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Prepare For Closing
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Your Closing is Almost Here – What to Expect in the Final Weeks
First of all ... congratulations! We’re in the home stretch of selling your home. In just a few weeks, the keys will officially change hands, and you’ll be on to your next chapter.
Between now and closing, my goal is to keep things smooth, stress-free, and predictable, so you always know what’s next. If anything needs clarification, I’ll walk you through it step-by-step so nothing feels rushed or confusing.
Plan to have the house emptied and cleaned the day prior to closing so the buyer can do the final walk-through.
Begin notifying important contacts of your change of address:
- Post Office (2 weeks prior to closing set up mail forwarding)
- Banks & Credit Cards
- Insurance Companies (home, auto, health)
- Mortgage Company (if applicable) so they know where to send the escrow account refund
- Employers, subscriptions, memberships
Coordinate the following now:
Hire movers or reserve a moving truck (ask me if you’d like a referral to trusted vendors).
Stop auto-payments for your mortgage and HOA.
Notify any service provides like the landscaper to stop services effective the closing day.
Note: you are responsible for maintaining the house up to the closing date.
Pack rooms you use less frequently.
Label all boxes by room and mark any fragile boxes clearly.
Create an “Essentials Box” with items you’ll need right away in your new home (toiletries, chargers, a few dishes, basic tools, medications).
If repairs were agreed upon, confirm they are completed and provide receipts if needed.
Final Details
Schedule signing your side of the closing in advance.
Schedule the buyer’s final walk-through (usually within 24 hours of closing).
Schedule your final meter readings and stop dates for electric, water, gas, internet as applicable.
Cable boxes, modems and routers may need to be returned to service providers.
This is usually the day of or 24 hours before closing. It’s simply a chance for the buyer to confirm the home is in the same condition as when they made their offer.
Make sure everything is tidy and all agreed-upon items are in place including (TV Mounts, Doorbells, Window Treatments, Appliances and Fixtures).
Power and water must be on for the walk-through - Disconnect them after closing.
Buyer’s Final Walk-Through
Packing & Moving Prep
Start boxing up the last items you won’t need before moving day. Double-check closets, attic, garage, appliances and storage areas so nothing gets left behind.
- Have the house emptied, clean and move-in ready. Do a deep clean or schedule a professional cleaning service.
- Empty and clean out the refrigerator and freezer. Remove ice and turn off ice-maker.
- Organize and label the keys, remotes, and appliance manuals for the buyer.
Closing Day - Signing Documents
You'll need to bring photo ID and forwarding address to closing.
If you want money wired to your bank account, bring your banks "Incoming Wire" routing number and your bank account number.
You’ll sign the final documents, turn over keys, remotes, and any community access cards.
Once the funds are transferred, the sale is complete, the sale will be officially completed and you can celebrate!
My Promise: I’ll be in touch every step of the way, answering questions quickly and helping with any last-minute hiccups so closing day feels exciting, not stressful.
We’ve come this far together, and I can’t wait to hand you a smooth, successful finish.
If you know of anyone that I might also be able to assist, please share your experience with and refer them. All referrals are greatly appreciated. A review of your experience working with me would also be greatly appreciated.
After the closing is completed:
Call the water department and ask them to close the account and do a final read of the meter. They may require the closing statement and warranty deed. Note: You must obtain the final water bill.
Once you receive the final water bill:
- Forward the final bill to the title company and ask them to pay it from the escrow holdback and send the difference to you, or
- Pay the final bill and send proof to the title company so they can refund the escrow holdback to you.
Cancel homeowners and flood insurance. They will need the closing statement and your forwarding address.
Insurance is paid in advance so you are entitled to have them prorate/refund the unused premium.
After closing (con't)
Once your mortgage is paid off, your lender has 30 days to return your escrow account balance. Please make sure your lender has your forwarding address.
Change the address for your drivers license, registration and voter registration.
If you are purchasing another primary residence in Florida, file for Homestead Exemption and Portability.
Homestead Exemption does not automatically transfer from property to property, you must file a new application for your new residence.
A Portability application transfers any tax savings you have earned on your existing home to your new homesteaded property.
Note: You must first apply for a Homestead Exemption in order to be eligible for Portability. A link to the Broward County Property Appraisers website with more information about Portability is: https://bcpa.net/homestead.asp
Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Not intended to solicit sellers or buyers under written contract with another REALTOR®.
Sharon Flood
REALTOR®, CLHMS, CPRES, CRS, MRP, PSA, SRS, RENE, ABR
Coldwell Banker Realty
Independently owned and operated.
Independently owned and operated.
First Last
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Coldwell Banker Realty
Independently owned and operated.
Independently owned and operated.
14469 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33027