Just got the keys to your new home but don't have lights?

Thanks for posting this. This is something that I haven't though about. I am required to make sure it has insurance. Very interesting.

This just happened to one of my buyer agents, she told the girl to get the utilities changed, sent her the numbers, reminded her numerous time. We do this for all of our clients, but Betty took extra care because she is younger and her parents were buying the house.

Mom and dad came into town, had the closing and then they all left .Betty stopped by later in the day to see how things were going and NOT a light in the house. She forgot, mom and dad were upset, ( not at Betty) but at their daughter. It tool them 5 days to get them on. Her parents had come in town to help her fix up the house. They left went to the lake. Oh, did I tell you it was 90 degrees in Ann Arbor that week.

Glad to know this. I will spend the day gathering all the numbers that need  be, and keep them on hand.

Wow..... great tip adding the phone numbers in your cellphone. You never know when you will need them.

Yes it is a very frantic time for buyers to remember everything, I also send them reminders to make sure all utilities are switched over to their names.  We have several electric companies here so it makes it very easy for them if they know exactly which one to call.  It is this kind of service that makes us stand out above the rest.

Andrew, that's good thinking, and good advice.

I'm usually representing the Seller in the transaction and I always ask my Seller to have the power disconnect the day after closing. If the closing is scheduled for a Friday, I ask them to disconnect on Monday.  Couple of reasons, closing don't always happen on time and for the reason this blog is about.  New buyer's get so wrapped up in the excitement and last minute things to get them to closing they forget about the "after". 

 I explain to the Seller that we've advised the buyer to change the utilities day of closing, but they often forget.  This way if they haven't done it by the closing we make those calls as we're leaving the closing table.  It then will only cost the Seller a day's service which is minimal.  If the buyer does indeed change them for day of closing---there's no problem for anyone.

I've never had a Seller refuse.  It's all in the way you present the matter to them.

Although I have not had the experience of closing without utilities the tip about having the numbers  handy is worth the price of this post! Actually on most of my closings, be it buyer or seller, the utility changeover date is almost always scheduled for two days after the closing. If the closing gets delayed, no problem. If the closing goes as scheduled, the new owners get free utilities for a couple of days...either way, everyone is happy - it closed!

I suggest to agents in our office to have a link on your web site to the local utilities and to provide them these links during the home buying process. Also, on your Final Walk Through checklist have Utilities as one of the items to check off as well as the repairs.