Post-Closing Checklist

• Before closing, contact your closing attorney to let them know if you will be signing in person or need to do a mail-away. Mail-aways need more time to overnight, as well as a notary. Attorney may also need time to verify wiring instructions.
• Remove any debris left in or around the home, as well as all personal belongings - big and small (this includes cable boxes and wireless routers. Failing to do so may result in delays in closing, or additional charges if a mover or other services are required.
• Complete agreed repairs and collect necessary documents (warranties, appliance manuals, keys)
• Remember to contact your utility provide and let them know when to disconnect or transfer utilities. 
• Ensure garage door openers (and any remotes that come with them) are working and left on the kitchen counter with additional keys
• Test all appliances, including the stove, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and garbage disposal. Make sure the fridge is cold
• Ensure that all fixtures (anything attached to the home, including window treatments, blinds, wired alarms and security systems, mounting brackets for TVs and speakers, toilet paper holders, etc.) remain in the home. (See Standard Form 2-T pg. 3 for more information)
• Repair any damage or holes left on the wall
• Ensure the home has been swept or vacuumed and isn’t excessively dirty
• Make sure yard items that were sold with the house (storage sheds, hot tubs, landscaping, etc.) remain with the home and haven’t been removed or dug up. Plants, bushes and trees are affixed to the ground by their roots and are thus expected to be included in the sale of the property. (See Standard Form 2-T pg. 3)

Before closing, the buyer may schedule a final walkthrough. This usually occurs right before closing and allows the buyer to ensure necessary repairs have been made, and the home is in the agreed-upon condition.

It is essential that all personal items are removed from the home before the final walkthrough, unless otherwise agreed upon by both the buyer and seller. Do not assume the buyer will want or keep any items left behind. Failing to remove items from the home may cause delays, or even jeopardize the sale. If the listing agent is required to remove items on the seller’s behalf before closing, the seller will incur additional charges.

For your protection, always independently verify wiring instructions either in person or by calling a trusted, verified phone number. Official wiring instructions will only come directly from your lender or closing attorney. As your agent, I will never send wiring instructions. If you receive an email appearing to be from me with wiring instructions, it is almost certainly a scam. Always exercise caution to avoid potential fraud.

After the conditions and provisions have successfully been made, you are officially ready to close on your property. Once the lender confirms we are “clear to close,” we will meet with the closing attorney to complete the transaction. Extra keys should be handed to the agent or left on the kitchen counter.

After the paperwork is signed, and funds have cleared, the deed is recorded marking an official ownership transfer! The closing attorney, or agent, will inform the seller that the deed has been recorded, then transfer the keys to the buyer. If you are accepting a check, you may pick it up at the closing attorney’s office. Remember to save closing documents for tax records. 

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