Hire movers and start packing

Now that the second earnest money check has been dropped off, the inspection period is over, and the appraisal has been sorted out, it’s safe to hire movers and start packing.  Call now to get moving estimates and secure a mover as they often get booked up weeks in advance.  Also, if you’re moving out of a condo building check with the Property Management Company to see if you need to pay any move out fees or reserve an elevator etc. Be sure to tell the moving company what floor you’re on if you live in a condo building and whether your building has stairs vs an elevator so they block off enough time for your move.  

Remember that you have to be out of your place prior to the final walk through.  Therefore, my recommendation is to move out of your place the day before closing to be safe. If you can’t do that pack everything away in the moving truck and leave limited essentials to get you through one more night in your home.

Recommended Movers

Whichever mover you end up using, I highly recommend asking them to bring wardrobe boxes with them for all of your hanging clothes. That way you don’t have to take everything off the hangers and pack the items up. Instead, the movers will simply grab everything in your closets that is hanging, put them on the rods in the boxes and then when you get to your new home you can just grab the hangers and hang the items back up. Saves a ton of time.

Moving Supplies

Start gathering boxes and packing supplies.  Often you can find free boxes on Craigslist.  Otherwise, Uhaul, Uline, and Usedcardboardboxes are all great places to get moving supplies online.

Pets

Moving can be incredibly stressful on pets so consider having them stay with a friend or in daycare for a few days while you move and get settled into your new place.

Items to Leave

Usually anything attached to the walls such as shelving, curtain rods, curtains and curtain rods need to stay.  Everything else needs to go with you. If you aren’t sure, ask us as taking the wrong items can cause problems at the final walk through.

There will often be certain fixtures and personal property (appliances or lighting fixtures, for example) included with the property as part of the sale. If specific items are to be included or excluded, they must be clearly listed in the Agreement. Any information provided through the multiple listing service (MLS) or any items identified in the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement don't count if they are not also listed in the Agreement.

The Agreement contains a list of personal property items that are commonly included in the sale. It is important for buyers and sellers to carefully review this list to make sure that everything that should stay is included and everything that should go is excluded. Any item of personal property that isn't included in the Agreement in writing is NOT part of the transaction and does not stay with the property. If there is any confusion about the transaction, the written terms of the Agreement will decide what stays and what goes.

You could delay and pay a penalty to the buyer if you have removed an item that should have stayed, or did not remove an item that should have been removed. You also jeopardize the entire transaction by doing making a mistake.

Please refer to lines 71-90 in the Agreement of Sale as a reference for what is and is included and what is excluded as well as to any relevant addendum.

This is the Fixtures and Personal Property section of the standard PAR Agreement of Sale. See your specific contract for any changes.

“It is possible for certain items of personal property to be so integrated into the Property that they become fixtures and will be regarded as part of the Property and therefore included in a sale. Buyer and Seller are encouraged to be specific when negotiating what items will be included or excluded in this sale.

INCLUDED in this sale, unless otherwise stated, are all existing items permanently installed in or on the Property, free of liens, and other items including plumbing; heating; gas fireplace logs; radiator covers; hardwired security systems; thermostats; lighting fixtures (including chandeliers and ceiling fans); pools, spas and hot tubs (including covers and cleaning equipment); electric animal fencing systems (excluding collars); garage door openers and transmitters; mounting brackets and hardware for television and sound equipment; unpotted shrubbery, plantings and trees; smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; sump pumps; storage sheds; fences; mailboxes; wall to wall carpeting; existing window screens, storm windows and screen/storm doors; window covering hardware (including rods and brackets), shades and blinds; awnings; central vacuum system (with attachments); built-in air conditioners; built-in appliances; the range/oven; dishwashers; trash compactors; any remaining heating and cooking fuels stored on the Property at the time of settlement; and, if owned, solar panels, windmills, water treatment systems, propane tanks and satellite dishes.”