Once a buyer’s agent calls with the news that a seller has accepted their offer, typically a 30-60 day closing process is set into motion. During those 30-60 days, there are a few things that buyers need to stay on top of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Sign the Purchase Contract: If a buyer and seller have been negotiating back and forth on price or any included items in a home sale, both parties need to sign the contract in order to put the closing process into motion. This contract also should include one other necessary piece: an agreed-upon date for closing.

2. Alert Your Lender:  If you have been pre-approved, you’ll need to alert your lender that you’re ready to take the steps necessary to finalize that loan.

3. Schedule Appraisals and Inspections: In most cases, a buyer’s lender will arrange for a home appraisal; but, buyers are typically responsible for scheduling their own home inspections. However, the buyer’s agent is very knowledgeable about these inspections and is more than happy to assist in scheduling them. The inspections should include a general home inspection, but also may include others, like radon or pest inspections.

4. Arrange for Repairs: If a home inspection unveils damages or needed repairs, buyers should request that those repairs be completed before their new home’s issues legally become their problems, which will happen after closing day if they are not addressed before that time.

5. Find Homeowner’s Insurance: Believe it or not, homebuyers, you need to have your homeowner’s insurance in place before your new home is actually yours. Your insurer needs to have your policy in place before you head to the closing table.

6. Alert Necessary Parties: If you’re renting, you’ll need to inform your current landlord that you’re moving out, in order to avoid any possible penalties that may be included in your lease. You’ll also need to transfer over your utilities or arrange for new services to be put in place for your targeted move-in date. After all, things like water, heat and electric may be necessary while moving in. You may also want to make sure that services like cable and internet are arranged in advance, too! If you’ll need some moving help, hire moving companies or reach out to family and friends who may be able to help you move.

7. Make Sure Needed Funds are Available: Buyers may need to come to closing with a cashier’s check for the remaining amount of any closing costs. Scrambling to the bank on the day of closing to obtain the check may not be something you want to do. So, once that closing date is set and everything is proceeding as planned, buyers should make sure they’ve got that necessary money in hand.

8. Complete a Final Walk-through: Often times, buyers and sellers agree that some items should stay with a home. For instance, things like blinds or other conveying items need to stay in place when a home is sold. So, buyers should complete a final walk through a home before heading to the closing table. This way, they are 100% comfortable accepting their new home just the way it is!

9. Attend Closing: You have to go to closing to put your final signature(s) on those closing documents for a home to be yours! Go to the closing table prepared, so that there are no last-minute hang-ups, like scrambling for funds or missing documents.

10. Celebrate….. BECAUSE YOU JUST PURCHASED YOUR HOME! Congratulations!

AskHomesale.com provides real estate advice and information for home buyers, home sellers, and homeowners alike. Askhomesale.com is part of the Homesale Realty Family. The Homesale Family of Companies is the leading real estate company serving the Baltimore, Maryland, South Central and Southeastern PA real estate markets.  Homesale Realty has more than 27 offices with over 1,200 REALTORS®. Homesale Realty’s footprint includes Maryland real estate offices in Baltimore Metro, Federal Hill,  Harbor East, Phoenix, Timonium, and Westminster. Pennsylvania real estate offices include Lancaster,Ephrata,Elizabethtown, Mt Joy, Quarryville, Camp Hill,Carlisle,Chambersburg,Harrisburg,Hershey, Lebanon, Schuylkill Haven,Wyomissing, York,Dallastown,Gettysburg,Hanover, and Shrewsbury.

Tips for Home Buyers  |  Tips for Home Sellers | Tips for Homeowners