You've finally sold your house. Congratulations! But now what? While selling a house may seem like the hard part, there are actually quite a few things you need to do after the sale is complete. From closing up shop to finding a new place to live, here's everything you need to do after selling your home.
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1. Notifying Utility Companies and Government Agencies
Utilities must be notified when you are moving so that they can either transfer or disconnect service at your old address. The same goes for any other type of service, such as trash or lawn care. You will also need to notify the post office so that your mail can be forwarded to your new address.
2. Forwarding Your Mail
You will need to notify the post office of your move so that they can forward your mail to your new address. The U.S. Postal Service offers a few different options for forwarding mail, including making the change online, by phone, or in person at your local post office.
3. Transferring Your Home Insurance
If you have homeowners insurance, you'll need to transfer the policy to your new address. This is usually as simple as contacting your insurance company and letting them know of the change. Some companies may require you to provide proof of ownership at the new address, such as a deed or mortgage statement.
4. Canceling Your Home Warranty
If you have a home warranty, it will likely need to be canceled when you move. Most home warranties are only valid for a certain period of time, and moving to a new address usually voids the warranty. You'll need to check with your home warranty company to see if there are any steps you need to take in order to cancel the policy.
5. Disposing of Hazardous Materials
If you have any hazardous materials in your homes, such as paint or cleaning products, you'll need to dispose of them properly before moving. Many towns have special disposal days for hazardous materials, so be sure to check with your local municipality for more information.
6. Conducting a Final Walkthrough
A final walkthrough is typically done a day or two before closing, and it gives you a chance to make sure that the home is in the same condition as when you last saw it. This is also a good time to check for any personal belongings that may have been left behind by the previous owners. If you worked with FasterHouse they’ll remind you of exactly when this can happen.
7. Collecting Your Belongings
Once the sale is final, you'll need to collect all of your belongings from home. This includes everything from furniture to clothes to dishes. If you hire a moving company, they will likely do this for you. Otherwise, you'll need to arrange for transportation yourself.
8. Saying Goodbye to Your Home
This may be the hardest part of selling your home. After all, you probably have a lot of memories in the home, good and bad. But now it's time to say goodbye and move on to the next chapter in your life.
9. Finding a New Place to Live
Unless you're moving into a new home that you've already purchased, you'll need to find a new place to live. This may mean renting an apartment or house or even staying with family or friends temporarily. Start your search early so that you can be sure to find a place that meets all of your needs.
In Closing
Congratulations on selling your home! Just remember to take care of these important details, and you'll be all set for your next adventure.
