. Compare loan type, down payment size, financing and inspection contingencies, closing date, and any seller-paid concessions or buyer-agent pay requests. A slightly lower offer with strong financing and few contingencies often closes more reliably than a high offer with weak terms.

    You'll need

    • Offer documents from each buyer
    • Buyer pre-approval letters

    Cost: $0

  2. Verify the buyer's pre-approval or proof of funds

    Your agentBefore signing the offer

    Before you accept, ask your agent to confirm the buyer's pre-approval letter is from a real lender and current within the last 30 days. For cash offers, ask for a recent bank or brokerage statement showing the funds. Weak financing is the most common reason a deal falls apart later.

    You'll need

    • Buyer pre-approval letter or proof of funds

    Cost: $0

  3. Negotiate price, contingencies, and closing date

    Your agentDays 1-7 after an offer arrives

    You can accept, reject, or counter any offer. Common counter points are price, repair credits, closing date, possession date, and which appliances stay. Your agent will draft counters on Michigan Realtors counter-offer forms so the changes are clear and signed by both sides.

    Cost: $0

  4. Sign the Michigan Realtors Residential Purchase Agreement

    Your agentOnce an offer is accepted

    Most Michigan residential deals use the Michigan Realtors Residential Purchase Agreement (often called the MRPA). It locks in price, deposit, contingency deadlines, and the closing date. Once both sides sign and the buyer delivers earnest money, you are officially under contract.

    You'll need

    • Signed purchase agreement
    • Counter-offers (if any)

    Cost: $0

Phase 3 of 7 · typically 1-2 weeks

Under Contract

The clock starts: deposits land in escrow, disclosures go out, and contingency deadlines kick in.

  1. Confirm the earnest money is deposited in a broker trust account

    Your agentWithin 3 banking days of acceptance

    Earnest money is the buyer's good-faith deposit. In Michigan, the broker holding the funds must deposit them into a separate escrow or trust account, not their operating account, within about three banking days of receipt. Ask your agent for written confirmation that the deposit cleared.

    You'll need

    • Earnest money receipt or trust account confirmation

    Cost: $0

  2. Deliver condo documents to the buyer (if your home is a condo)

    YouAs soon as possible after acceptance

    If you are selling a condominium unit, Michigan law requires you to give the buyer the master deed, bylaws, association rules, and the most recent association financial statements before the purchase agreement is binding. If you skip this step, the buyer can cancel the contract.

    You'll need

    • Master deed and amendments
    • Condo bylaws
    • Association rules
    • Recent association financials

    Cost: $0-250 typical

  3. Sign the federal lead-based paint disclosure if your home was built before 1978

    YouRight after going under contract

    Federal law applies to almost every Michigan home built before January 1, 1978. You must disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards, give the buyer the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home,' and allow a 10-day window for lead testing unless the buyer waives it in writing.

    You'll need

    • Signed lead-based paint disclosure
    • EPA lead pamphlet receipt

    Cost: $0

  4. Track inspection, financing, and appraisal deadlines

    Your agentThroughout the contract period

    Your purchase agreement lists specific days for the buyer's inspection, financing approval, and appraisal. If the buyer misses a deadline without an extension in writing, certain contingencies can fall away and lock in the deal. Have your agent send you a written timeline so you know what is due when.

    You'll need

    • Signed purchase agreement timeline

    Cost: $0

Phase 4 of 7 · typically 1-2 weeks

Inspection

The buyer hires inspectors. You respond to their findings and negotiate any repair requests.

  1. Give the buyer access for inspections

    YouWithin the inspection window in your contract

    The buyer will usually schedule a general home inspection and may add radon, sewer, mold, or pest inspections. Plan to leave the home for 2-4 hours so the inspector and buyer can move freely. Keep utilities on so every system can be tested.

    Cost: $0

  2. Review the buyer's inspection response

    Your agentWithin the inspection response window

    After the inspection, the buyer will either accept the home as-is, ask you to fix items, ask for a price reduction or credit, or cancel the deal. Read the inspection report and repair request side by side with your agent so you understand exactly what the buyer is asking for.

