SELLER’S MOVING OUT CHECKLIST
You’ve sold your house, and you’re moving out. What should you do for your home’s new owners?
___ “Unattached goods” or chattels: Your purchase contract may specify some of the things that you are leaving behind such as kitchen and laundry appliances, window coverings and the like. As a bare minimum, make sure that these items are in place, clean, and in good working order.
___ Cleaning: Your home should look much the same as it did during showings. While you are under no legal obligation to leave your home spotless, it’s just a nice thing to do, if you can. A good rule of thumb is to leave your home as clean as you’d like to find it! If it’s not possible to give it the “mother-in-law white glove” test by washing windows, walls and light fixtures, steam-cleaning carpets and the like, at the very least do the following:
- Thoroughly clean kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room (all fixtures, appliances, etc.)
- Vacuum all carpets
- Wash bare floors
- Wipe out all cupboards
- Tidy the yard, garage and shed
- Get rid of all garbage
___ Keys: Collect and label all keys – extra house keys, garage, shed, mailbox (leave information about mailbox number), etc. Keys should be left in conspicuous location but not one that is visible by someone looking through a window from the outside.
___ Garage door openers + codes
___ Security system info + codes
___ Instruction books, warranties, repair records for appliances, furnace, water heater, etc.
___ Information about upgrades: For example, if you installed a new roof, leave a note about when, what materials were used, who installed it, the cost, etc.
___ Re-painting: If any recent re-painting was done, leave leftover paint with info about brand, color name, etc.
___ Utility info: Leave information about providers (water, power, gas, internet, etc. with contact info), approximate monthly costs (copies of bills would be great), garbage and recycling pickup (what days, any special instructions, etc.)
___ Utilities disconnect or transfer: Have meters read. Depending on the arrangement with the new owners, water and power may be turned off, furnace and hot water heater turned down, etc. Your REALTOR® can help!
___ “Welcome to your new home”: It’s a nice touch, if you are so inclined, to leave a card or personal note for the new owners. A recent copy of the local newspaper or community newsletter might also be appreciated.
___ Acreage owners: Leave behind results of latest well water tests, well drillers’ report, upgrades to well and septic pump/system and the like.
___ Make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave.
