House hunting has been a roller coaster ride, but you have finally found your dream home, congratulations! 

As a real estate expert in the Columbus, Ohio area, I am often asked what happens during the time in-between finding a house and closing on the house.  The answer is two-fold.  The first part involves preparing to leave your current residence, and the second part involves preparations to begin your new life in the new house. 

Part 1 – Saying Goodbye to Your Current Residence

Pack up your belongings
This is a good time to purge unwanted and unused items.  Think of this move as a fresh start.  If you won’t use an item in the next year, sell or donate it.  Consider having a garage or yard sale.

Cancel Utilities
Notify the utility companies of your move.  In some cases the utilities may be transferred from your name to the new owners, rather than having the service shut off.  Coordinate this with your real estate agent.  Also notify other home delivery services such as the local newspaper of your moving date.

Change of Address
Notify the post office of your change of address.  Have your mail forwarded to the new address.  Send out change of address cards or notices to friends and family.  Contact credit card companies and other business relationships to update your information on file with the new address.

Moving Company
If you will be using the services of a moving company set up the specifics of the move.  Will the moving company be packing your possessions as well as moving them?  If not, ask for a guide to packing.  Most moving companies offer tips on efficient and safe packing.

Part 2 – Getting Ready to Move In

Make Move-In Day Easier
Mark each box to be moved with the room it will be moved to in the new house.  Many new homeowners in the Columbus and Central Ohio area use the numbering system.  What this means is a big number is put on the door of each room (such as bedroom #1, #2, etc.) and every box to go in that room has that number marked on it.  You can code the boxes as well with simple letters, such as “K” for kitchen, or “LV” for living room.  This will make the move in day run much smoother.

Register In the Neighborhood
If you have school-age children, register them in the new school district.  Also contact the local newspaper and have home delivery arranged to start after the closing date. 

Establish Utility Service
Contact the utility companies and arrange to have service started for the day of closing.  If seasonal services are required, contact those services as well so when the time comes, they have your information associated with the property.  Seasonal services can include anything from septic maintenance and lawn care, to pool opening and closing services.  Your real estate professional should supply you with the names of the companies the sellers used.

With everything in place the last piece of action required is gathering the funds for closing.  This may include cash or certified checks.  Your real estate attorney will inform you a few days before closing of the exact amounts needed for each check.  Each closing is unique.  Be prepared to show proof of insurance or other documents that will be required.  Ask your real estate professional for specific items a few days prior to closing. 

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Greater Columbus, Ohio real estate. For complete information about the local real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to “Everything Real Estate in the Buckeye State” at

www.scarletnrayhomes.com . Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer them! Call me on my cell at 614-668-4400 or email me at jandrews@columbus.rr.com . I’m the Doctor Who Loves House Calls!

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 Tags: Before Closing, Closing Advice, Jeannie Andrews, call utilitiy companies, Columbus, Ohio, real estate

Article's Author

Jeannie Andrews
RE/MAX Achievers
Lewis Center, OH

Contact Jeannie Andrews