There are certain things that every responsible seller should do, and you can make sure you accomplish them all if you make a home closing checklist.
Your closing checklist will come into play after all your personal belongings and furniture have been removed from your home.
Not every seller is required by law to empty the property before or on the day of closing, but most people find that they can’t begin to wrap up the process until everything is out of the house.
Home Closing Checklist
Gather Up All Those Documents
Retain all executed seller disclosures as well as the purchase contract and the closing statement. Ideally, your escrow officer or closing agent will hand you a complete package containing all these things at closing but don’t rely on it.
You might find some of these documents scattered about in your car or at your office. Gather them up and tuck them all together in a safe place. It’s conceivable that you might need them again if a bill was left unpaid or if the buyer becomes angry or some reason and hires a lawyer.
Clean the House
If you don’t have time to personally clean the home before leaving it, then at least hire a someone to do so. How clean is clean enough is often a matter of opinion and personal preference. Wipe down the cabinets inside and out.
It doesn’t hurt to make your last impression on the buyer a good one with little touches like polishing sink fixtures. Leave your home the way you would like to find it if you were the buyer.
Shut Everything Off
Turn off shut-off valves. If you’ve disconnected the water, make sure the shut-off valve is completely turned off because a small drip-drip-drip when nobody is around to notice can eventually flood the home.
Some sellers shut off the valves to all water sources, including sinks, toilets, and dishwashers. Just be sure to leave a note for the buyer so she won’t call a plumber when the water doesn’t turn on.
The Final Walkthrough
Attend the final walkthrough. There are so many peculiarities about a home that only the previous property owner would know. You can pass on these tips to the buyer during the final walkthrough—things like which light switch operates the lights, whether a door sticks or how to clean the drainage.
Cancel Your Insurance Policies
Wait until you know the deed has recorded or title transfer has formally occurred, then call your insurance agent. You should receive a refund of any prepaid premiums for your homeowner’s insurance.
Close Accounts
Cancel the utilities. Make a list of phone numbers of each of your utility companies in advance. Keep in mind that not every utility is always paid monthly. Some are quarterly. You might have a refund coming, or you might be able to transfer the balance to your next home.
All Those Necessary Incidentals
Leave all the necessary keys for the new owner. Yes, the buyers will probably change the locks, but this won’t happen the instant they move in. So find every house key. Put them in a drawer.
Assemble any warranties as well. Hopefully, you set them aside. If you have receipts from contractors or warranties, put them into an envelope and leave them in a drawer as well, along with the manuals and the code for the security alarm.
Don’t Leave Anything Behind
Check cabinets, drawers, and storage areas for any forgotten items. Run one more check even if your spouse or friend says she’s gone through every room with a fine-tooth comb, searching for anything you might have overlooked.
This step will give you peace of mind, and your buyer will feel like he’s moving into his own home, not one you vacated in a hurry.
Lock Up on Your Way Out
Close the windows, turn off the lights and lock the door. You’d be amazed at how many people forget to close up the house—the odds of a break-in decline when no one can see inside. It is especially important if the home is going to be vacant for a while. Consider leaving the security lights on.
A home closing checklist helps you as a seller and also your buyer to have the best experience of home buying.
