How should Sellers prepare for closing?

Here is a checklist of tips for things every responsible Seller should do before and after closingThe process of completing a financial transaction. For mortgage loans, the process of signing mortgage documents, disbursing funds, and, if applicable, transferring ownership of the property. In some jurisdictions, closing is referred to as “escrow,” a process by which a buyer and seller deliver legal documents to a third party who completes the transaction in accordance with their instructions. See…. 

• • Get instructions, place and time for your closing from the titleThe right to, and the ownership of, property. A title or deed is sometimes used as proof of ownership of land…. company or brokerA person or firm that acts as an agent between providers and users of products or services, such as a mortgage broker or real estate broker. See also “Mortgage Broker.”…. Usually, you bring your driver’s license and bank account information for the wire transfer. If you have a remote closeIn real estate, a remote close is a closing at a place other than the title company. Typically a notary is hired to go to the place of your choice to sign and notarize your closing documents. It can be your home, office, out-of-state location, military base, foreign embassy. Anywhere with a notary service acceptable to the buyer, seller, title company, and…, make sure you are working out the logistics with the title company in advance. 

• • Your contract might have a provision to have your home “professionally cleaned and holes patched”. Check your contract and amendments. At least, clean the house and remove all personal items. Mow the lawn, clean the pool, and leave the home as you a Buyer, would like to find it.

• • Check your contract and amendments to make sure all repairs have been completed. Usually, the Buyer will “walk-through” the property before closing to make sure repairs are done and the home is in the same shape it was in when they first viewed the property. 

• • A few days before closing, schedule the termination of your utilities. Send us a list of whom you called and the termination dates for us to send to the Buyer agentRefers to the agent and broker solely representing the buyer of the property. The buyer agent, the cooperating broker, the other broker, the buyer broker, are terms used interchangeably. In most context, it is real estate professional receiving a commission for representing the best interest of the buyer. …. Stop the newspaper.  Cancel or move your Internet, cable or and satellite subscriptions. Submit your change of address form to the post office.

• • Leave house keys, remotes, gate keys, pool keys, HOA keys, mailbox keys, securityThe property that will be given or pledged as collateral for a loan…. codes, garage codes for the buyer and take them with you to closing for the buyer. 

• • Gather appliance, garage, security system manuals, receipts for past repairs and improvements, warrantiesWritten guarantees of the quality of a product and the promise to repair or replace defective parts free of charge…., and take them to closing or leave them in the kitchen.

• • Leave carpet, paint, flooring and other samples or extras in a conspicuous place.

• • Check cabinets, drawers, storage for forgotten items.

• • Leave curtains, shelves, TV mounts, pool equipment, openers unless they are excluded in your contract from the sale of the home. 

• • Lock the doors when you leave!

• • Cancel your insurance policies after your deedThe legal document transferring ownership or title to a property Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure: The transfer of title from a borrower to the lender to satisfy the mortgage debt and avoid foreclosure. Also called a “voluntary conveyance.”… has been recorded. You should receive a refund for your unused paid premium.

• • Keep for your records; executed contract, addendum’s, sellers disclosure, closing documents and closing statementSee “HUD-1 Settlement Statement.”, in a safe place.

• •  If you have personal items to sell to the Buyer, called non-realty items, look at this post – How do we sell appliances and other non-realty items?

• • Sometimes the order of closing changes where you leave the keys and other items. If the Buyer is closing first, you might be asked to leave everything at the house.