Moving can be a very stressful undertaking. It is easy to overlook some important items. The MA seller pre-closing checklist below can ensure a smooth closing and move.

Schedule Mail Forwarding

You can inform USPS ahead of time regarding your change of address. This may be done in-person or via the Internet. Note that there may be two different services offered. A simple change of address includes only a small fee (a few dollars) online. There is a premium service that costs a bit more but is normally not necessary unless you need more than mail forwarding. You will still need to inform everyone directly of your new address. Forwarding through the post office remains in place for a finite period of.

Contact Your Mortgage Company

If your mortgage payment includes a portion for property taxes, this means that your mortgage company keeps an escrow account with the funds. When your property taxes are paid, the funds are removed from that escrow account. If your closing is planned for around the same date as the due date, you should ask your lender not to pay that bill. You could be charged for that same bill at closing, which will lead to a duplicate payment. Double check this with the closing attorney to clarify. It can be a burdensome procedure to obtain that money returned or you might miss the mistake and lose those funds in the process. Typically, any money left in escrow account is refunded to you after the lender receive the payoff.

Terminate Utility Service

Call your utility providers to inform them of your termination. Most will need advanced notice in order to check the meter. Other services, such as cable, may require you to return their hardware. You might not learn such details until you call them, so try not to delay until the last minute to do so.

MA Seller Pre-closing Checklist

The MA seller pre-closing checklist shared above includes merely a few of the important items to include. For additional guidance on selling a property, ask your listing agent. He or she will help keep you on track.