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The Front Porch Blog

Education on all things homeownership

The Ultimate Home Seller’s Checklist

August 24, 2018 Home Selling

Your house is sold. What next? Lennar Mortgage has prepared your closing checklist as you reach the end of the home buying process.

Services

  1. Gather your receipted bills for taxes, water, sewer and civic association dues and fees. This will ensure you don’t incur costs after the property transfer.
  2. Notify utilities when to conduct a final reading of your meters. Know what you’re responsible for to get ahead of your payments.
  3. Notify your telephone and cable companies to forward any bills and set up an installation at your new location. You don’t want to arrive at your new location with no power and a stack of late fees that may impact your credit.
  4. Notify your waste management service to cancel or transfer garbage collection. You may also be able to rent a dumpster for all the debris involved in moving.
  5. If you’re driving long distances to your new location, notify your fuel dealer to get an oil reading. Moving is expensive enough without your car breaking down, especially if it’s packed with belongings.
  6. Cancel or forward any regular deliveries, such as newspapers, magazines, etc. so they reach your new destination and don’t create pile-ups that attract burglars.

Insurance

  1. Send change of address cards to all necessary recipients.
  2. Immediately write to your mortgage company to notify them that your house has been sold. Request a payoff amount for your mortgage loan.
  3. After the settlement, cancel or transfer your fire and/or homeowner's insurance.

Tenant Readiness

  1. Put all appliance and household equipment information in a kitchen cabinet drawer so the new tenants have quick, easy access.
  2. Bring all keys and electric garage door openers to your settlement to hand over to the new owners.
  3. Have your home "broom swept clean." This is a common real estate term implying a bare, spotless cleanliness for the most professional appearance possible.
  4. Remove all personal belongings from your home. Excavate room by room, and make sure to empty out all drawers, closets, etc.
  5. Notify your moving company of pick-up and drop-off dates to avoid any last-minute delays that prevent the new tenants from moving in.

If your home will be vacant:

  • Notify the police. They can monitor your home for any suspicious activity.
  • Arrange for lawn care or snow removal. Any build-up will be a nightmare for your future tenants and cause costly, preventable maintenance damage.
  • "Winterize" your house if necessary to protect your pipes and insulation.

Ready for your next home? speak to a loan officer today!