Sold Your Home? Don’t Forget to Check These Tasks Off Your To-Do List

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If you’ve sold your home, here’s how to ensure you cut ties with your old address. 

If you are selling a home, there’s a lot of tasks you’re going to have to take care of.

Obviously, you will need to arrange for a move, which can be an expensive proposition that causes your checking account to take a hit. You’ll also have to pay off your mortgage loan and, of course, find a new place to live so you and your family are ready for the big day when your home closes.

Among all the big tasks you have to take care of, it’s easy to forget some little ones — but doing so could come back to bite you. To make sure you don’t find yourself in this situation, be sure to put these items on your to-do list.

Transferring your utilities

You’ll need to make sure you shut off your utilities at your current home so you don’t get stuck paying for the water, sewer, electric, internet, and cable for the new owners. If you know where you’ll be moving too, you’ll also want to arrange for your utilities to be turned on at your new place on the day you move in.

The last thing you want to deal with after a long move is not being able to get on the internet — or turn on a light because your electricity isn’t on yet.

Canceling your home insurance

You’ll also want to make sure you cancel your homeowners insurance on the property you are selling. You obviously don’t need to insure a structure that is no longer yours. You should be able to get a refund for the portion of the year that you won’t own the home for if you prepaid for your coverage for the entire year rather than paying monthly premiums.

Forwarding mail

Forwarding your mail is another important but often overlooked task when you move. The United States Postal Service allows you to file an official Change of Address form on its website that you can use to update your new information.

You can enter a date for when your mail should begin forwarding, which can’t be more than 30 days prior to the current date or more than three months after the current date. Once you submit your request, you will start getting mail at your address the later of seven to 10 postal business days after the effective date of your move or seven to 10 postal business days after the date you filed the request. So don’t leave this until the last minute.

Updating your address

To go along with the previous task, you’ll also want to be sure you update your address with as many accounts and service providers as possible. Updating your address ensures nothing will fall through the cracks when mail is sent. You definitely don’t want to miss a bill because it ends up getting lost in the mail.

Get a new driver’s license

FInally, you will need to get a new driver’s license with your new address on it so you have identification with your current info. In most states, you have a limited period of time to notify the DMV when you move and update your address. For example, in Virginia, you have 30 days from the time of your move. You can often complete this process online.

By taking these steps, you can make sure your move goes smoothly and you aren’t left with unnecessary bills — or without important mail.

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