Buyers' Check List
Please print and utilize the following as your personal check list of important items to attend to prior to closing, at the closing and after the closing. There may be other matters which you need to attend to prior to closing so be sure to add them to the bottom of this list. Retain this list with your permanent papers and records for the purchase.
Our attorney at Rubin Weisman is: ______________________________________
Our sellers' names are: ___________________________________________
The home we are buying is at: ___________________________________________
Our home inspector is: _________________________________________________
The home inspection was completed on: _____________________________
Any inspection deficiencies? ______________________________________
If so, how were they resolved?_____________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Our lender is: _________________________________________________________
We received our commitment on: ___________________________________
The commitment expires: __________________________________________
The lender's attorney is: ___________________________________________
The date and time of the sale is scheduled for: ________________________________
The place of closing is: ___________________________________________________
The brokers involved in the transaction are: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Check with your attorney as to how you should hold title to your new home: ______________________________________________________________________
Check with your attorney to discuss title insurance:______________________________
1. Be sure to notify all of the utility companies of your moving date at least two weeks prior to closing in order to obtain final readings for your current residence and to arrange for billings in your name for your new home:
Date Contacted: Company: Telephone Number:
______________ Gas Company _________________
______________ Electric Company _________________
______________ Telephone _________________
______________ Oil Company _________________
______________ Cable Company _________________
If your new home is heated by oil, the sellers should provide you with proof of the number of gallons on oil remaining in the tank. Most purchase and sale agreements call for an adjustment of oil in favor of the sellers. Check with your broker to determine the number of gallons and the price per gallon.
Date Checked with Broker: ________________
2. Be sure to contact the Post office:
Date Contacted:
_____________ Obtain Change of Address Cards and kits to mail to friends, relatives, businesses, magazine subscriptions
_____________ Notify Post Office of your new address
3. Contact the broker to be sure that the sellers have obtained a certificate from the Fire Department indicating that the home has been inspected for smoke detectors.
Date Contacted: ___________________
4. Contact the broker to ask that the sellers assemble all guaranties or warranties relating to systems, appliances and improvements which will help you in understanding your new home.
5. Water and Sewer Charges
Date Contacted:
_____________ Be sure the broker has contacted the Water and Sewer Departments to obtain final readings at least 3 days prior to closing. This amount will be credited to you unless the bill has been paid by the sellers.
6. Notify your insurance agent to obtain your new homeowner's insurance effective at least one day before the closing. If you are selling your home, be sure to contact your agent to cancel your current policy effective the day after the closing.
Date Contacted: ______________ Telephone Number:____________
7. Notify your insurance agent of your change of address for an endorsement on your automobile insurance.
Date Contacted: ______________ Telephone Number: ____________
8. Obtain change of address stickers for your driver's license from the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Date Obtained: _______________
9. Check to make sure a new deed has been prepared by the sellers attorney and a copy has been provided to your attorney.
Date Checked: _______________
10. Check with the broker and your attorney on the closing date, time and place.
Date Checked with attorney: _______________
Date Checked with broker: _________________
11. Contact your attorney to determine what funds will be necessary to bring to the closing. Such funds must be certified or cashier's checks.
12. Bring the following to your closing:
______ Driver's License and a second form of personal identification
______ The checks referenced in #11, above
______ Several blank checks (just in case last minute adjustments need to be accounted for at the closing).
______ If you are selling a home before purchasing, your new lender may require a signed copy of the HUD Settlement Statement from your sale.
13. If you are selling your current home before you purchase your new home, funds from your closing may not be available until the next day after the closing because of the time or place of the closing, registry of deeds backlogs as well as several other possible reasons. Be sure to take this factor into account regarding your need for funds for the purchase. Please contact your attorney for assistance in this regard.
14. Be sure to plan ahead and make sure your moving arrangements have been made. Your agreement will generally require that the sellers must deliver the premises free and clear of all occupants and tenants. In many instances sellers may be required to deliver the new home in a "broom clean condition". Your agreement will provide for a final inspection. Be sure to arrange this inspection with the broker. This inspection is your final opportunity to inspect the home to make sure that it complies with the terms of the agreement and that it is just as you saw it at the time of your home inspection. Ideally, the new home should be vacant at the time of your inspection. If you note any deficiencies please contact the broker and your attorney right away.
Date Contacted Moving Company: __________________ Tel. Number:______________
15. Be sure to contact the Assessors Office after the closing to make sure that all future real estate tax, water and sewer bills come to your attention as the new owner of the home. Date contacted: __________________________________________________
Other matters which we need to attend to prior to closing:
Add details below:
