Once you’ve accepted the buyer’s offer or negotiated a deal acceptable to all parties, you can expect to spend about 6-8 weeks working to get to the closing table. Fortunately you won’t have to do all of the work by yourself, but you’ll need to spend time completing specific tasks on your closing to-do list.
During this time period you can expect to be contacted by the home inspector and appraiser for the buyers to set up times when they can visit the property. You will need to be there when they come calling, so it will likely be in the evening or on a weekend unless you are home during the day. The visits are likely to take over an hour to complete each, and you would be wise to accompany both the inspector and appraiser as they go about their jobs.
You will need to also take care of the other end of your transaction: the steps needed to complete your move into a new home, whether you are buying or renting.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
- Hire a real estate title insurance company immediately after reaching agreement with the buyer.
1-2 WEEKS AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT
- Arrange for escrow through a title company and deposit the buyer’s earnest money with the company.
- Be ready to give your information to the title company when they call or email you. This is important as they are putting all the pieces together. Some of this information may feel personal but there is a lot that will be needed to close the sale.
2-3 WEEKS AFTER SIGNING CONTRACT
- Cooperate with the buyer’s home inspector and appraiser.
3-4 WEEKS AFTER SIGNING CONTRACT
- Fix items that you agree to repair as soon as possible after the inspection.
4 WEEKS BEFORE CLOSING DAY
- Set a closing date with your title company.
- Hire a moving company.
- Make sure to take care of details that need to be handled to get to the closing table, and when the closing day arrives, you’ll be all set.
At Title Junction we care about helping you stay informed throughout your real estate transaction. Have questions? Give us a call at 239.415.6574.
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