    You'll need

    • Buyer's inspection report
    • Buyer's repair or credit request

    Cost: $0

  3. Negotiate repairs, credits, or price adjustments

    Your agentWithin the inspection response window

    You can agree to make repairs, give the buyer a credit at closing, lower the price, or refuse. A closing-cost credit is usually simpler than doing the repair yourself because the buyer takes on the work after closing. Get every change in writing on an amendment signed by both sides.

    You'll need

    • Signed amendment to the purchase agreement

    Cost: varies

  4. Disclose any radon or environmental test results you receive

    YouAs soon as you receive results

    Michigan's Seller's Disclosure Statement requires you to disclose any known hazardous materials on the property, including radon. If a test comes back at or above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter, you should disclose that result going forward. Hiding a known elevated test can create legal exposure after closing.

    You'll need

    • Radon or environmental test reports

    Cost: $0

Phase 5 of 7 · typically 2-4 weeks

Loan & Appraisal

The buyer's lender orders an appraisal and finalizes the loan. Your job is to cooperate and keep the deal on track.

  1. Cooperate with the buyer's appraisal

    Your agent1-3 weeks after going under contract

    The buyer's lender will send a licensed appraiser to value the home. Make sure the home is clean and accessible, and give your agent a short list of recent improvements with rough costs so the appraiser sees the upgrades you made. The appraisal usually takes less than an hour on site.

    You'll need

    • List of recent upgrades with approximate costs

    Cost: $0

  2. Decide how to handle a low appraisal

    Your agentWithin a few days of receiving the appraisal

    If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, you have a few options: keep the price and let the buyer bring extra cash, lower the price to the appraised value, meet in the middle, or challenge the appraisal with comparable sales your agent provides. Each path has trade-offs your agent can walk you through.

    You'll need

    • Appraisal report
    • Comparable sales pulled by your agent

    Cost: varies

  3. Stay on top of the buyer's loan conditions

    Your agentWeekly until clear-to-close

    The lender will issue 'conditions' the buyer has to meet before final loan approval. These can include extra documents, employment checks, and a clean final credit report. Have your agent check in weekly with the buyer's lender so you find out about hold-ups early instead of the day before closing.

    Cost: $0

Phase 6 of 7 · typically 1-2 weeks

Pre-Closing

Final paperwork, taxes, and logistics line up in the last week or two before closing.

  1. Rescind your Principal Residence Exemption if it was your primary home

    YouWithin 90 days of moving out

    If the home you are selling is your primary residence and qualified for Michigan's Principal Residence Exemption, you must file a Request to Rescind with your local assessor within 90 days of leaving the home. This removes the school tax exemption so the new owner can apply it to their own primary residence. Skipping this can cause back-tax issues for you.

    You'll need

    • Request to Rescind Principal Residence Exemption form (Form 2602)

    Cost: $0

  2. Estimate the Michigan transfer tax you will owe

    Escrow / titleAbout 1 week before closing

    Michigan charges a state real estate transfer tax of $3.75 per $500 of sale price and a county transfer tax of $0.55 to $0.75 per $500 depending on the county. On a $300,000 sale, the state tax alone is $2,250. Transfer taxes are usually paid by the seller out of closing proceeds, but they can be negotiated in the purchase agreement.

    Cost: $4-5 per $1,000 of sale price typical

  3. Confirm your FIRPTA withholding status if you are not a U.S. citizen or resident

    Escrow / titleAt least 2 weeks before closing

    If you are a foreign person under federal tax rules, the buyer is required to withhold 15% of the gross sale price (10% for some transactions $300,001 to $1 million, and possibly 0% on personal-use sales of $300,000 or less). U.S. citizens and resident aliens are not subject to this withholding. If FIRPTA applies, work with a tax pro and the title company early so the closing is not delayed.

    You'll need

    • Tax identification (SSN or ITIN)
    • FIRPTA certification or withholding documents (if applicable)

    Cost: varies

  4. Review your closing figures from the title company

    Escrow / title1-3 days before closing

    The title company will send you a seller closing statement showing your sale price, payoff, transfer taxes, prorated property taxes, commissions, and your net proceeds. Read it line by line and ask your agent about anything that does not match the contract. Catching a math error here is much easier than catching it at the signing table.

