Moving Out Smoothly: What Sellers Often Forget

CONGRATULTIONS! Take a deep relaxing breath.. your home is SOLD! Now that your home is sold there are a few more things that need to be taken care of leading up to possession or closing day. The following is not an all-encompassing list, but it will get you started in the right direction, to help you experience a smooth transition between now and when possession or closing day arrives.

Let's Dive In

What Sellers Often Forget Before Moving Out

Check these items off your list.

Cancel or transfer utilities

Including hydro, gas, internet, and water. Refer to my utility provider list for easy contact info.

Manuals, Remotes, and Warranties

Start organizing all the manuals and appliacne warranty paperwork to leave for the new owners.

Mail Forwarding

Forwarding your mail and updating your address with banks, insurance and government service. You can do this in person at any canada post office.

Deep Clean

Especially appliances, baseboards, and cupboards. Remove wall hooks and patch holes unless agreed upon to leave them in your agreement.

Spare keys and remotes

Label them and leave them in a visible spot

Cleaning the house and property

Your home should be CLEAN – rugs cleaned, floors mopped, cupboards wiped out, bathrooms cleaned (including tub/showers, toilets, sinks and medicine cabinets), appliances cleaned inside and out, all items including unwanted items/garbage should be removed from the house, garage, sheds, storage, property, etc. Cleaning not your thing? Check out our referral list for help.

• Ensure items that are part of the purchase contract, are left in the home (ie. Microwave, Washer/Dryer, TV wall mounts, Window coverings, other special items etc.). Other items to leave behind are: appliance manuals, mailbox keys, spare keys, alarm codes, garage door remotes – we recommend leaving these in a kitchen drawer. Refer to the terms in your Purchase Contract.  

• Cut the lawn, clean up any pet waste in the yard. and repair any damage that may have occurred during the moving process.

Everything has been moved out of the home, garage, and storage sheds. Do one last check to give you peace of mind:  

• Open all drawers, look to the back of cabinets, closets, closet shelves, under the stairs, and possibly the attic (if you stowed items there) or rafters of the garage  

• Do a walk around the perimeter of the home, the backyard, and even in the lane behind your home  

• Check your eaves for Christmas lights

Leave the Buyer a welcome note

There are many idiosyncrasies that only a Seller knows about their home... and you could pass on these tips to the new Buyer. It is a nice gesture and very appreciated by the new Buyer if you could write a note, informing them of things like:  

• Which light switch operates certain lights/fans  

• Whether a door sticks  

• Security System Access Code  

• Garage door keypad code  

• Mailbox keys and the corresponding mailbox number  

• How to clean the swimming pool or pond  

You could leave this note on the counter or in the same envelope as the manuals, etc. that you have put aside for the new buyer.

Bonus Tips for a Stress Free Final Week

Make your life a little bit easier.

Pack an essentials box

Toiletires, phone chargers, snacks, meds and a few days worth of clothes

Confirm Closing details

Ask your agent and/or lawyer if you are unsure about any closing details like the statement of adjustments, vendor cheque and key exchange.

Take final photos

Just in case. Snap a few pics of your nice clean, vacant home.

Book Your Movers early

Especially if you're moving in the winter!

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