Short answer
Expect to need photo ID, proof you own the house (your deed or title information), a mortgage payoff statement if you have a loan, the Pennsylvania seller property disclosure statement, and any papers for special situations, such as letters from the Register of Wills, a lease, or a rental license. Your title company will tell you the rest.
The basics
Gather these first. Government photo ID. The deed or other proof of ownership, if you have it. The name and loan number of any mortgage or HELOC, so the title company can request a payoff. Recent property tax and utility information. Names of every owner on title, since each owner will need to sign unless someone has legal authority to sign for them.
Do not worry if you cannot find the deed. The title company can pull it from the county records.
The disclosure statement
Pennsylvania's Seller Disclosure Law requires most sellers of one-to-four-unit homes to complete a property disclosure statement. It covers subjects such as the roof, basements and crawl spaces, structural problems, water and sewage, plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, hazardous substances and legal issues affecting title. You must deliver a signed, dated copy before the agreement of sale is signed.
Transfers by a fiduciary in the administration of an estate, guardianship, conservatorship or trust are exempt from the disclosure requirement. Check with your attorney whether the exemption applies to you.
Papers for special situations
If you inherited the house, you will usually need documents showing who has legal authority to sell, such as papers from the county Register of Wills. If the house is rented, bring the lease and any rental license. In Philadelphia, rental licenses are not transferable, and a new owner must apply for a new one. If the house was built before 1978, federal rules call for lead-based paint disclosures, and you keep signed copies for three years.
If you are divorcing, expect the title company to want proof of who is allowed to sign. A court order or settlement agreement may be needed.
A tip for speed
Start the payoff request and the document hunt now. A missing payoff letter or a co-owner who has not been located is a common reason closings slip. If you want to see how quickly this can move, Kaizen Home Buyers makes a cash offer within 24 hours and typically closes in 14 to 30 days, or on your date. Call 267-329-0084.
Whichever buyer you pick, ask the title company for a written list of what they need from you. It is cheaper to find a missing document in week one than on closing day.
What you do not need
You do not need to repair the house, replace appliances or hire a cleaner for a cash sale to a buyer who purchases as-is. You do not need a home inspection report, though you may order one if you want a clear picture of the condition. You do not need an agent.
You still need a clear way to sign, which means every owner or an authorized representative. If you cannot find an owner, or an owner has died, tell the buyer and the title company early, because that is the problem most likely to need time and a lawyer.