West Virginia Real Estate: Closing and Beyond

What happens after you close on your house? century21countryroadsrealty.com continues to provide guidance after the sale is completed.

Home Inspections

Congratulations! You’ve made an offer, and reviewed all the documents the seller has provided regarding the condition of the home. But, one important step before you finalize your real estate offer could help you avoid costly home buying mistakes. Hire a professional home inspector to give the house a standard inspection that includes:

• Room-by-room review
• Exterior home components
• Electrical systems
• Foundation and structural components – both interior and exterior
• Heating/air conditioning systems
• Plumbing systems
• Attic/basement/crawl spaces

Once you have arranged for a home inspection, plan to accompany the inspector for the entire procedure. You have the right to be there, and leading home inspection companies will encourage your presence. It helps you to better understand the findings in the report and will reduce post-closing surprises. Don’t forget your list of questions and items of concern.

A thorough home inspection covers more than 1,000 items, everything from foundation to roof, and takes two to three hours depending on the size and age of the property. The report should reflect the condition of about 400 items. A typical inspection can range from $300-$600

Some common items a home inspection could uncover are:

• Maintenance problems such as rotting decks, paint chips, water damaged ceilings, etc.
• Electrical problems (even faulty fuses can lead to bigger difficulties in the future)
• Drainage problems, which could include water intrusions below the home
• Roof leaks and defects from aging
• Poor ventilation, especially in an attic; this is the time to assure that all vents are clean and working properly
• Excess air leakage due to poor weather stripping and subpar caulking around fixtures
• Failed window seals, which are routinely found with dual pane windows
• Environmental contamination caused by asbestos, mold, formaldehyde, lead paint, radon, soil contamination and/or water contamination
• Faulty lines in water heaters, overflow piping and/or hazardous flue conditions

TIP: Structural damage caused by water seepage into the foundation, floor joists, and door headers should be discovered at the source, and can be easily identified with a home inspection.

Homeowners’ Insurance

Protecting your new home with insurance is a must. How well you do that depends on the details of your policy. And while you are not required by law to have homeowners’ insurance, mortgage lenders require that you do.

A standard policy will suffice in most instances. It protects against several natural disasters and catastrophic events. However, it will not guard against earthquakes, floods, war and nuclear accidents. The policy can be expanded to include these disasters as well as coverage for such things as workers’ compensation. In fact, the lender may require that you purchase flood or earthquake insurance if the house is in a flood zone or a region susceptible to earthquakes.

Replacement-Cost Endorsement

You can also cover the depreciated value of personal property, such as televisions and furniture, by purchasing a replacement-cost endorsement. This is an extension of coverage that can enable you to replace the item with one of comparable material and quality.

Home Buying Process – Timeline and Paperwork

Closing can also be referred to as settlement or escrow. Your CENTURY 21® Agent will guide you through the closing process, since local/state laws vary.

In general, ownership of the home is officially transferred from the seller at the closing meeting. Most of the people involved with the purchase of your home will attend your loan closing.

In advance, a title company is usually hired to conduct a search for any recorded documents that affect the deed to the property. Examples include easements, liens, tax assessments, covenants, conditions and restrictions, and homeowner association bylaws. The buyer and lender must approve the preliminary title report prior to closing.

Once the conditions of sale have been met and the preliminary title report has been approved, all parties will agree to sign closing documents. The preliminary title report then becomes the final title report, on which any applicable title insurance is based.

If everyone agrees that the papers are in order, the buyer submits payment to cover the closing. If the lender will be paying your annual property taxes and homeowners’ insurance for you, a new escrow account (or reserve) is established at this point.

Finally (and here’s the best part) you receive the keys to your new home!

TIP: After the documents have been signed, notarized copies will be forwarded to the lender, funds will be released, and the sale will be recorded at the local recorder’s office. This legal transfer of the property may take a few days. It is at the point of deed recordation that you become the official owner of the home.

Home Moving Checklist

6 to 8 weeks prior:

• Purchase or rent moving supplies: tape, markers, scissors, pocketknife, newspaper, blankets, moving pads, plastic storage bins, rope and a hand truck. Free boxes can usually be obtained at a local supermarket, but consider purchasing wardrobe boxes for clothes.
• Have a garage sale to clear out unwanted items and plan accordingly. Consider donating unwanted items.
• Keep a detailed record of all moving expenses. Your costs (and donations) may be tax deductible depending on the reasons for your move.

2 weeks prior:

• Hire a reputable mover or rent a moving truck. Be sure to get referrals or references, check with the Better Business Bureau, get estimates and purchase moving insurance.
• Two weeks before moving day, contact your telephone, electric, gas, cable/satellite, refuse and water companies to set a specific date when service will be discontinued. Contact utilities companies in your new town about service start dates, including Internet and telephone services.
• Notify healthcare professionals (doctors, dentists, veterinarians) of your move and ask for referrals and record transfers.
• Register children for school and ask for school records to be transferred.
• Notify lawn service, cleaning and security companies when service should be terminated.
• Advise the post office, publications and correspondents of change of address and date of move.
• Check your homeowners’ insurance and make arrangements for new coverage.

Moving day:

• Have tools handy for breaking down beds and appliances.
• Give every room a final once over. Don’t forget to check the basement, yards, attic, garage and closets.
• Have the final payment for the movers and money for a tip.
• Don’t forget to check in with your local CENTURY 21® Agent – he or she may be able to provide useful local advice and/or referrals.

TIP: Move valuables (jewelry, legal documents, family photos and collections) yourself – don’t send them with the moving company. Make sure you have a complete home inventory of all your possessions.