{"id":139391,"date":"2022-06-09T14:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T18:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=139391"},"modified":"2024-12-30T13:19:02","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T18:19:02","slug":"checklists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/checklists\/","title":{"rendered":"Checklists for Buying and Selling a Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

Moving into or out of a home can be chaotic. Make sure these tasks are on your \u201cdon\u2018t-forget\u201c list.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Before You Move In<\/h2>\n

Line up insurance
\n<\/strong>Lock in your insurance provider and plan so you\u2019ll have coverage the day you officially take ownership.<\/p>\n

Contact utilities
\n<\/strong>Have electric, gas, water, and internet services placed in your name and new address.<\/p>\n

Forward mail
\n<\/strong>Stop by the post office to forward your mail to your new address or do it online at USPS.com (it \u2019s free). It\u2019s best to allow two weeks\u2019 notice.<\/p>\n

Arrange moving help
\n<\/strong>Hire a moving company, rent a truck, or gather boxes for a moving party with friends (free pizza and beer always help). Keep in mind rental vans and trucks are busiest on the first and last of the month when most leases and rental periods end.<\/p>\n

Meet the neighbors
\n<\/strong>Introduce yourself and give neighbors your number before you move in\u2014in case they have questions about people coming and going. The Nextdoor app lets you connect with neighbors and find lost pets.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Before You Sell<\/h2>\n

Toss and donate
\n<\/strong>If you haven\u2019t used it in a year, it\u2019s not worth packing up and moving to a new place or paying for storage. Websites like caringtransitions.com help older adults and their families with downsizing, estate sales, online auctions, and relocating.<\/p>\n

Think like a buyer
\n<\/strong>Real estate agents agree: It \u2019s all about making rooms look larger and livable. \u201cLess is more,\u201d says Scott Vaillancourt of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group in Bedford, NH. \u201cTry to depersonalize and declutter so that prospective buyers can envision their families moving in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do an inspection
\n<\/strong>Have a friend walk through your home with fresh eyes and give honest advice for fix-ups. Another option: Pay for your own home inspection (around $400) and get a heads-up on the repairs potential buyers may ask to have done.<\/p>\n

Not sure about selling? Consider renting your home
\n<\/strong>Keeping your home as a rental (short- or long-term) might be a good option if you don\u2019t need to sell it to buy another. Ask your real estate agent if it makes sense in your area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SOURCE: BETTER HOMES & GARDENS<\/em><\/strong>\u00ae <\/strong>MAY 2022 ISSUE <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"