Get Your Home Ready for the Sale. How Long Can The Seller Stay in The House After Escrow Closes? Run major appliances like the washing machine, clothes dryer, dishwasher, stovetop, and oven – and check to be sure the refrigerator and freezer are running. You might have a refund coming, have to pay a balance, or be able to transfer the balance to your next home. Add some potted plants or flowers to the exterior and interior of your property. Retain all seller disclosures as well as the purchase contract and the closing statement. Subscribe and receive my free diligence lesson plan with printable wall pages by email. Put them in a kitchen drawer or other location that is easily found. Lenders do this to help prevent. Set too low and you can miss out on some big money. 5. Research and contact a mover. A good inspector will address these issues in the report you pay for. You'd be amazed at how many people forget to close up the house. While the closing checklist for your home sale is done, you are not totally out of the woods yet. Put all the keys, remotes, etc., in one place. Check The HVAC Systems. Assuming that the HVAC systems check out after an inspection, there are still a couple tasks that buyers should complete after closing on a new home. Any unanswered questions regarding the HUD settlement statement. If you have oil heating, it’s customary to provide a final oil reading. Prepare Your Home for Sale Checklist (PDF) Free Diligence Lesson. Bill Gassett has been one of the top RE/MAX Real Estate agents in New England over the last decade plus. One of the most important reasons to have an inspection when buying a home is so that the HVAC systems can be looked at. Pre-Closing and Closing Checklist for Sellers. How Long Does the Home Closing Process Take to Close? Email Address. Whether you are a new real estate agent or you’ve been in the business for 20 years, it is always good to have a system in place to make sure that you don’t miss a beat when listing and marketing a property. For example, if you have public water you’re going to need to provide a final paid receipt. The seller should already be moved out before you come over with your final walk through checklist so you can make sure everything you expect to be there when you move in is indeed there. Here are some tips from Tyson and Brown that can help guide you after you sell your house: 1. Close the blinds, and lock the windows and doors. Remove any sign of pets living in your home. Turn off shut-off valves to sinks, toilets, dishwashers, the water heater, refrigerator and washing machine. To help you make smart decisions, it’s … Inspect your home with a buyer’s eyes, and correct the flaws that are most egregious (if affordable) or can be relatively easily fixed—from repairing cracks in the walkways to repainting dingy walls or oiling creaky hinges. Is It OK for Sellers to Stay in the House When Showing a Home? The following are the major house inspection items that are normally found in the home inspection checklist. Additional Helpful Home Selling References, home improvements you really wanted to make, difference between personal property and real property, Checklist for what you do after a closing, Checklist of what a real estate agent will do for you, Greater Metrowest MA Real Estate Marketing, Your license – anyone on the purchase and sale agreement is going to need to have a valid drivers license. You would hate to find out the home appraised significantly below sale price after your due diligence period is over. Copy of your Agreement of Purchase and Sale - usually a copy is faxed to our office by your Real Estate Agent; Confirmation that you have contacted the to arrange the final reading of your meter. Personally look over everything one more time. Bake a cake a few hours before your viewings. Moving company selected based on 3 estimates. Make Home Buyers Fall in Love With Your Kitchen, Follow These Great Marketing Techniques to Help You Sell Your House. Roof. 6. 5 Tests to Determine What a Fixture Is and Is Not in Real Estate, A List of Homebuyer Turnoffs That You Should Avoid, The 7 Best Home Warranty Companies of 2020, How to Negotiate as a Buyer in a Sellers Market. Westcoe Realtors. Do your best to keep them in one location, as you might need them again in case something happens. Moving Checklist. To get your home ready for sale these tips will help smooth the way and take some of the stress out of the process. You will get reimbursed by the buyer for the oil left in the tank. The likelihood of closing is much greater once the Due Diligence period is over … Buying and Selling Property Checklists - This site has free checklists to help you carry out property projects successfully, avoiding mistakes, cowboy builders, dodgy landlords and letting agents and rogue tradesmen. There are certain things that every responsible seller should do, and you can make sure you accomplish them all if you make a home-selling checklist. Whether you’re moving to accommodate your growing family or looking for a smaller space to be your empty nest, selling your home is a big decision. The buyers will probably change the locks, but this won't happen the instant they move in. Bought to you by Kate Faulkner. Elizabeth Weintraub is a former homebuying writer for The Balance with more than 40 years of experience in real estate, including experience in title and escrow. Assemble a packet of appliance manuals, receipts, and any warranties as well. Clean the cabinets, refrigerators, and other appliances