As a seller, you put a lot of work into preparing your Locust Grove home for the market. From decluttering and fixing up rooms to home inspections and moving out your belongings, sometimes there are a few things that can slip sellers’ minds. Here are a few last minute things that you will want to add to your list of things to do before you move out of your Locust Grove home.
Contact Utility Companies
All utility companies operate differently so it is important to contact each company and share the date that you will be closing on your home. Most utility companies will just transfer the utility usage from you to the new owners, but they need the sellers to contact the company first before this can be done. It’s wise to set the transfer date for a day after closing because if you close on a Friday or before a holiday, the deed of sale may not be recorded at the courthouse immediately, meaning that the sellers still own the home. Also, sometimes the closing day of your Locust Grove home may change. If so, make sure to contact the utility companies to keep them in the loop.
Don’t turn the utilities off before closing! During the final walk through the buyers will need water and electricity to ensure that appliances and home systems are in the same working order as when the contract was written.
Contact homeowners insurance company
Let your insurance company know that you are selling your Locust Grove home and share with them the closing date. Like the utilities, it is best to retain the insurance until the property has officially closed. Even if you are not currently living in the property or are under contract, as the owner, you are still responsible for the property.
Put all the keys in one location
As you are packing up, you might find a spare set of keys to the back door or an extra garage door opener. Place these keys in a drawer in the kitchen or other easy to spot location for the new homeowners.
Keep the paperwork
After closing, you will be given copies of all the closing documents. Even though you don’t own your Locust Grove home anymore, make sure to not throw these documents out. The documents will show if you paid any partial taxes for the year and if you made any profit from the sale of your home. You may need this information when it comes time to complete federal and state taxes.
Change Your Address
Go to the post office and fill out a change of address form so that your mail can be forwarded to your new address. If you have any subscription services from places like Amazon then make sure to update your address there as well.
