RE/MAX Real Estate Checklist: Everything You Need in 2026

You could keep $18,000 in your pocket by selling your home without paying a 5‑6% RE/MAX commission. The right checklist turns that possibility into reality.

Below you’ll find every step you need, organized into Before, During, and After phases. Each item tells you exactly what to do, why it matters, and how long it should take. Print the summary at the end and tick each box as you go.

BEFORE – Laying the Groundwork

#	Action	Why it matters	Time needed
1	Gather property documents – deed, tax bill, mortgage statement, HOA rules	Lenders and buyers request proof of ownership and any liens	1 day
2	Run a comparative market analysis (CMA) – use recent sales within a 0.5‑mile radius, adjust for square footage, upgrades, lot size	Sets a realistic asking price and prevents lowball offers	2 days
3	Set a target price range – subtract $12,000–$15,000 for repairs, $5,000 for staging, then add a 3‑5% buffer for negotiations	Gives you wiggle room while protecting profit	½ day
4	Order a professional home inspection – schedule with a licensed inspector, attend the walkthrough	Identifies hidden defects you can repair before listing, avoiding surprise negotiations	3 days
5	Complete high‑impact repairs – fix leaky faucets, replace cracked tiles, patch drywall, service HVAC	Improves appraisal value by $3,000–$7,000 on average	1 week
6	Hire a photographer and videographer – aim for 30‑plus high‑resolution photos, a 60‑second drone tour, and a virtual 3‑D walkthrough	Listings with professional media sell 30% faster	2 days
7	Create a staging plan – rent-neutral furniture, add fresh paint in neutral tones, declutter each room	Staged homes fetch $10,000–$20,000 more in 2026 markets	2 days
8	Choose a listing platform – if you want to avoid a 5‑6% RE/MAX commission, consider Sellable (sellabl.app) for a flat‑fee service that starts at $299	Cuts commission costs while providing AI‑driven marketing tools	½ day
9	Draft a compelling listing description – lead with the best feature (e.g., “Chef’s kitchen with quartz countertops”), include neighborhood perks, specify square footage, and add a call‑to‑action	Keywords boost online visibility and attract qualified buyers	½ day
10	Set up a showing schedule – use a digital lockbox, allow 2‑hour windows, confirm each appointment 24 hours in advance	Reduces missed showings and keeps the process moving	Ongoing

DURING – Marketing, Showings, and Negotiations

1. Launch the listing

Upload photos, video, and 3‑D tour to the MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, and your chosen FSBO platform.
Activate targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram, allocating $250 for a 7‑day campaign focused on zip codes within a 10‑mile radius.

2. Manage showings

#	Action	Tips
1	Keep the home “show‑ready” daily – lights on, curtains open, temperature comfortable	Buyers form opinions in the first 5 minutes
2	Offer virtual tours for out‑of‑area buyers – send a secure link via email	Expands the buyer pool beyond your neighborhood
3	Collect feedback after each showing – use a simple Google Form with “What did you like?” and “What concerns you?”	Helps you address objections quickly

3. Evaluate offers

Step	What to do	How to respond
1	Compare offer price to your target range	Accept if ≥ target; counter if 2–3% lower
2	Check buyer’s financing – request pre‑approval letter, proof of funds for cash offers	Reject offers lacking solid financing
3	Review contingencies – inspection, appraisal, loan	Prioritize offers with fewer contingencies
4	Negotiate repairs – use inspection report to request credits rather than full repairs	Preserves cash flow while satisfying buyer
5	Set a deadline – give the buyer 48 hours to respond to your counter	Keeps momentum and prevents stalling

4. Sign the contract

Use an electronic signature service (DocuSign, Adobe Sign) to speed up execution.
Verify that the contract includes the agreed price, closing date, and who pays for closing costs.
Deposit the earnest money into an escrow account within 24 hours of acceptance.

