Selling Your Home? Don’t Forget the Final Handoff

Getting your home under contract is a major milestone, but there are still a few details to handle before you hand the keys to the new owners.

A thoughtful seller handoff can make closing and move-in easier for everyone. It can also help the buyer understand the property, its systems and some of the little details that may have become second nature to you during your ownership.

The National Association of REALTORS® recently published a helpful Seller Handoff Checklist outlining information and items sellers may want to organize before moving out.

1. Gather Manuals and Warranty Information

If you still have manuals, receipts or warranty information for major appliances and home systems, gather them together in one place.

Consider including information for:

  • HVAC systems
  • Water heaters
  • Kitchen appliances
  • Generators
  • Pool equipment
  • Smart-home equipment
  • Other major systems or improvements

If a warranty may be transferable, providing the buyer with the applicable paperwork can be especially helpful.

2. Organize Keys, Openers and Access Codes

It is surprisingly easy to overlook an extra key or access device during a move.

Before closing, gather the items that belong with the property, such as:

  • House keys
  • Mailbox keys
  • Garage-door openers
  • Gate or amenity fobs
  • Storage-area keys
  • Keypad instructions
  • Smart-lock information

For connected security cameras, doorbells or other smart-home equipment staying with the property, sellers should also make sure their personal account is properly removed so the new owner can establish access.

3. Explain the Home’s Important Systems

You know where everything is. The buyer probably doesn’t.

A simple note identifying the location of the main water shutoff, electrical panel and other important controls can be extremely helpful.

You might also identify unusual switches, timers, irrigation controls or smart-home features that aren’t immediately obvious.

4. Share Useful Service and Maintenance Information

If you have contractors or service providers who know the property well, consider leaving their contact information.

Depending on the home, that could include:

  • HVAC company
  • Plumber
  • Electrician
  • Landscaper
  • Pool company
  • Pest-control company
  • Cleaning service
  • Irrigation contractor

Recent maintenance dates or service schedules can also give the new owner a useful starting point.

A Few Extra Considerations for Grand Strand Properties

Here along the Grand Strand, there may be a few additional property-specific items worth organizing.

For a condo or HOA property, consider making sure the buyer knows where to find information concerning association contacts, amenity access, gate or parking procedures and other community-specific items.

For a coastal home or vacation property, information about the pool, irrigation system, exterior lighting, storm-protection equipment or other specialized features may be particularly useful.

The goal isn’t to create another complicated closing requirement. It’s simply to transfer useful knowledge about the property while that information is still fresh and easy to provide.

5. Don’t Throw Away Useful Leftover Materials Too Quickly

Before disposing of leftover building materials, ask whether the buyer would like them.

Items that could be useful later include:

  • Matching paint labeled by room
  • Extra tile
  • Flooring pieces
  • Carpet remnants
  • Specialty light bulbs
  • Replacement filters
  • Extra roofing or exterior materials

A few matching pieces of discontinued tile or flooring may be considerably more valuable to the new owner than they appear during your move.

6. Finish Strong Before Turning Over the Keys

Once you have moved your belongings out, remember the final practical details: forward your mail, remove personal information from connected devices and leave the property in the condition required by your contract.

Then make sure all keys, remotes, documents and agreed-upon items are ready for the final handoff.

Selling a home involves much more than putting a sign in the yard. From preparing and pricing the property through negotiations, inspections and closing, having an experienced REALTOR® helping manage the details can make the process much easier.

Get the Complete Seller Handoff Checklist

The National Association of REALTORS® Seller Handoff Checklist provides additional ideas for making the transition to the new homeowner as smooth as possible:

https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/consumer-guide-seller-handoff-checklist

Thinking About Selling Along the Grand Strand?

If you’re considering selling a home or condo in Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach or elsewhere along the Grand Strand, I’d be happy to help you evaluate the property, prepare it for the market and develop a selling strategy based on your specific situation.

Dan Sine, REALTOR®
Dunes Realty Sales
(843) 455-6319
www.dansinerealtor.com