Once a seller has accepted your offer, you still need to make sure these 10 things are done before closing day.
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From walking into your dream home for the first time to getting your offer accepted, buying a home can be an exhausting process. However, there are still 10 things you need to do before closing on your new home:
1. Get your earnest deposit delivered in a timely manner. Since many contracts are written online and require a digital signature, many times agents write in that the deposit needs to be delivered a day or two after acceptance.
2. Schedule an inspection. Buyers may be responsible for a home, termite, pool, or septic inspection, so be sure you know what you’re responsible for. Make sure you get the repairs negotiated within the time frame of your contract.
3. Get your documents to your lender. Make sure your lender has everything they need in a timely fashion and check in with them to make sure there are no hiccups during the closing process.
4. Make sure your lender orders an appraisal after you’ve negotiated the repairs. This is important as appraisals can take up to 10 days to be completed.
5. Get homeowners insurance. You need to shop for that and get that in place prior to closing. Your lender will require this, so make sure you let them know who you have selected right away.
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Make sure you transfer your utilities before the day of closing.
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6. Get the closing date and time scheduled. You’ll have to coordinate with your buyer’s agent, the seller, and the seller’s agent to figure out a date and time that works for everyone, so make sure you’re on top of that early in the process.
7. Transfer utilities. Make sure your utilities are transferred by closing day so you aren’t without power or water when moving in.
8. Check out the closing disclosure at least three days prior to closing. This is an important step, as you’ll be checking that all the numbers you see match what you were expecting.
9. Schedule a final walkthrough. Make sure all the repairs have been done, there has been no additional damage done to the home since writing the contract, and the sellers can move out in a timely manner.
10. Be prepared for closing. Bring in proper identification and have your funds wired in for your closing costs or if need be your down payment. It will take 30 to 60 minutes for the closing process.
You’ll review and sign the documents, the attorney will then send them to the lender, the lender will provide the final funding fee, and then the keys will be given to you and the home is yours.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help!