    You'll need

    • Seller closing statement
    • Government-issued photo ID

    Cost: $0

  5. Schedule movers and end-date your utilities

    You1-3 weeks before closing

    Book movers at least 2-3 weeks out, especially in summer when Michigan moving demand spikes. Call electric, gas, water, internet, and trash to schedule the disconnect or transfer for the day after closing. Forward your mail with the U.S. Postal Service so nothing important gets lost.

    You'll need

    • Account numbers for each utility

    Cost: $500-3,000 typical for movers

Phase 7 of 7 · typically 1 day

Closing

You sign the deed, transfer ownership, and receive your sale proceeds.

  1. Prep the home for the buyer's final walkthrough

    You1-2 days before closing

    The buyer usually does a final walkthrough 1-2 days before closing to confirm the home is in the agreed condition and any promised repairs are done. Leave the home clean, keep utilities on through closing, and gather receipts for any repairs you completed so you can hand them over.

    You'll need

    • Receipts for completed repairs

    Cost: $0

  2. Sign the deed and closing documents at the title company

    Escrow / titleOn the closing date

    Most Michigan closings happen at a title company, not a lawyer's office. A title company representative will walk you through the deed, the closing statement, and any affidavits. Bring a government-issued photo ID and your wiring instructions if you want your proceeds wired instead of cut as a check.

    You'll need

    • Government-issued photo ID
    • Wire instructions for your bank account
    • House keys, garage remotes, and mailbox keys

    Cost: $0

  3. Receive your net sale proceeds

    Escrow / titleClosing day or the next business day

    Once the deed is signed and the buyer's funds and loan money arrive, the title company will release your proceeds. Wire transfers usually hit your bank the same day or the next business day. Confirm wire instructions by phone with the title company, never by email, because real estate wire fraud is common.

    Cost: $0-50 typical wire fee

  4. Hand over keys, codes, and home info to the buyer

    YouOn the closing date

    At or just after closing, give the title company or your agent all keys, garage remotes, gate fobs, mailbox keys, alarm codes, and any appliance manuals you have. Leaving a short note with trash pickup days, HVAC filter sizes, and the nearest shutoff valves is a small kindness that almost every new homeowner appreciates.

    You'll need

    • All keys and remotes
    • Appliance manuals and warranties
    • Alarm and gate codes

    Cost: $0

Sources

  1. [1] MCL §339.2517 — Disclosure of Agency Relationships
  2. [2] NAR Settlement — Buyer Broker Compensation Practice Changes
  3. [3] NAR Settlement — MLS Policy Changes, August 17, 2024
  4. [4] IRS — FIRPTA Withholding Requirements
  5. [5] MCL §339.2517 — Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships
  6. [6] Michigan DIFS — Title Insurance Regulation
  7. [7] MCL §559.184 — Disclosure to Purchaser of Condominium Unit
  8. [8] Michigan Realtors — Standard Forms Library
  9. [9] MCL §339.2512(1)(c) — Mishandling of Client Funds
  10. [10] LARA Bureau of Professional Licensing — Trust Account Requirements
  11. [11] MCL §559.184 — Michigan Condominium Act Disclosure
  12. [12] HUD Lead Disclosure Rule — 24 CFR Part 35
  13. [13] EPA Lead Disclosure Requirements for Real Estate
  14. [14] MCL §211.7cc — Principal Residence Exemption
  15. [15] Michigan Department of Treasury — Principal Residence Exemption
  16. [16] MCL §565.957 — Seller Disclosure Statement, Section 6
  17. [17] MCL §565.957 — Required Disclosure Statement Form
  18. [18] MCL §565.954 — Buyer's Right to Rescind After Late Disclosure
  19. [19] MCL §207.525 — State Real Estate Transfer Tax
  20. [20] MCL §207.505 — County Real Estate Transfer Tax

Last updated May 15, 2026