Your transaction has closed, and now…

Whether you’ve just sold a home in Tamaqua or just purchased one, you have a few tasks to complete after the closing.

• First, change all the utilities into or out of your name. This includes cable, electricity, phone service, and HOA records. If you’re the seller and have had newspaper delivery, remember to cancel or move your subscription.
• Next, wait a few days, then check in with the local taxing authority to make sure their changes have been made.
• If you’ve sold a home with a mortgage, and especially a home with a second mortgage, check County records to make sure that the reconveyances have been properly filed. Don’t assume that things will be done properly, because now and then they do miss something.
• Contact all of your accounts and do an address change.  Remember your doctor, your dentist, your veterinarian, your insurance agent, your employer, your banks, and your voter registration. If you had a land line and won’t be keeping the number, remember to update that as well.

If you’re the buyer:

Do a little extra cleaning in the bathrooms and kitchen, and around the switch plates, door knobs, etc. Disinfectant wipes will work for most things. Hydrogen peroxide is a fine disinfectant to use on built-in cutting boards. Clean the dryer vent before installing your own dryer.

 

This isn't any reflection on the seller's housekeeping - you just never know who helped them move and whether or not someone had a cold.

Change all the locks or have them re-keyed. The same goes for access codes to security systems and garage door openers. You don’t know how many other people might have copies of the old keys and codes.

 

Change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

If the sellers didn’t leave user manuals for all of your appliances, the furnace, etc. go on line and download them for handy reference should they be needed.

 

To save yourself time and hard work - If you plan on repainting or re-carpeting any rooms, do it before you move in.

 

Take pictures of the house as it is at closing time - they’ll be fun to look at after you’ve added your personal touches.

 

Taking care of these tasks will save you time and trouble in the long run - and add to your pleasure in having purchased or sold a Tamaqua home.