There are lots of things to remember when you’re buying a new home. We’ve assembled three checklists to make it easier.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
Once you’re really serious about buying your new home, you’ll probably want to make an appointment with one of our mortgage specialists to be “pre-approved.” Pre-Approval makes you a power shopper. It’s a firm dollar amount for which you qualify, made after your income, assets, and credit have been favorably reviewed by the lender.
When you come to your appointment for pre-approval, here is what you should bring:
- Proof of income, which can be consecutive copies of your most recent pay stubs for the past month, or a copy of a signed offer that states your new salary.
- Your Form W-2 for the last two years. Alternatively, if you’re self-employed or receive commission income, you’ll need two consecutive year’s tax returns.
- Your last two consecutive monthly bank statements, listing all your assets in checking, savings, mutual funds, brokerage, and retirement accounts.
- Miscellaneous information, depending on your personal situation, such as copies of resident alien cards, visas, divorce decrees, etc.
There might be other documentation needed if you are self-employed or only earn commissioned income. One of our mortgage specialists can tell you more about this.
What to bring to your Closing Day
There are some essential things that you’ll need to bring to your Closing Day. But don’t worry! When the big day draws near, we’ll provide you a checklist so that you won’t forget anything. Not only that, we’ll be making sure that you collect what you need as we guide you through the exciting home-buying process. In the meantime, here is some of what’s required:
- A Certified Check or Cashier’s Check that includes your Down Payment plus all anticipated Closing Costs, less the Earnest Money you likely put down when you made your offer to purchase. Your lender will tell you the exact amount this check should be, and it will also be clearly spelled out on the Settlement Sheet.
- Documentation proving that you have adequate Homeowner’s Insurance for the property you’re buying. This will usually be a paid receipt, and a Declarations Page that shows your policy number, the dollar amount of coverage, the address of your new home, who is the actual owner, and the yearly cost of the insurance. (Insurance companies routinely fax a copy of these two documents to you loan officer or settlement attorney, but you’ll want to make sure they got there!)
- Proof of Title Insurance, which protects the lender against any unknown claims against the property you’re purchasing. (Again, this might be faxed to your Closing Agent in advance. But you want to make sure.)
- Your personal checkbook, so that any minor bills and balances due between parties can easily be paid at the closing, thus avoiding any unnecessary delays.
- Your driver’s license or some other government-issued photo ID, because your attorney or Closing Agent is required to make a copy.
If your particular situation requires anything else, we’ll be sure to let you know well in advance!
Moving Checklist
Two months before you move…
- Get cost estimates from at least two moving or truck rental company companies.
- If there are things you want done to your new home before or soon after you move into it, now is the time to contact painters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc.
- Find out what schools your children will attend, and then arrange to transfer school records. Talk to teachers and counselors at the new school, especially if your children have any special needs.
- Ask your health plan provider to refer local physicians and clinics. Make arrangements and sign forms to have current medical providers forward your family medical records.
One month before you move…
- Complete change-of-address cards at your local post office.
- Schedule disconnection of electric, cable, telephone, etc. at your old home for the day after you leave, and connection at your new one for the day before you arrive. If you have deposits with these utilities, request your refunds now.
- If you’re moving yourself, reserve a rental truck and start collecting packing materials. If you’re hiring a mover, book it now.
- Start packing things now that you won’t be using again in your old home. Start thinking about how you’ll transport pets or plants, and make any special arrangements for them that might be necessary.
- Check with your insurance company to make sure your possessions are covered during transit.
- Dispose of things that cannot be moved, such as flammable liquids.
- Make child care arrangements for moving day.
Two weeks before you move…
- Cancel newspaper deliveries.
- Transfer your medical prescriptions.
- Put together a file folder of information for the new owner of your old home, especially “quirks.”
- Send change-of-address cards or emails to friends, relatives, business acquaintances, and everyone else who might need to contact you.
- Pick up laundry and dry cleaning. Pack a suitcase of clothing to wear during the first couple of days before you’re totally unpacked and reasonably organized.
- Pack “first access” boxes of items that you’ll need as soon as you get to your new home, such as checkbooks, credit cards, Rolodex, toiletries, tools, dinnerware, utensils, pots & pans, alarm clock, first aid items, etc. Mark these “Load last” so that they will be first off the truck. Or carry them in the car with you.
One day before you move…
- Transfer your bank accounts. Close & empty your safe deposit box.
- Disconnect and prepare major appliances for the move. Or if you’re leaving them for the new owner, turn off the refrigerator and freezer and prop open their doors.
- Dismantle beds and other large furniture.
On moving day…
- Make sure there will be someone at your old house to give directions when the movers get there to pick up your belongings, and someone at the new house to do the same when they arrive to deliver them.
- Make a record of your electrical and water meter readings.
- Carefully read the bill of lading and inventory the mover presents before you sign it, and be careful not to lose any of this paperwork in the excitement of the move.
Upon arrival…
- On an interstate move, be prepared to pay the driver before anything is unloaded. This will likely need to be done with a Certified Check or traveler’s check.
- Supervise unloading and unpacking. Check your belongings carefully and note any damaged or missing items on the inventory paperwork.
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