The buyer typically places an earnest money deposit into an escrow account as a sign of good faith. Escrow is a neutral third-party account that holds funds until the transaction is completed.

The buyer conducts inspections, appraisals, and any other necessary investigations to ensure the property's condition and value align with their expectations. This is your opportunity to address any concerns before they become deal-breakers.

The buyer's lender evaluates the property's value to determine if the buyer qualifies for a mortgage. An appraisal ensures the property's value matches or exceeds the agreed-upon purchase price. Depending on the contract, meeting these approvals may be contingencies of the sale.

Just before closing, the buyer usually conducts a final walkthrough to ensure the property is in the agreed-upon condition. Any issues discovered here can be negotiated before signing.

The buyer signs the mortgage documents, pays closing costs, receives keys, and takes possession of the property. You receive the proceeds from the sale.

Your net proceeds are what you actually walk away with after the sale closes. The math is straightforward, but the line items add up. Here is how to estimate it.

• Sale price minus the following:
• Agent commission, negotiated as part of your listing agreement. Post-NAR settlement, this varies by transaction.
• Seller closing costs: attorney fees ($500 to $1,000), NC transfer tax ($1 per $500 of sale price), prorated property taxes, and HOA dues if applicable.
• Mortgage payoff: your remaining loan balance plus any accrued interest through closing day.
• Repair credits or seller concessions negotiated during due diligence.

What is left is your estimated net proceeds. We will walk through your specific numbers together before you list, so there are no surprises at closing.