Another door-open event before closing is home appraisal. Lender send an appraiser to check on the house to decide the home value for loan decision.
How can a homeowner prepare for a home appraisal?
— make sure the gas, water, and electricity (utilities) are turned on and functional.
— install at least one smoke detector on each floor, and one outside each bedroom area.
— place at least one Carbon Monoxide Alarm outside all bedroom areas (fhallways).
— California required Dual Earthquake Straps on Water Heater Tanks (unless tankless). One strap around the top 1/3 of the tank and one strap around the bottom 1/3 of the tank.
After buyer remove appraisal contingency, and then loan contingency, all parties work hard for the closing.
Buyers also have a chance for a final walkthrough of the house before closing. The escrow company distributes fund to all parties. The new ownership is recorded, and with that, a new journey starts…..