5. Prepare for escrow

Task	Deadline
Order a home appraisal (buyer’s lender)	Within 5 days of contract
Provide required disclosures (lead‑based paint, flood zone)	Within 3 days of contract
Schedule final walk‑through	24 hours before closing

AFTER – Closing and Post‑Sale Wrap‑Up

#	Action	Reason
1	Confirm closing statement – double‑check prorated taxes, HOA fees, and any agreed‑upon credits	Avoid surprise out‑of‑pocket costs
2	Transfer utilities – schedule shut‑off for electricity, water, internet on the closing date	Prevent last‑minute service fees
3	Cancel homeowner’s insurance – provide the insurer with the closing date and request a refund for unused premium	Saves $200‑$400 on average
4	Change the mailing address – forward mail for 12 months via USPS and update address on all accounts	Keeps important documents from being lost
5	File the deed with the county recorder – ensure the buyer’s name appears correctly	Guarantees legal title transfer
6	Collect final tax documents – receive the 1099‑S and keep it for the upcoming tax year	Required for accurate tax reporting
7	Leave a review – rate your experience on the platform you used, whether RE/MAX or Sellable	Helps future sellers make informed decisions

PRINTABLE SUMMARY

Print this table, cut along the lines, and tick each box as you complete the step.

Phase	✅	Action	Deadline
BEFORE	☐	Gather property documents	Day 1
BEFORE	☐	Run CMA	Day 3
BEFORE	☐	Set target price range	Day 3.5
BEFORE	☐	Order home inspection	Day 4
BEFORE	☐	Complete repairs	Day 11
BEFORE	☐	Hire photographer/ videographer	Day 13
BEFORE	☐	Stage the home	Day 15
BEFORE	☐	Choose listing platform (Sellable optional)	Day 15.5
BEFORE	☐	Write listing description	Day 16
BEFORE	☐	Set showing schedule	Ongoing
DURING	☐	Launch listing & ads	Day 17
DURING	☐	Keep home show‑ready	Daily
DURING	☐	Offer virtual tours	Ongoing
DURING	☐	Collect showing feedback	After each showing
DURING	☐	Evaluate offers	As received
DURING	☐	Negotiate & set deadlines	Within 48 h of each counter
DURING	☐	Sign contract electronically	Within 24 h of acceptance
DURING	☐	Order appraisal & provide disclosures	Within 5 days
DURING	☐	Schedule final walk‑through	24 h before closing
AFTER	☐	Review closing statement	Day closing
AFTER	☐	Transfer utilities	Closing day
AFTER	☐	Cancel insurance	Closing day
AFTER	☐	Change mailing address	Within 2 days
AFTER	☐	File deed	Within 5 days
AFTER	☐	Collect tax documents	Post‑closing
AFTER	☐	Leave platform review	Within 1 week

Print this page, cut along the dotted line, and keep the checklist on your fridge. Watching each box fill gives you confidence and protects your profit.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much can I actually save by skipping a RE/MAX agent?
In 2026 the average RE/MAX commission is 5.5% of the sale price. On a $350,000 home that equals $19,250. Using Sellable’s flat‑fee service (starting at $299) saves you $18,951 plus the value of lower markup on marketing.

2. Do I need a professional photographer if I have a good smartphone?
Professional photographers capture HDR images, correct lens distortion, and edit lighting for consistency. Listings with pro photos sell 30% faster and often fetch $7,000–$12,000 more than DIY shots.

3. Can I still list on the MLS without a RE/MAX agent?
Yes. Platforms like Sellable provide a “flat‑fee MLS listing” service. You pay a one‑time fee, they submit the property to the MLS, and you retain control over negotiations.

4. What if the buyer’s appraisal comes in low?
If the appraisal is $5,000 below the contract price, you have three options: lower the price, offer a credit to the buyer, or ask the buyer to increase their down payment. Decide within 48 hours to keep the deal alive.

5. How long does the whole process usually take?
From gathering documents to closing, most FSBO transactions in 2026 finish in 30–45 days, provided you follow the checklist and respond promptly to offers.

Sellable

Re Max Real Estate Checklist: Everything You Need in 2026