Buyer's edition
Buyer's Moving Checklist
From pre-approval to your first 30 days at home. Eight stages, from getting ready to buy through settling in.
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Moving checklists for buyers and sellers
Step-by-step guides from first conversation to first 30 days at home. Read them online, check items off as you go, or download the PDF to keep.
Seller's edition
Seller's Moving Checklist
From your first conversation about selling to your last box out the door. Eight stages, from preparing to sell through the move.
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Buyer's checklist
Get ready to buy (8+ weeks out)
- Get pre-approved: know your real budget before you shop (not just pre-qualified)
- Define your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and dealbreakers
- Research neighborhoods, school districts, and commute times
- Review HOA rules, fees, and any rental or fence restrictions for communities you like
- Look up property tax rates and typical utility costs for the areas you're considering
- Start touring homes and attending open houses
- Build your cash-to-close fund: closing costs typically run 2-4% of the purchase price, plus earnest money and moving costs
- Connect with a Realtor you trust and sign a buyer representation agreement
Under contract (30-45 days before closing)
- Deliver your earnest money by the deadline in your contract
- Schedule a professional home inspection (consider radon, sewer scope, and termite/WDO inspections)
- Review inspection results and negotiate repairs or credits within your due diligence period
- Secure homeowner's insurance and send proof of coverage to your lender
- Stay in close contact with your lender: respond to every request within 24 hours
- Confirm the appraisal is ordered (your lender handles this) and your title company is engaged
- Order a home warranty if you want one
- Begin planning any renovations or improvements for after closing
Plan your move (4-6 weeks before)
- Get moving quotes from at least 3 licensed companies (or reserve a truck); book early for month-end dates
- Sort and declutter: don't pay to move what you don't need
- Begin packing non-essentials: books, decor, seasonal items
- Collect boxes, packing tape, and supplies
- Notify your landlord if you're renting (check your lease for notice terms)
- Create a moving budget and track expenses
Lock in the details (2-4 weeks before)
- Confirm your moving company or truck reservation in writing
- Set up mail forwarding with USPS
- Schedule utilities at your new address: electric, gas, water, trash, internet
- Update your address with your bank, insurance providers, and employer
- Pack room by room: label every box by room and contents
- Arrange childcare or pet care for moving day
- Transfer or cancel subscriptions and memberships
- Review your Closing Disclosure as soon as your lender sends it (you should receive it at least 3 business days before closing). Compare it to your Loan Estimate and ask questions.
Final week (7 days before closing)
- Confirm closing date, time, and location with your Realtor and title company
- Schedule your final walkthrough of the new home
- Verify wire instructions by phone using a number you already trust. Never rely on emailed wire instructions: wire fraud is real.
- Confirm exactly how much you need to bring or wire for closing
- Pack a "first night" box: toiletries, chargers, sheets, snacks, medications, basic tools
- Defrost the freezer and clean out the fridge
- Disassemble large furniture as needed
- Back up important files and charge all devices
Closing day (The big one)
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID
- Bring certified funds (cashier's check) or confirm your wire has been received
- Review and sign all closing documents carefully: ask about anything unclear
- Receive your keys, garage openers, and any codes or remotes
- Confirm utilities are active at your new home
- Do a final sweep of your old place before handing it over
Moving day (Day of)
- Walk through the new home before unloading and test all major systems: HVAC, plumbing, appliances
- Supervise the movers or direct helpers to the right rooms
- Check inventory as items come off the truck and note any damage right away
- Set up essential rooms first: beds, bathroom, kitchen
Settle in (First 30 days)
- Change all locks and update garage codes, security codes, and smart-home passwords
- Locate the main water shutoff, electrical panel, and gas valve
- Update your address: DMV, voter registration, subscriptions, IRS
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries
- Change HVAC filters and note the service schedule
- Register children at their new school
- Find local services: doctor, dentist, vet, pharmacy
- Keep your closing documents and home inspection report in one safe place
- Schedule any planned renovations or improvements
- Introduce yourself at the HOA office or to neighbors (if applicable)
- Leave a review for your Realtor: it truly means the world!
