7.) Have a new listing? In 2018 he was ranked as the #3 RE/MAX Real Estate agent in New England. 6. Before listing your house, take some time to spruce up the place to maximize the value and timing of your home sale. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a … 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. 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. Know your closing responsibilities when selling a home! Clean your home one final time, taking special care to check drawers and closets for items left behind. This is where the purchase agreement you entered after making your offer comes into play. For example, if you have public water you’re going to need to provide a final paid receipt. 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. If the ceiling is solid, you will be protected from heavy storms and hurricanes. Ideally, your escrow officer or closing agent will hand you a complete package containing all these things at closing. This might be overdoing it, but it keeps them from paying for any electricity until the account is switched. Add some potted plants or flowers to the exterior and interior of your property. 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. Buying a house takes time, energy, and focus. 5. Leave all house keys, remotes, gate keys, pool keys, and mailbox keys for the new owner. There are many quirks about a home that only the previous property owner would know. You might have come across manuals for the HVAC, security system, sprinkler system, or appliances as you were packing. The price of movers can vary dramatically as can what is offered and the services provided. It will state what is included in the sale, from window blinds to appliances. "How Long Can The Seller Stay in The House After Escrow Closes?" All it takes is having a set procedure for kids to complete when they get home. We are talking about needed repairs, cleaning up, perhaps painting a room, landscaping the yard, etc. Setting the right price is the most important step a prospective home seller makes. How to Deal With Homeowners Insurance When You Sell Your House: Avoid Gaps in Coverage. Preparing to sell your home is a stressful and complicated process. Turn off shut-off valves to sinks, toilets, dishwashers, the water heater, refrigerator and washing machine. Leave all “extra” keys and garage door openers on your kitchen counter or out in the open where your new buyers can find them. Close All Valves, and Turn Off All Switches Turn off shut-off valves to sinks, toilets, dishwashers, the water heater, refrigerator and washing machine. It should include photos. Bill Gasset | Return to Top ↑. Home / Buyers and Sellers / Selling a Home. Sometimes these documents get scattered. 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. Personally look over everything one more time. Home After Home 5800 One Perkins Place Building 5, Suite C Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Phone: (225) 603-9040 Email Us Don't forget to let everyone know where you've gone. Subscribe and receive my free diligence lesson plan with printable wall pages by email. Put all the keys, remotes, etc., in one place. Leave a note for the buyers so they won't call a plumber. It is highly recommended that like interviewing a real estate agent, you take the time and find a great mover to work with. Run major appliances like the washing machine, clothes dryer, dishwasher, stovetop, and oven – and check to be sure the refrigerator and freezer are running. Submit a change-of-address form to the post office, but remember that not all mail can be forwarded. Roof. Remove any sign of pets living in your home. Email Address. Check off those items that are in good condition and make notes about those that are not. You received an acceptable offer and your real estate attorney prepared the Contract of Sale. There are things to do after selling your house that should be tackled immediately. Close the blinds, and lock the windows and doors. 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Make your home seem as ‘neutral’ as possible. 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… 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. Any unanswered questions regarding the HUD settlement statement. Getting through the process without making a mistake or losing your mind is tricky. Lenders do this to help prevent. The first most important item is the roof. Consider leaving an inexpensive lamp behind on a timer. You should start preparing for a professional inspection when you initially tour the home, before making an offer. You need to examine if the roof is straight and leveled. Clean the cabinets, refrigerators, and other appliances inside and out. 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. You have made the big decision to sell your home which can be both exciting and stressful. Some homes may need updates such as new carpet, countertops, light fixtures, wall paper removal, fresh paint, etc. Collect all the manuals, warranties and receipts for appliances. 