inside and out. TOTAL HOME INSPECTION INSPECTION CHECKLIST v.1.0 CALL US AT: 203-966-8801 1 Total Home Inspection Checklist Use a checklist like this to make sure that you are looking at all parts of the house. We use this field to detect spam bots. Your after school routine can be so much easier! Systems: Expect a home inspector to check your home’s big-ticket systems, including electrical, gas, and heating and cooling. You can pass on these tips to the buyer or agent during the final walkthrough—things like which switch operates the lights, whether a door sticks or how to change the swimming pool filter. It doesn't hurt to make your last impression on the buyer a good one with little touches like polishing sink fixtures. Preparing to sell your home is a stressful and complicated process. Checklist Make small fixes. Leave your home the way you would like to find it if you were the buyer. All it takes is having a set procedure for kids to complete when they get home. It can be a negotiating tool during the sale, and it can later provide a checklist of necessary repairs. Know your closing responsibilities when selling a home! Contact your Hot Water Tank and/or Security company to update their records. An after-school checklist helps with that. It is highly recommended that like interviewing a real estate agent, you take the time and find a great mover to work with. Don't forget to let everyone know where you've gone. You might have come across manuals for the HVAC, security system, sprinkler system, or appliances as you were packing. Home inspection checklist. "How Long Can The Seller Stay in The House After Escrow Closes?" Turn off all switches for lights and fans. Moving supplies stocked. If you have receipts from contractors, warranties, and termite inspections put them into an envelope and leave them in a drawer as well, along with the manuals and the code for the security alarm. You should start preparing for a professional inspection when you initially tour the home, before making an offer. It will state what is included in the sale, from window blinds to appliances. There are things to do after selling your house that should be tackled immediately. 7.) Appliances: They’ll check to make sure any appliance that’s staying with the home is in good working order—like your stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, garage door, and water heater. Make a list of phone numbers for each of your utility and entertainment companies in advance. Short list: Boxes; Packing tape; Packing paper; Bubble wrap; Box cutters; Markers; Trash bags; Colored labels (Post-its or sticky dots) Moving date set based on contract with the buyers of your home. There are many quirks about a home that only the previous property owner would know. It should include photos. You’re competing with other short sales and want your home to stand out. Seller Checklist Pricing. What makes a house clean enough is often a matter of opinion and personal preference. Turn off shut-off valves that could flood and damage your home. What's needed to get your home ready: Choosing a conveyancer or solicitor First Name. This will give you an idea if there are any areas you want the inspector to pay special attention to. If you are using a real estate agent, your responsibilities will be dramatically reduced during this process. Be ready to make very good first impressions. Sometimes these documents get scattered. For a small investment, you can rid your home of distracting features that may be turning buyers away. The condition is something that every appraiser looks for on every home appraisal inspection.What this means is that your home should look like you take care of it.Although you may not have the newest and greatest finishes, the condition of your house can go a long way.I have seen homes with dated finishes sell for similar prices as updated home… Any final utility bills to be paid or collected on. The deed to your home if you own it (no mortgage). 10 Things To Do After Your Offer is Accepted - Checklist for Home Buyers Posted by Andrew Fortune Mon, Jun 29th, 2020 10:12am 258,213 Views. Submit a change-of-address form to the post office, but remember that not all mail can be forwarded. Clean your home one final time, taking special care to check drawers and closets for items left behind. Home / Buyers and Sellers / Selling a Home. Accessed July 22, 2020. You might have to reach out directly to some entities to give them your new address. Close All Valves, and Turn Off All Switches. Bill Gasset | Return to Top ↑. Before listing your house, take some time to spruce up the place to maximize the value and timing of your home sale. Start the cleaning process. Massachusetts Real Estate exposure is a marketing site designed to give Massachusetts home seller’s a dominant online presence. Make your home seem as ‘neutral’ as possible. Keep in mind that not every utility is always paid monthly. The first most important item is the roof. Things to Do After Selling But Before Closing. Do not remove any appliances or fixtures that are included in the listing. Attend the final walkthrough. HomeLight. You should receive a refund of any prepaid premiums for your homeowner's insurance.. 9. Wait until you know the deed has recorded or the title transfer has formally occurred, to call your insurance agent. Once the due diligence period is over-earnest money goes hard. If the ceiling is solid, you will be protected from heavy storms and hurricanes. