How Home Sellers Can Double-Check the Profits Before Closing

By Darren James

Darren James is a highly accomplished real estate professional and the founder of one of Baton Rouge’s premier real estate firms. With over 20 years of experience in selling and marketing real estate.

Are you sure your numbers are right before closing on your home?

Many sellers are caught off guard on closing day because they skipped one simple but important step. They thought everything was fine, but when the final numbers came in, the profit they expected didn’t match the check they received. The good news is, you can avoid this with a quick review before you sign.

Let’s break down the easy way to protect your money and close with confidence.

1. Check your closing disclosure and net sheet early. If you’re selling a home in Baton Rouge, one of the most important things to do before closing is to review two key documents: your closing disclosure and your seller net sheet.

These might sound complicated, but they’re just tools to help you see where your money is going and how much you’ll actually get after the sale.

• Your closing disclosure is a list that shows everything involved in the sale. It includes the sales price, the cost to pay your agent, any help you’re giving the buyer, like paying part of their closing costs, and other small charges. Mistakes can happen, so you need to look over it carefully.

• The seller net sheet is a simple worksheet your agent can create that shows what you will earn from the sale after all the fees are paid. It helps you figure out your “take-home” money. The best time to get this is when you receive an offer on your home. And if the offer changes, your agent should update the numbers so you know exactly what to expect.

2. Know your numbers ahead of time. Sellers who skip this step sometimes believe they’ll make more money than they really will. For example, you might think you’ll walk away with $50,000, but after all the costs, it’s actually closer to $10,000. That’s a big shock to get on closing day. The smartest sellers know their numbers ahead of time.

So before you accept an offer or head to the closing table, ask your agent to explain both the net sheet and the closing disclosure. Double-check the numbers and make sure everything matches up. It only takes a few minutes, but it can save you from losing money or feeling frustrated later.

Let’s make sure your numbers add up. If you’re planning to sell your home and want to make sure you’re fully prepared for closing, I’d be happy to help. Call or text me directly at (225) 335-7666 or email me at darren@agent225.com.

I’ll walk you through your net proceeds, explain your documents clearly, and help you avoid last-minute surprises so you can close with peace of mind and walk away with the profit you deserve.