If you’re thinking about selling your house, one of the questions that comes up pretty quickly is:
What paperwork do I actually need? Where is the deed? Where is my mortgage payoff?
Most people assume it’s a long, complicated list.
In reality, it’s not as bad as you think.
In some cases, you don’t need anything but your ID when you show up to the closing. Sometimes you will need to produce documents to the closing attorney. Others depend on your situation. And if you’re working with the right people, a lot of it can be handled for you.
I’ve been buying houses in the New Orleans metro area for over 20 years, and this is something we walk sellers through all the time.
Let’s break it down.
The Most Important Document: Proof of Ownership
This is the big one.
To sell a house, you need to prove that you actually own it.
That usually means:
• The deed to the property
• Or records showing you as the legal owner
In most cases, the title company will pull this information for you, so you don’t need to go digging through old paperwork. So much stuff is handled electronically these days. When the title attorney researches the title and the chain of title they can usually figure out who the proper owners are.
But if there are multiple owners listed, everyone may need to be involved in the sale.
Mortgage Information (If You Have One)
If there’s still a loan on the property, you’ll need basic mortgage details.
That includes:
• The lender’s name
• Loan account number
• Approximate payoff amount
Prior to the closing, the title company will contact your lender and get an official payoff to make sure everything is handled correctly.
You don’t need to have exact payoff numbers upfront — just enough information to get the process started.
This is more common in traditional sales where buyers or lenders are doing deeper due diligence.
Permits or Repair Records (If Available)
If you’ve done major work on the house, you might have:
• Permits
• Contractor invoices
• Repair records
These aren’t always required, but they can help answer buyer questions.
If you don’t have them, it’s usually not a deal breaker — especially in an as-is sale.
What About Title Issues?
This is where things can get a little more complicated — but still manageable.
We see situations like:
• Inherited properties
• Multiple heirs
• Open successions
• Old liens
The good news?
You don’t have to solve all of this on your own.
A good title company (and a buyer who knows what they’re doing) can help work through these issues and get everything cleared up before closing.
If there is a mortgage, the mortgage can be paid off with sale proceeds. You don’t need to pay it off out of pocket. Same goes with back property taxes, or any lien on the property for that matter. We can work it out! Even if you owe more than the sale price, we have extensive negotiation experience with lienholders and can often work a deal with them to reduce the lien in order to get the sale completed. Most times they would rather get something than nothing!
The Truth: You Probably Need Less Than You Think
This is where a lot of people get stuck.
They think:
“I don’t have all the paperwork, so I can’t sell yet.”
That’s usually not true.
In most cases:
• The title company pulls the important records
• The buyer helps guide the process
• Missing documents can be worked around
The key is just getting the conversation started.
How This Changes With a Cash Sale
When you sell to a traditional buyer using financing, there can be more documentation involved.
Lenders may require:
• Additional inspections
• More detailed records like property disclosure forms
• Extra verification
With a cash sale, things are usually simpler.
No lender involved means:
• Fewer document requirements
• Less back-and-forth
• Faster closing timeline
That’s one of the reasons many people choose this route.
Final Thoughts
Selling a house doesn’t require a mountain of paperwork.
The essentials are:
• Proof of ownership
• Basic mortgage information
• Identification
Everything else depends on the property and the situation.
If you’re missing something, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck.
Most of it can be figured out along the way.
If you want to talk through your situation and see what you actually need, we’re always happy to help. Shoot us a call or text at 504 264 1407 or head to the website and fill out a simple form. Plus we have tons of great info on the site. Check it out! www.nolabuyshouses.com