Selling a home can often feel like a rollercoaster ride, filled with twists, turns, and excitement at every step of the way. But now that you’ve reached the top, it’s time to prepare for the final plunge – closing on the home. The closing process can be a complex and time-consuming affair, but with the right guidance and approach, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In this article, I share essential tips for sellers to ensure a smooth and stress-free closing. From being prompt with communication to budgeting for closing costs, these tips will help you navigate the final stretch of the home-selling journey with confidence and ease. So buckle up and get ready for a successful close as you embark on this new chapter in your life!
9 Tips for Selling a Home
You’ve invested time and effort in preparing your home for sale, found a reliable real estate agent, and hosted numerous showings until you discovered the perfect buyer. Selling your home can feel like scaling a mountain, with numerous crucial steps to conquer before reaching the summit. However, there remains one final hurdle before exchanging keys: closing on the home. This detailed, weeks-long process necessitates that both buyers and sellers accomplish multiple tasks before bringing the process to a close. To help you navigate this stage with ease, we’ve compiled 9 valuable tips for sellers aiming for a smooth and stress-free closing.
Tip 1: Be Available and Prompt with Communication
Be prepared to provide all necessary documents that are required for the closing transaction. Preparing yourself and your work schedule accordingly will help with being able to respond promptly. Remember, it takes a team to close and good communication between all parties is vital for a smooth closing. If you have any out-of-town obligations within the last two weeks of closing, make sure to tell your real estate agent and closing attorney so they can work around your obligations.
Tip 2: Be Flexible and Patient
Every closing transaction is different. Always make sure to expect the unexpected and remember that everyone involved in your closing process is working extremely hard to close your transaction as quickly as possible. Some closing transactions can happen quicker than others. Always be patient because the whole closing transaction is a process that everyone involved is working hard to complete.
Tip 3: Gather Your Documents to Bring to Closing
As a seller attending the closing, it’s crucial to bring all required documents. Ensure you have a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to verify your identity for signing the necessary documents in the closing transaction. The individual notarizing your closing documents must also confirm your identity before notarizing your signature. Remember to bring all copies of the keys to the home, which you’ll hand over to the closing attorney or your real estate agent for the buyer. Additionally, provide any unpaid bills that require payment or collection at closing to the closing attorney, so they can settle these from your proceeds at closing.
Tip 4: Notify All Important Parties that You are Moving
Managing tasks during a move isn’t always obvious. After completing your home sale, notify your bank, doctor’s offices, children’s school, and utilities about your move. File a change of address at your local post office to forward mail to your new address. Cancel any insurance or utilities no longer needed for your old home. Preparing these lists in advance ensures a smooth transition when informing relevant parties about your move.
Tip 5: Be Considerate to the New Owners
Make sure to gather all your belongings. Do not leave unwanted items behind. It’s important to make sure the home is ready for the new buyers to move all their belongings in. Giving the house a good deep cleaning for the new buyers is an excellent idea to do before finalizing the closing process. Gathering all keys, access codes, warranties, and manuals for appliances and putting them in one place for the new homeowners is a wonderful idea. This ensures the new homeowners have everything they need.
Tip 6: Do a Final Walk Through
Ensure the house is presentable and you’ve fulfilled all requests from the new homeowners by conducting a final walk-through of the home. Collect all your belongings and keep in mind that most contracts allow buyers a last walk-through within 24 hours of the final closing day. During this walk-through, they can assess the home and property’s condition to verify the completion of all agreed-upon repairs. Typically, this stage of the transaction proceeds without any issues. The final walk-through offers buyers peace of mind, knowing that you, as the seller, have met the sales contract conditions and completed any home inspection-related repairs.
Tip 7: Review Documents Carefully
Reviewing your closing disclosure before the final closing date is crucial, as it contains pertinent details of your transaction. During this review, ensure your name is spelled correctly and your address and contact information are accurate. Double-check that all fees you’re responsible for are listed accurately with the correct amounts. If you spot any necessary corrections, don’t worry; most cases can be easily fixed before the final closing day.
Tip 8: Turn Off Shutoff Valves and Lock Up
The last thing you want before closing is for something to happen to the home you’re selling. Turning off any valves 24 hours before closing will help prevent anything from happening such as a flood. It’s important to remember to make sure all windows and entry doors are locked. It’s also a wonderful idea to make sure to leave a porch light on to make it seem like someone is still living in the home.
Tip 9: Make Sure to Budget for Closing Costs
Closing costs can vary between different closings depending on the contract signed prior to closing. In most cases, the seller will be responsible for the commission for the listing and selling agent. Sellers will also be responsible, in most cases, for the prorated property tax amount up until the final day of closing. Any unpaid homeowner association dues will need to be paid by the sellers as well. It’s important to budget and save for the closing of your home to make sure you’ll have the appropriate amount for closing.
Conclusion
Finally, you have officially sold your home! Congratulations! Now it is time to give yourself a pat on the back and start settling into your new home and phase of life. In conclusion, the closing process may seem overwhelming, but by following these practical tips and maintaining open communication with all parties involved, you can make the journey much more manageable. Remember, the ultimate goal is to facilitate a smooth and stress-free closing experience for both you and the buyer. With patience, flexibility, and proper preparation, you’ll be able to complete the final steps of selling your home confidently and embark on a new adventure in your next abode. Congratulations on reaching this milestone, and here’s to new beginnings and a successful close!
The above is not legal advice. Should you need advice on a real estate closing or would like to use Chris Baldwin Law for your next closing, schedule your FREE Consultation by clicking HERE or contact us by calling 334-863-4555.
Chris Baldwin Law
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Here at Chris Baldwin Law, we utilize a program called Qualia for all of our real estate closings. With Qualia, we also use a service call Qualia Connect. You might be asking yourself, “What is Qualia Connect?” Qualia Connect is a cloud-based, all-in-one secure portal that allows efficient communication for individuals during the closing process. Check out our article “Closing with Qualia Connect” to learn more.
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