When closing on your new home, don't forget:
Utilities: If you are purchasing the home of a "For Sale by Owner", it is important that you coordinate the change over of utilities with the seller. The seller can request that they no longer be billed after a certain date, but you as the new property owner have to make arrangements for the bills to be placed in your name. If you have been working with a real estate company, check with your realtor to see who is going to coordinate this.
Water: Like taxes, city water services are billed directly to the property. Final water bills/readings are often settled at closing, and the new owner usually doesn't need to do anything about this. However, some municipalities will only issue a bill to the current resident. In this case, send the bill to the title company that holds the water escrow and they will prorate and disburse the funds accordingly.
Mail Service: Notify the Post Office and all correspondents of your change of address. The Post Office will provide a free address change kit to assist you. Or, you can visit the Post Office website by clicking here to complete the change of address request online.
Door Locks: We recommend new owners change the locks on all outside doors. It may be more cost effective to bring the locks to your local locksmith and have the tumblers changed and re-keyed rather than purchase all new lock sets.
Driver's License/State ID Card: You will need to change the address on your driver's license or state ID card within a certain time frame according to the state you reside in. You can do this by visiting the Secretary of State or Department of Motor Vehicle. Some states even have the necessary documents online that you can print out and mail in rather than visiting the nearest office. If you are a registered voter, you will also need to make sure that you update your voter registration with your new address.
Keys: Upon vacating the property, the seller(s) will surrender the keys to their real estate agent or the title company. The keys will be turned over to you at the time of closing.