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a … Some homes may need updates such as new carpet, countertops, light fixtures, wall paper removal, fresh paint, etc. One of the key factors that determine value in an appraisal is the condition of your home. Cancel the utilities and stop the newspaper. Some sellers flip all of the circuit breakers to off. Your key to the home to give to the closing attorney or your real estate agent to hold until the home is on record. Preparing Your Home For Sale Checklist. Consider leaving an inexpensive lamp behind on a timer. Leave all house keys, remotes, gate keys, pool keys, and mailbox keys for the new owner. The following list … Check off those items that are in good condition and make notes about those that are not. Leave a note for the buyers so they won't call a plumber. In 2018 he was ranked as the #3 RE/MAX Real Estate agent in New England. You have made the big decision to sell your home which can be both exciting and stressful. Congrats! Getting through the process without making a mistake or losing your mind is tricky. Home Seller Checklist: Once You Accept an Offer. Accessed July 23, 2020. Home After Home 5800 One Perkins Place Building 5, Suite C Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Phone: (225) 603-9040 Email Us This might be overdoing it, but it keeps them from paying for any electricity until the account is switched. This is where the purchase agreement you entered after making your offer comes into play. The price of movers can vary dramatically as can what is offered and the services provided. Take a look at the comprehensive list of items that you will want to finalize in the helpful reference above. If you don't have time to personally clean the home before leaving it, hire a professional cleaning service to do so. Run one more check even if your spouse or friend says they've gone through every room with a fine-tooth comb, searching for anything you might have overlooked. How to Deal With Homeowners Insurance When You Sell Your House: Avoid Gaps in Coverage. After accepting the offer, you’ve taken care of all requested repairs on the purchase contract, and are ready to continue the process. Buying a house takes time, energy, and focus. Have a new listing? You received an acceptable offer and your real estate attorney prepared the Contract of Sale. There are a number of details that must be addressed between the signing of the final contract and the closing date. Ideally, your escrow officer or closing agent will hand you a complete package containing all these things at closing. Sellers’ Checklist. Items Covered Under the Home Inspection Checklist. Leave all “extra” keys and garage door openers on your kitchen counter or out in the open where your new buyers can find them. Leave a note for the buyers so they won't call a plumber. The summary of the home inspector's findings will point out which items are in good condition and which are in need of repair or replacement. New Listing Checklists for Real Estate Agents. Check cabinets, drawers, and storage areas for any forgotten items. This article will help you Sell your home faster and increase the sale price at the same time. Collect all the manuals, warranties and receipts for appliances. Setting the right price is the most important step a prospective home seller makes. Home interior: final walk-through checklist Make sure the water, electricity, and gas are all on. You need to examine if the roof is straight and leveled. From making the decision to sell to actually listing that property for sale can take weeks, months or even years, and then there’s the sales process itself to get through before you’ll see that SOLD sticker across the sales board. It is especially important to lock up if the home is going to be vacant for a while. It's not always necessary to shampoo the carpets, but it's a nice touch. Declutter, paint the walls a neutral color, clean the carpets, touch up the exterior paint and give your home curb appeal. "How to Deal With Homeowners Insurance When You Sell Your House: Avoid Gaps in Coverage!" When you finalize with a buyer on your home or vacate it to move, you'll need to ensure you have completed everything you are supposed to—from negotiated terms to good seller etiquette. While you may already be moved out, you are not always required by law to empty the property immediately upon closing.. Set too high and the home can languish on the market, undergoing multiple price drops until it sells for below market value. It can be hard to keep a home sparkly clean and tidy while you’re living in it, especially if you have children and pets. 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Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure is owned and operated by RE/MAX Realtor Bill Gassett, who covers the Metrowest Massachusetts area and beyond including Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Worcester, Upton and Uxbridge MA. Close All Valves, and Turn Off All Switches Turn off shut-off valves to sinks, toilets, dishwashers, the water heater, refrigerator and washing machine. Leave your home the way you would like to find it if you were the buyer. Your closing checklist is a guide for your actions after all your personal belongings and furniture have been removed from your home. We are talking about needed repairs, cleaning up, perhaps painting a room, landscaping the yard, etc. In mind that not every utility is always paid monthly the signing of the final and. 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