UNDER CONTRACT! NOW WHAT?
Receiving an Offer on your home and going under Contract can certainly make you feel like a million bucks! The hard part is over now, right? Know that even after the Contract has been signed, sealed and delivered, there's still a LOT more to do when it comes to actually sealing (Closing) the deal. Here are the next steps to take once you’re certain your property is actually “off the market” and Due Diligence has begun.
GET TO PACKING
Many sellers think that packing is something that can wait until the last minute; boxing up your belongings is actually a great opportunity for a little spring-cleaning and you’ll find that there is FAR more to pack than you ever thought! DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! My clients are encouraged to begin packing before ever even putting their homes on the market. After all, you’re going to be packing to move when you go under Contract so, why NOT start early Whether you decide to pack, donate or trash items, it’s best to get started now.
CALL THE MOVERS
Do not wait until your buyers are past Due Diligence to schedule the movers; schedule them when you go under Contract. The day you have to be out of your home is a hard and fast date within your Contract; it’s important to get ahead of this process and contact the movers as soon as you can. Moving companies have busier times of year and by booking in advance, you can save having to move twice because you can’t get on a reputable mover’s calendar. If you're not working under a time crunch, you also have the advantage of shopping around to find the better deal.
PREPARE FOR THE INSPECTOR
Most sellers have been working on a list of minor repair items - hopefully completed prior to listing their homes - so, now is the time to wrap up those final items before your inspection. Prioritize your list and get to it if you haven’t completed that list! This can save you lots of headaches following your buyers’ home inspection. There are several other tasks that you will want to be sure you’ve completed prior to the home inspection, including:
Replace all burned-out light bulbs- Unlock crawl space
- Remove items from the attic to allow for a full inspection of the attic space
- Remove items from the walls of the garage to allow for full inspection by the general/mechanical inspector, termite inspector and the structural engineer’s inspection.
- Replace any worn washers on plumbing fixtures
- Check for any leaks under sinks and have a plumber address any issues you may be suspect of.
- If you have had a leak in the past and ‘old stains’ are present in any area, leave a note for the inspector explaining the cause of the leak and any remedy that was necessary to correct it. Some sellers maintain great records and can even leave a copy of the contractor’s invoice to show that the work was done and/or warranted.
- Have your windows cleaned - some inspectors incorrectly note a window to have a broken seal when, indeed, the window was merely dirty.
For a more complete checklist for Charlotte home sellers to prepare your home for your home inspection, read more here.
It's a wonderful feeling to get your home under Contract and at the asking price but, there are still a few items that need to be addressed before your deal is sealed. Contact us at (704) 491-3310 or email CharlotteBroker@icloud.com for more Charlotte home seller tips.
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© Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com | UNDER CONTRACT! NOW WHAT?
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