10 Things to Do Before You Leave Your Home...
You’ve sold your house! Your new home awaits! Movers are scheduled, 
boxes are lined up, ready for their trip in the moving van. You’ve taken care of the utilities and are ready to begin your new adventure.
But wait… there’s more you can do… not
just for you, but for your Buyers..
The new homeowners!
Many factors enter into what you as the seller could and should do for the new owner. In some states or areas, you may have a legal responsibility to leave your property in a specified condition.
For this, you need to consult your local real estate agent. In some contracts or areas, agents and others use the term “broom clean.”
Below are 10 things you can do for your Buyer before you leave.
1.Leave it truly “move-in” ready.
Keep the Golden Rule in mind when you’re doing this. Do everything you can to leave your house as spotless as you would want it left for you.
If your timing leaves you little time to do a thorough cleaning, hire a crew to come in after the moving company and you have left.
2.Gather papers.
Place inside an envelope or small file container instructions for appliances, the garage door opener, pool pump, air conditioner and anything else that is staying with the house.
If you have receipts for repairs and service that you’ve had on any of the above, it’s a nice idea to include those as well.
3. Garage door openers.
Many of us don’t use these anymore because we program our cars with the garage door openers. You may have even tossed yours out. You can find a universal remote at your local hardware store.
4.Remove all trash.
As you are moving, leave trash bags in every room. This makes it easy for you, friends, or family members to toss trash right out.
5. Ask before leaving…
Don’t assume that your new homeowners will want your extra paint cans, wallpaper, tile, etc. They may be planning on some remodeling or updating to make it their own. It’s kinder not to have to make them figure out how to dispose of your items.
6. Leave them some light.
You will have removed your lamps so the only light the buyers will have, until they unpack their lamps, will be your overhead lights, and those other fixtures that are staying with the house.
Be kind, and check to make sure that all light bulbs are working.
7. Leave names and numbers.
Your buyers may be new to the area or community, so it would be nice to leave:
Emergency numbers
Local service numbers and addresses for the cleaners, post office, grocery store, yard services, etc.
Recommendations for local restaurants and delivery services
Take out menus
8. Patch holes left by photos and other hangings.
This is really easy to do if you plan for it… gather the materials you’ll need and patch as you remove the hangings.
9. Leave a note with one or more self-addressed stamped envelopes for any extra mail that may be delivered after you leave.
10. To really make a nice impression:
Leave a Welcome Home note. Some sellers have left flowers or a plant...a gift certificate to the local store, the local newspaper or magazine.
No one says that you have to do any of this, but wouldn’t it make life just a bit nicer.
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