What to give the buyer at closing when you sell your house yourself
If you're a for-sale-by-owner seller, good news: here's teh checklist you need for closing handover. Gather it a week before closing, so closing day is just handing a folder across.
Your purchase contract and your closing agent or attorney decide what must change hands and when. Check your contract first. Everything below is what's usual and useful on top of that.
Things to hand over
| What | Notes |
|---|---|
| Keys | Every door, the mailbox, the garage side door, sheds, windows with locks. Tag each one. |
| Garage door remotes and keypad code | Remotes, and the code for the keypad. |
| Smart devices | Thermostat, doorbell, locks, and cameras. Remove your account so the buyer can add theirs. |
| Alarm and gate codes | Write them down and give them in person or in writing. Change them first if you can. |
| Appliance manuals | For every appliance that stays. Keep a digital copy if you can. |
| Warranty papers | Certificates, registration numbers and transfer paperwork. |
| Home records | The summary of big items, their ages and the work done, with receipts behind it. |
| Pros and contacts | The roofer, plumber, electrician and HVAC company you trust, with phone numbers. |
| Utility info | Company names, account holders, and when your service ends. |
| Spare parts | Extra paint, tiles, filters, light bulbs, fridge water filters. |
Codes and passwords
Don't put codes in your listing or in anything you send to many people. Hand them to the buyer at closing, in person or in a sealed note, and change your own copies afterward. Leave out your Wi-Fi password unless the buyer asks.
Warranties
A warranty usually doesn't move by itself. Read its terms, and ask the issuer what's needed. Our page on how to transfer a home product warranty walks through it.
Records
This is the part buyers value most and sellers forget. Give a short summary and the proof behind it. See what records buyers want and the home records template.
Utilities and services
- Tell each utility the date you're leaving, and give the buyer the company names so they can open accounts.
- Cancel or move trash pickup, lawn service, pest control and alarm monitoring.
- Tell the buyer which services you're ending and which they can keep.
Day-of habits
- Do a last walk-through together if the buyer wants one.
- Put everything in one box or folder, labeled.
- Write down what you handed over, and the date. Ask the buyer to initial it if you like.
- Take your own copy of the records. You may need them later.
After closing
Buyers will have questions. Give them your email and say you're glad to answer for a while. Forward mail that arrives for you, and answer any question about what you handed over.