Seller's checklist
Prepare to sell (8+ weeks before listing)
- Interview and choose your Realtor and review the listing agreement, including commission, marketing plan, and term
- Request a mortgage payoff estimate from your lender so you know what you owe
- Review comparable sales and an estimated net sheet: know what you'll actually walk away with
- Schedule a pre-listing home inspection to catch surprises before buyers do
- Identify repairs and improvements worth making (ask me which ones pay off in your market)
- Start decluttering: donate, sell, or discard
- Gather key documents: deed, survey, HOA docs, warranties, permits, and receipts for improvements
- Decide on your timeline and your next move (buy, rent, relocate) so closing dates line up
Get market ready (6-8 weeks before listing)
- Complete necessary repairs and cosmetic touch-ups (fresh neutral paint goes a long way)
- Deep clean the entire home: consider professional cleaning, including windows and carpets
- Consider professional staging or a staging consultation
- Boost curb appeal: landscaping, power wash, fresh mulch, paint or replace the front door
- Begin packing non-essential and seasonal items
- Rent a storage unit if needed to reduce clutter
- Order a termite/WDO inspection: commonly requested by buyers and lenders in Tennessee
- Check for open permits, liens, or unpaid HOA dues that could slow down closing
Plan the launch (4-6 weeks before listing)
- Schedule professional photography, video, and marketing materials
- Set your listing price with your Realtor based on current market data
- Complete your seller disclosures honestly and completely: Tennessee's residential property condition disclosure (or exemption), and lead-based paint disclosure for homes built before 1978
- Establish your showing schedule and lockbox access
- Create a home features sheet and maintenance binder for the buyer
- Get quotes from at least 3 licensed moving companies: book early for month-end dates
Listing & offers (Listing week through offers)
- Keep the home show-ready at all times: beds made, counters clear, lights on
- Secure valuables, medications, and important papers during showings
- Have a plan for pets during showings
- Review showing feedback with me regularly and adjust strategy if needed
- Compare offers on more than price: financing type, earnest money, contingencies, appraisal terms, and closing date
- Negotiate terms, repairs, and closing date with your Realtor's guidance
- Accept an offer and go under contract
Under contract (30-45 days before closing)
- Confirm the earnest money has been delivered to the title company
- Accommodate the buyer's home inspection and any re-inspections
- Review repair requests with me and negotiate within the due diligence period
- Provide appraiser access when requested
- Request your HOA payoff or resale documents, if applicable
- Begin packing in earnest: room by room, label everything
- Confirm your closing date, time, and location
- Schedule utility transfers for closing day. Keep services on through the buyer's final walkthrough.
- Arrange final move-out cleaning (professional or DIY)
- Pause lawn care, pest control, and other recurring services around closing
Final week (7 days before closing)
- Finish packing all remaining items
- Confirm moving company or truck rental details in writing
- Gather all keys, garage remotes, mailbox keys, and gate codes
- Leave appliance manuals, warranties, and paint colors for the buyer
- Complete any agreed repairs and keep the receipts to share
- Remove everything that isn't staying with the home, and leave it broom-clean
- Do a personal walkthrough: check every closet, attic, and garage
- Verify wire instructions by phone using a number you already trust if you're receiving proceeds by wire. Never rely on emailed instructions: wire fraud is real.
- Review your settlement statement for accuracy and prepare a file of closing documents to bring
Closing day (The big one)
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID
- Sign closing documents at the title company: ask about anything unclear
- Hand over all keys and access devices
- Confirm wire or check receipt for your proceeds
- Take a final photo of your home: you earned this moment
After the move (First 30 days)
- Update your address with USPS, banks, insurance providers, DMV, and your employer
- File a change of address with the IRS (Form 8822) and update voter registration
- Cancel your homeowner's insurance only after closing is confirmed: never before
- Cancel any remaining home services at the old address
- Watch for your escrow refund from your old mortgage servicer
- Keep your settlement statement and improvement records: talk with a tax professional about capital gains and the home-sale exclusion
- Leave a review for your Realtor: it truly means the world!
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