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You signed.
You wired your funds.
You took the photo holding the pen.
So:
Can you have the keys now?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the final first-time-buyer surprises.
Signing documents and the transaction actually being closed are not necessarily the same moment.
WHAT STILL HAS TO HAPPEN?
Depending on the transaction:
- Buyer signs
- Seller signs
- Lender completes funding
- Escrow/title confirms closing conditions
- Required documents are recorded
- Transaction closes
- Possession occurs according to the purchase agreement
Lisa will tell you when you officially have the green light.
DO NOT BREAK INTO YOUR OWN FUTURE HOUSE
This sounds ridiculous.
But excitement makes people do weird things.
Do not move furniture into the garage because:
“We signed already.”
Wait until possession is yours under the agreement.
WHAT IF THE SELLER STAYS AFTER CLOSING?
Some transactions include an agreed post-closing occupancy or rent-back arrangement.
In that case, ownership and physical possession may not transfer at the same time.
The written agreement controls.
SHOULD I SCHEDULE MOVERS FOR THE EXACT CLOSING MINUTE?
Build some flexibility.
Closing delays happen.
- Funding issue
- Document issue
- Recording timing
A small delay can become expensive if your moving crew is already charging by the hour outside the property.
THE FIRST THING TO DO WITH THE KEYS
Celebrate.
Then:
- Consider rekeying locks
- Change garage codes
- Update alarm/security access
- Confirm utilities
- Set up HOA access
- Find the water shutoff
- Find the electrical panel
- Learn your HVAC filters
Lisa's new homeowners guide handles the rest, and utility setup gets the services turned on.
AND KEEP LISA'S NUMBER
The house becomes yours.
Lisa does not disappear.
Need a landscaper?
Electrician?
Mover?
Lender?
Real-estate question?
Thinking about remodeling and wondering whether it might affect future resale?
Call.
That's exactly what Lisa means by:
Your Friend in the Industry.
A referral-based business works only if clients still want to call you after the commission check is gone.
Lisa wants to be that person.
