A Seller’s Guide to Closing Day

You accepted an offer, made it through due diligence, and closing day is finally in sight. Per the North Carolina Offer to Purchase and Contract, you have the responsibility to deliver the home to the buyer in substantially the same—or better—condition as it was when the offer was made. So what does that mean?

Here is a practical checklist to help you make it to the closing table without any last-minute hiccups.

Keep Everything Running

Even if you move out before closing, leave the water, electricity, gas, sewer, and other utilities on until the sale has officially closed and the deed has been recorded. Closing can occasionally be delayed, so do not schedule the utilities to be disconnected on closing day. I typically recommend scheduling shut-off for the day after the closing date.

Continue maintaining the lawn, landscaping, and pool through closing, too. And keep your homeowner’s insurance active until your attorney confirms that the closing is complete.

Know What Stays—and What Goes

Fixtures that were not specifically excluded in the contract should remain with the home. This can include light fixtures, curtain rods, mounted televisions or brackets, mirrors, shelving, and other attached items.

Be especially careful when movers arrive. Clearly mark anything the buyer purchased or anything that was included in the contract so it does not accidentally end up on the moving truck.

Unless you and the buyer agreed otherwise, nails should generally remain in the walls when artwork is removed. Extra paint, flooring, light bulbs, or building materials should not automatically be left behind. Ask your agent first to see whether the buyer would like them.

Don’t Forget Your Smart Home Devices

Doorbells, thermostats, cameras, smart locks, hubs, and other connected devices need a little extra attention:

• Remove them from your personal accounts.

• Delete your private information.

• Restore any devices that are staying with the home to their factory settings.

Be sure the buyer receives any information needed to set them up again.

Complete Repairs and Clean Up Move-Out Damage

Finish all repairs agreed to during the transaction and provide receipts or other documentation to your agent.

Moving day can be rough on a house. If the movers scratch a floor, dent a wall, or damage a doorframe, have it repaired properly before the buyer’s final walk-through. Let your agent know as soon as the work is complete.

Remove Everything That Isn’t Staying

Before the final walk-through, remove all personal belongings, trash, and debris from the property. Check the easy-to-forget places:

• Attic

• Crawl space

• Garage

• Shed

• Cabinets and drawers

• Refrigerator and freezer

• Under decks and porches

• Around the sides of the home

  
  

If something does not fit inside the designated trash bin, do not leave it at the curb. Arrange to have it hauled away.

Gather Every Key and Remote

Collect all house keys, mailbox keys, garage remotes, gate openers, and keys for sheds, crawl spaces, attic doors, padlocks, storm doors, and pool fences.

Remember to retrieve spare keys from neighbors, friends, family members, house cleaners, pet sitters, and service providers. Also check your vehicles for removable garage door remotes.

Your agent or closing attorney can tell you where to leave everything for the buyer.

Update Your Address and Services

Submit a permanent change of address with the USPS and update your address with banks, credit cards, insurance providers, subscription services, and online retailers.

After closing, remember to cancel or transfer services associated with the property, including:

• Lawn and pool care

• Pest-control plans

• Alarm monitoring

• Propane, oil, or fuel deliveries

• HOA or COA automatic payments

• Mortgage drafts

  
  

Be careful not to cancel anything too early. Some services and payments should remain active until the sale has officially closed.

Leave Helpful Information Behind

Gather appliance manuals, warranties, garage-door instructions, security information, and contact details for companies that have serviced the home. Leaving them together in a kitchen drawer is a thoughtful—and very helpful—gesture for the new owners.

And here is one final detail that is easy to overlook: empty the ice bin and turn off the ice maker. Just don’t dump the ice into the kitchen sink, where it could melt and create an unwelcome surprise!

One Last Walk-Through of Your Own

Before handing over the keys, walk through the home as if you were the buyer. Open every closet, check every drawer, look inside the garage and attic, and make sure the property is clean, empty, and ready for its new owners.

Selling a home involves a lot of moving parts, especially during those final few days. My job is to keep you informed, help you anticipate the details, and get you across the finish line as smoothly as possible.

Have questions about selling your home—or want a personalized plan for getting it ready for the market? I am always glad to help. No pressure, just honest information so you can make the best decision for you.

This article offers general guidance for North Carolina home sellers. Your contract and any written possession agreement will control the responsibilities and timing of your specific transaction.