How to Sell Your Home and Move Into a Cooperative in 90 Days

Ninety days sounds fast. It is a big change to sell a home you've lived in for years and move to a new community. But you can do it if you know the steps and have the right help. This guide shows you how.

We are assuming you already found the co-op you want and a unit is ready. If you are still looking at places or on a waiting list, it will take longer. This guide is for when you are ready to make your move.

1. Days 1–14Check Your Finances
2. Days 15–30Get Your Home Ready
3. Days 30–45List Your Home and Apply to the Co-op
4. Days 45–60Pick an Offer and Pick a Date
5. Days 60–75Final Board Steps and Moving Plans
6. Days 75–90Sign the Papers and Move In

1Days 1–14: Check Your Finances

Before you list your home or apply to a co-op, you need to know where you stand.

2Days 15–30: Get Your Home Ready

A clean, ready home sells faster and for more money.

• Declutter your space. You are moving to a smaller place. Give things to family, donate them, or put them in storage. A clear home looks better in photos.
• Fix small things. Look for leaky faucets, stuck doors, or old light bulbs. Buyers notice these small issues.
• Get professional photos. Most buyers look online first. Great photos make people want to visit your home.
• Set the right price. If the price is too high, your home will just sit there. Trust the market facts.

3Days 30–45: List Your Home and Apply to the Co-op

Do these two things at the same time to save time.

List your home. Your agent will put your home on the market and start showings. If the price is right, you should get offers in about two weeks.

Apply to the co-op board. The board approval process usually takes 30 to 60 days. Starting now means you'll be approved around the same time you sell your home.

You will need:

• Tax returns from the last two or three years
• Recent bank statements
• Proof of your income
• Personal references

4Days 45–60: Pick an Offer and Pick a Date

When you get an offer, you can talk about the closing date. You want to close on your old home and your new co-op share as close as possible.

If the board hasn't said "yes" yet, you have choices: 1. Ask for more time. Ask the buyer to wait 60 to 75 days to close. 2. Rent your home back. Sell the home but stay there for a month while you wait for the co-op. 3. Use a bridge loan. This is a short loan that lets you buy the co-op before your home sale is finished.

5Days 60–75: Final Board Steps and Moving Plans

Your home should be under contract now. The co-op board is looking at your papers.

• Answer quickly. If the board asks for more info, send it right away.
• Set the closing date. Once the board says yes, pick a day to sign the papers.
• Hire movers. Good movers get busy fast. Book them now. This is also a good time to plan a garage sale or junk pickup.

6Days 75–90: Sign the Papers and Move In

The last two weeks are for finishing up. You will sign the papers for your home and your new co-op.

Don't forget to:

• Move your utilities (electric, water, etc.)
• Change your address with the post office
• Talk to your insurance agent about your new home

7How We Help You

This 90-day plan has many parts, but we can make it easy. A real estate specialist helps you with the sale, the co-op board, and the timing.

Lisa Dunn has helped many seniors in Minnesota through this move. She knows how to coordinate everything so your move is smooth and not stressful. You'll know exactly what to expect from the start.

Schedule a free consultation to talk about your move, or call 612-599-3484. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Have a house to sell first? I’ll help you time it. See what your house is worth or book a free 30-minute call.