Greg Blake and Tim Smith - FOR SALE BY OWNER: AN EXPERT'S GUIDE FOR SUCCESS

You also should cancel any other services associated with the home, such as water softener service, pool maintenance, lawn maintenance, satellite and Wi-Fi service, security dial-up service, your homeowner’s insurance, etc.

12. Occupancy Logistics:

Unless your contract specified a date different than the closing date for the buyer to take occupancy, you will be expected to turn over the keys to the buyer at the closing. If you or the buyer desires a different arrangement, this must be negotiated between yourself and the buyer. If you anticipate a logistical problem in turning over the keys to the buyer at the closing, make a request for a deviation as quickly as possible. If the buyer is also selling their home on the same date, there may also be a logistics problem with the buyer, making it impossible for the buyer to deviate. Due to many liabilities, it is advisable to make a clean break at the time of closing. Even though there is always a slight possibility of the deal not closing until you are actually sitting at the closing table, you should proceed to make the necessary arrangements to comply with the occupancy as specified in the contract.

13. Final Walk-through:

Usually within 24–48 hours before closing, the buyer, along with their agent, will do their final walk-through to verify that all repairs (if any) have been finished, and to make sure that what they contracted for is still in the same condition. If there are any problems, your agent will be notified. Most problems should have been ironed out by now, but if the walk-

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