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. Home interior: final walk-through checklist Make sure the water, electricity, and gas are all on. For a small investment, you can rid your home of distracting features that may be turning buyers away. Be ready to make very good first impressions. Accessed July 22, 2020. Sellers’ Checklist. Pre-Closing and Closing Checklist for Sellers. Leave your home the way you would like to find it if you were the buyer. It's not always necessary to shampoo the carpets, but it's a nice touch. Cancel the utilities and stop the newspaper. The following list … Massachusetts Real Estate exposure is a marketing site designed to give Massachusetts home seller’s a dominant online presence. Leave a note for the buyers so they won't call a plumber. 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. Bought to you by Kate Faulkner. Any final utility bills to be paid or collected on. Seller Checklist Pricing. The buyers will probably change the locks, but this won't happen the instant they move in. Bill Gassett has been one of the top RE/MAX Real Estate agents in New England over the last decade plus. 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. To help you make smart decisions, it’s … 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. Here are some tips from Tyson and Brown that can help guide you after you sell your house: 1. Close All Valves, and Turn Off All Switches. 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. 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. Turn off all switches for lights and fans. Put them in a kitchen drawer or other location that is easily found. 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. We use this field to detect spam bots. 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. What makes a house clean enough is often a matter of opinion and personal preference. Checklist Make small fixes. Home inspection checklist. One of the most important reasons to have an inspection when buying a home is so that the HVAC systems can be looked at. You will get reimbursed by the buyer for the oil left in the tank. Is It OK for Sellers to Stay in the House When Showing a Home? Do your best to keep them in one location, as you might need them again in case something happens. It can be a negotiating tool during the sale, and it can later provide a checklist of necessary repairs. This will give you an idea if there are any areas you want the inspector to pay special attention to. What's needed to get your home ready: Things to Do After Selling But Before Closing. Do not remove any appliances or fixtures that are included in the listing. 9. Set too low and you can miss out on some big money. Contact your Hot Water Tank and/or Security company to update their records. Systems: Expect a home inspector to check your home’s big-ticket systems, including electrical, gas, and heating and cooling. Keep in mind that not every utility is always paid monthly. Items Covered Under the Home Inspection Checklist. HomeLight. If you are using a real estate agent, your responsibilities will be dramatically reduced during this process. Turn off shut-off valves that could flood and damage your home. It is especially important to lock up if the home is going to be vacant for a while. Make Home Buyers Fall in Love With Your Kitchen, Follow These Great Marketing Techniques to Help You Sell Your House. Wait until you know the deed has recorded or the title transfer has formally occurred, to call your insurance agent. Make a list of phone numbers for each of your utility and entertainment companies in advance. An after-school checklist helps with that. 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. The likelihood of closing is much greater once the Due Diligence period is over … Leave your home the way you would like to find it if you were the buyer. 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. You might have to reach out directly to some entities to give them your new address. There are a number of details that must be addressed between the signing of the final contract and the closing date. If you have oil heating, it’s customary to provide a final oil reading. How Long Can The Seller Stay in The House After Escrow Closes? Start the cleaning process. It doesn't hurt to make your last impression on the buyer a good one with little touches like polishing sink fixtures. Declutter, paint the walls a neutral color, clean the carpets, touch up the exterior paint and give your home curb appeal. Assemble a packet of appliance manuals, receipts, and any warranties as well. Once the due diligence period is over-earnest money goes hard. You'd be amazed at how many people forget to close up the house. Some sellers flip all of the circuit breakers to off. While you may already be moved out, you are not always required by law to empty the property immediately upon closing.. The deed to your home if you own it (no mortgage). While the closing checklist for your home sale is done, you are not totally out of the woods yet. Moving company selected based on 3 estimates. Check cabinets, drawers, and storage areas for any forgotten items. You should receive a refund of any prepaid premiums for your homeowner's insurance.. Your closing checklist is a guide for your actions after all your personal belongings and furniture have been removed from your home. 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. After accepting the offer, you’ve taken care of all requested repairs on the purchase contract, and are ready to continue the process. Check The HVAC Systems. Home Seller Checklist: Once You Accept an Offer. Retain all seller disclosures as well as the purchase contract and the closing statement. Research and contact a mover. 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