- MLS listing facts require independent confirmation
- Permits, title, insurance and financing are property-specific
- Source links are informational, not endorsements
Review remote signing and safe payment handling
Ask escrow and title professionals how identification, notarization, courier services and remote document signing apply to your specific ownership arrangement. A property held in a trust, estate, partnership or by multiple owners can require special authority and signatures. Do not assume every document can be executed through a simple browser click. For any proceeds or deposits, verify wire instructions through an independently known number for the responsible escrow party, not a new email or text. Request payoff statements, relevant lien information and a written estimate of seller proceeds; note which charges remain uncertain. Discuss with the insurer whether vacant or tenant occupancy affects coverage, and document any updated policy details. None of these steps guarantees closing, but each reduces avoidable misunderstanding when the seller cannot appear in person.
Coordinate negotiations, repairs and possession
Set a written calendar for listing activation, offer review, disclosure delivery, buyer inspections, repair bids, appraiser appointments, final walkthrough and transfer of possession. Ask who will provide dated photographs or contractor documentation if the buyer requests repairs and the owner cannot attend. Have the agent explain communications and response-time expectations in the listing agreement. If an offer includes seller credits or unusual possession terms, obtain a revised net estimate and discuss it with escrow and the agent. Avoid assuming a qualified contractor can finish improvements within an unverified timeframe. Compare current MLS competition in the home's specific San Diego market, but do not use advertised asking prices alone to establish an achieved selling price. A remote sale works best when responsibilities and unresolved questions are visible to everyone involved.