Closing Tasks When Selling
Closing Tasks When Selling Your House
You’re Almost There! How to Prepare for Closing Day
You’re now one step closer to officially selling your home! Even though you have a contract with buyers, the journey isn’t over just yet. There’s still a lot to get done before closing day, and your to-do list might feel like it just keeps growing. And honestly? You’re right!
The last thing anyone wants at this stage is a delayed or canceled transaction due to an overlooked detail. To keep everything on track, here’s what you need to focus on in the days leading up to closing.
What to Expect Before Closing
While it might be tempting to focus on moving logistics and saying your goodbyes, staying organized is key in these final days.
You’ll need to complete certain tasks related to your home and prepare all necessary paperwork for settlement day. Missing or forgetting a crucial document could cause unnecessary delays when you meet with the buyers to finalize the transfer of your home.
Depending on your contract, you may or may not need to be completely moved out by closing day. Some sellers negotiate a post-closing occupancy agreement, allowing them to rent back from the buyers for a short period.
No matter your situation, expect to go through three main steps before closing:
- The home inspection by the buyers
- Home preparation and any agreed-upon repairs
- Gathering and reviewing all documents for the settlement
1. Final Walk Thru by the Buyers
Many contracts include a contingency that allows buyers a set period to complete a professional home inspection. Here’s what you should know:
- On final walk-thru day, you should not be home, but your agent can be present as your representative. Stay available by phone in case any questions arise.
- Make sure all utilities remain on, even if you’ve already moved out.
- Depending on the results, buyers may request repairs if they were not done as requested. Or ask about an item that was removed and thought it was going to stay.
2. Preparing Your Home for the New Owners
As you wrap up your time in your home, it’s essential to leave things in order for the new owners. Here’s what you should do:
- Complete all agreed-upon repairs. Keep receipts and records to confirm the work was done as part of any inspection amendments.
- Schedule utility disconnection for the closing date. Arrange for a final meter reading before shutting everything off.
- Forward your mail. Visit USPS.com to set up mail forwarding and notify important contacts of your change of address.
- Prepare a home information packet for the buyers. Include appliance manuals, warranties, maintenance records, and contractor service dates.
- Gather and label all keys. This includes house keys, mailbox keys, garage openers, and any other access points.
- Leave the home in "broom swept" condition. Buyers will typically do a final walkthrough before heading to closing to ensure the home is in the agreed-upon condition.
3. Preparing for Settlement/Closing Day
Your real estate agent will walk you through everything you need to bring and complete before closing. To make things go smoothly:
- Notify your bank of your new mailing address. This ensures you receive final loan paperwork and any escrow balance refunds.
- Prepare instructions for your proceeds. Decide whether you want a check or wire transfer for the funds from your home sale.
- Confirm all documents with the escrow company. Reach out ahead of time to ensure all necessary paperwork is in place.
- Discuss any concerns with your agent in advance. Don’t wait until closing day to raise potential issues—address them ahead of time to prevent last-minute surprises.
How I Help Make the Process Stress-Free
As your agent, my job is to make sure you stay on track so that nothing falls through the cracks. I have a step-by-step system to guide you through every requirement, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience. Selling your home is a big milestone, and I work hard to make this phase as easy as possible for you.
Thinking of selling your home? Let’s connect! I’d love to help you through every step of the process to get you the best results with the least amount of hassle.
