The Essential Paperwork Checklist for Selling Your New York Home FSBO

A complete guide to documents, disclosures, and required forms for New York homeowners selling without a Realtor.

1. Before You List: Documents to Gather Early

To streamline your New York FSBO sale, gather these documents before listing.

• Property Deed — Proof of ownership to be transferred at closing.
  What is a deed?
• Property Survey — Required in many counties and often essential for title clearance.
• HOA / Condo / Co-op Documents — Including bylaws, financials, house rules, resale package, or co-op board requirements.
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure — Mandatory for homes built before 1978.
  Lead-based paint disclosure explained
• Comparable Sales (“Comps”) — Essential for pricing your New York property.
  What are comps in real estate?
• New to FSBO? What is FSBO in real estate?

2. New York–Required Disclosures & Attorney Requirements

• Attorney Representation (Mandatory) — Both buyer and seller must use attorneys for contract preparation and closing.
• PCDA – Property Condition Disclosure Act Form — Required by NY law unless the seller gives the buyer a $500 credit.
  (Most sellers choose the $500 credit.)
  Seller disclosures explained
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure — Federal requirement (pre-1978).
• Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Compliance
• Septic / Well Water Tests — Required in many upstate counties.
• NYC-Specific Disclosures — For NYC properties, additional requirements may include window guard notices, bedbug history, and HPD disclosures.
• Co-op Board Documents — Minutes, financials, purchase application, and board package (if applicable).
• TP-584 – NY State Transfer Tax Form — Required for all sales.
• RP-5217 – Real Property Transfer Report — Required in nearly all counties.
• Mansion Tax — Applies to properties $1M+ (NYC has additional higher-tier taxes).

3. MLS Listing Requirements for New York FSBO Sellers

• MLS Data Input Form — Photos, remarks, features, showing setup.
• Listing Agreement — Required by New York MLS associations.
• Mandatory Disclosures — Must accompany the MLS listing packet.

Learn how MLS listing works in New York:
How to list on the MLS in New York with a flat fee MLS listing service

Compare MLS listing services:
Best flat fee MLS listing services in New York

View statewide MLS coverage:
New York statewide flat fee MLS listing service coverage map

4. Documents Required When You Receive Offers

• Attorney-Drafted Purchase Contract — In NY, attorneys draft and modify the contract, not agents.
• Proof of Funds — Required for cash offers.
• Mortgage Pre-Approval Letter
  Mortgage pre-approval explained
• Contract Addenda — Inspection, financing, appraisal contingencies, condo/co-op riders.

5. Documents Required While Under Contract

• Home Inspection Report
• Repair Requests / Amendments
• Bank Appraisal Report — Required for financed purchases.
• Title Search & Title Abstract — New York uses a detailed abstract, often updated from prior transactions.
• Survey Updates — Often required by title companies.
• Mortgage Payoff Statement
  What is a mortgage payoff?

6. Title, Attorney & Closing Documents in New York

• Closing Disclosure / Settlement Statement
  What is a HUD settlement statement?
• Attorney Closing Documents — Attorney prepares deed, affidavits, tax forms, and transfer documents.
• Owner’s Title Insurance Policy
  What is an owner's policy?
• Lender’s Title Insurance Policy
  What is a title insurance policy?
• New York State Transfer Tax Forms: TP-584 & RP-5217
• Mansion Tax Forms — Required for properties $1M+ (NYC has additional tiers).
• Deed (Prepared by attorney)
• Bill of Sale — For personal property included in the transaction.

7. Complete New York FSBO Paperwork Checklist