What Paperwork Do You Need to Sell Your Home in Louisiana?

What paperwork do you need to sell a home in Louisiana?

Louisiana sellers need three categories of documents: before-listing paperwork (Property Disclosure Document, survey, system records, flood information), under-contract paperwork (repair receipts, HOA transfer documents, mortgage payoff statement), and closing-day paperwork (government-issued photo ID, prior Act of Cash Sale, keys and access information). Louisiana's closing process is handled by a notary attorney — not a title company — and the primary transfer document is the Act of Cash Sale, not a warranty deed.

By Harrison Lilly Realty | June 2026

Most sellers think about paperwork at closing. The ones who've sold before know it starts long before that — and that missing a document at the wrong moment can delay your timeline, create buyer anxiety, or expose you to liability you didn't see coming.

Here's every document you need to sell a home in Monroe, West Monroe, or anywhere in Northeast Louisiana, organized by when you need it.

Before You List

These are the documents and information you should gather before your home goes on the market. Having them ready makes your listing stronger and your conversations with buyers faster.

Property Disclosure Document (Louisiana Law — Required)

This is the one document sellers in Louisiana cannot skip. The Property Disclosure Document is required by Louisiana law for most residential sales. You must disclose known material defects and conditions affecting the property — water damage history, foundation issues, roof leaks, plumbing problems, environmental concerns, and more.

The form is completed by the seller, not the agent. It must be provided to prospective buyers before they make an offer, and they must acknowledge receipt in writing. Sellers who understate or omit known defects face serious legal exposure — including post-closing claims. Complete it honestly, completely, and early. Your agent should walk you through it before listing.

Your Prior Act of Cash Sale

When you bought your home in Louisiana, you received an Act of Cash Sale — Louisiana's version of a warranty deed. Locate this document. The closing notary attorney will examine the chain of title through prior conveyances, and having your prior Act of Cash Sale on hand speeds up the title examination. If you can't find it, the notary can pull it from Ouachita Parish public records, but having it ready saves time.

Survey

If you have a survey of the property from when you purchased, locate it. Many buyers — especially those using conventional or FHA financing — will want to know the property boundaries, and lenders sometimes require an updated survey. Your agent can advise whether a new survey is warranted for your transaction.

System Ages and Maintenance Records

Buyers ask about system ages in almost every transaction. Know the approximate age and condition of your roof, HVAC system(s), water heater, electrical panel, and plumbing. Gather any invoices, service records, or warranties for major repairs or replacements. A transferable manufacturer's warranty on a recent roof replacement is a selling point — but only if you can document it.

Flood Zone and Insurance Information

Northeast Louisiana has genuine flood exposure. Before listing, know your property's flood zone designation and whether you carry flood insurance. Buyers in NELA ask about flood history and flood insurance costs early and often. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and the buyer is financing, the lender will require flood insurance as a loan condition. Having your current policy information — carrier, premium, coverage amounts — ready for buyer review accelerates that conversation. Any prior flood insurance claims must be disclosed on your Property Disclosure Document.

HOA Documents (If Applicable)

If your home is in a homeowners association, gather the CC&Rs, bylaws, current dues amount, any pending special assessments, and HOA management contact information. Buyers financing in an HOA community will need these for lender review — and delays in providing them are a common cause of contract-to-close timeline extensions.

Septic System Records (If Applicable)

Properties in Swartz, rural Ouachita Parish, and many parts of the surrounding NELA parishes that are on septic rather than municipal sewer should have records of the last pump-out, inspection, and any repairs. Many buyers and lenders will require a septic inspection. Prior records demonstrate maintenance and give you a baseline.

Property Tax Records

Know your current property tax amount and whether you have a homestead exemption on file with the Ouachita Parish assessor. The homestead exemption does not automatically transfer to the buyer — they must file their own after closing. But buyers frequently ask about current tax liability, and having an accurate number ready is part of a complete listing presentation.

Wondering what your home is worth before you start gathering documents? Get a free home value estimate at onlyhomes.com/home_value — no obligation, no sales pitch.

Under Contract

Once you've accepted an offer, a second set of documents comes into play.

Repair Records and Receipts

If repair negotiations result in agreed repairs, you'll need to provide receipts and documentation confirming the work was completed before closing. Keep contractor invoices, any transferred warranties, and permit documentation if the work required a permit. Major renovations done without required permits can surface as a title issue during the notary's examination.

Mortgage Payoff Statement

Contact your lender and request a payoff statement — a document showing the exact amount needed to pay off your mortgage as of a specific date. The closing notary uses this to ensure the payoff is handled correctly from your sale proceeds. Request it within 30 days of your anticipated closing date, as payoff figures are date-specific and expire.

Utility and Access Information

As closing approaches, compile all keys to the property, garage door openers and remotes, gate remotes or entry codes, alarm system code and monitoring company information, mailbox key, and any smart home device transfer instructions. These transfer to the buyer at closing.

For a full timeline of what happens between contract execution and closing, what happens between contract and closing when you sell a home walks through every phase.

At the Notary Table

Louisiana closings happen at the office of a notary public — who in Louisiana is almost always a licensed real estate attorney. This is different from most other states, which use title companies.

What you need to bring to closing:

• Government-issued photo ID — driver's license or passport. The notary is required to verify your identity before executing the Act of Cash Sale.
• Any outstanding items your agent or notary requested — this varies by transaction but may include HOA documents, lien releases, or proof of completed repairs.
• Your checkbook (sometimes) — if your net proceeds don't fully cover a seller concession or closing cost, you may need to bring funds. Your agent and notary's office will confirm this in advance.

At closing, you'll sign the Act of Cash Sale — the document that formally transfers ownership from you to the buyer. The notary records this in the Ouachita Parish public records. Your mortgage is paid off from proceeds, agent commissions are disbursed, and your net proceeds are wired to you — typically same day.

There is no transfer tax in Louisiana outside of Orleans Parish. Monroe, West Monroe, Sterlington, and the rest of NELA sellers do not pay a documentary transfer tax on the sale.

Getting organized before listing takes a few hours. Scrambling for documents under contract pressure — when a lender is waiting, a buyer is anxious, and a closing date is on the calendar — takes far longer and creates far more stress.

If you're preparing to sell in Monroe, West Monroe, or anywhere in Northeast Louisiana, our team can walk you through exactly what you'll need and when. Start with a free home value estimate at onlyhomes.com/home_value.