Congratulations, you’ve sold your property! What’s next?

Don’t worry, we’ve put together this handy checklist to make sure that nothing gets missed.

  • We deliver the signed Agreement to your lawyer or notary as soon as possible. If you don’t have a lawyer or notary, ask us for a referral. Carefully review all fees and disbursements, land transfer (charged in some provinces), mortgage deductions, adjustments and other closing costs with your lawyers or notary
  • Don’t forget that the buyers of your property are legally allowed to have purchaser’s visits before closing (they typically request 2-3 visits. Check the Schedule A on your Agreement of Purchase & Sale to find out how many the buyers have). These are typically up to 1 hour in length and are booked in at least 24 hours in advance. If the day and time of a requested visit doesn’t work for you, please let our office or your sales representative know
  • If selling a condo, call the management office to book the elevator for moving day
  • Arrange for your move as early as possible. Call a moving company to secure a quote reserve a date. If you’re doing the packing yourself, get more boxes than you think you’ll need, and plan for extra time
  • Cancel or transfer utilities. Make a list of phone numbers in advance of each of your utility companies. Remember not every utility is always paid monthly, some are quarterly!
  • Stop magazine subscriptions and newspaper delivery
  • Gather your important home documents. Things will go a lot smoother if you provide your lawyer with these documents (deed, mortgage, etc). Also, a useful document to have handy is your current or previous year property tax bill
  • Visit your lawyer early. The days leading up to closing will be very hectic, so it is best to provide your lawyer with a set of keys a few days before your closing date. You will also be able to sign final documents at this point
  • When you actually do leave the house for the last time, leave all extra sets of keys on the kitchen counter so the new owners will find them. Also, if you have a garage door opener — be sure to leave the remotes and any codes (if necessary)
  • Pre-authorized payments to the bank. Make sure you bank or financial institute has been alerted to cancel any pre-authorized payments. Provided you are using the same institution for your new mortgage, there shouldn’t be a problem — it is when switching companies that you have to be extra vigilant
  • Do a final walk through, hopefully with one or more pair of eyes to ensure you have not left anything
    behind
  • Leave the property in a ‘broom swept condition!’

Good Ideas Before Your Move

  • Get organized before you move!  Get rid of any unnecessary items.  A great, free service is through Diabetes Canada, you can schedule a free pick up.  They accept small household & electronic items, gently used clothing, footwear and toys (Online Service Available) LINK HERE
  • Organize a moving company-Don’t overlook moving company reviews and doing your homework before choosing a mover.  Be sure they’re licensed, insured & trustworthy!  *If possible, try and book a mid-week, mid-month moving date; this will help to keep the cost of the move down
  • Request moving days off work!
  • Start “eating down” the fridge and freezer, to move less frozen and perishable items *Defrost your freezer if it’s moving with you
  • Purchase moving supplies such as; moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, labels and permanent markers
  • Pack a “first night box” containing things like: change of clothing, p.j’s, medications, basic toiletries, towels, bed linen, coffee/tea *Don’t forget your furbaby’s needs if you have a pet!
  • Prepare an “un-packing box” containing things like:  Allen keys, scissors, screwdrivers, masking tape, dust cloths, labelled Ziplock bags with screws and pieces from dismantled furniture and any tools you may need
  • Make a folder for important documents like: medical and dental records, school records, insurance and home warranty policies, financial statements, passports, ID & closing documents *Keep this with you or somewhere safe during the chaos of the move
  • Have a plan for your children & pets!

Don’t Forget

  • Change Address-Driver’s Licence & Health Card (Online service Available) LINK HERE
  • Canada Post-Mail Forwarding Service (Online Service Available) LINK HERE
  • Change address:  Cell phone provider, car insurance/registration, bank, credit cards, life insurance/will, subscriptions, pet insurance
  • Contact your doctor/dental office and have your family’s medical records forwarded to your new doctor’s office
  • Organize your children’s school records and have them sent to the new school

On your closing day you should expect to get a call from your lawyer’s office that your property has closed and the funds have been delivered into your bank account between 1-5pm. Each lawyer’s office differs so please confirm the process and timing with your lawyer.

Don’t forget that our Client Care Concierge will be able to help with some of this list! For a refresher on these services click here. To reach our Client Care Concierge directly email lori@christinecowern.com or call 289-795-4429.

Happy closing!

Christine & team