STEP 35 – TO SELLING YOUR HOME – SCHEDULE YOUR UTILITIES TO END

Andi • June 14, 2023

This is one of those annoying tasks that no one thinks about doing ahead of time, but is crucial, especially if you want the TV and internet working the day you move in. Call now to hook up your utilities! Make sure to get the gas/electric/propane changed into your name. You’ll also want to call your TV and internet provider ASAP as most likely; you’ll need to set up an appointment with them to come out and install service and it can take weeks to get the appointment.

If you’re buying a single-family house you’ll also need to arrange for the water and trash bills to be changed into your name. Have all of the utilities start on the day of closing.

MOST COMMON UTILITIES are listed below. DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR CURRENT UTILITIES, TRANSFER THEM INTO THE NEW OWNER’S NAME.

City of Bellingham Water/Sewer – they won’t change the ownership until they get the new owner’s information from the Title Company (they don’t want the Buyer or Seller to call).
City of Ferndale Water/Sewer – they won’t change the ownership until the title company sends them the new owner’s information. No need to call if you are the Buyer, but they would like to get a forwarding address for the Seller.
City of Blaine Water/Sewer – they won’t change the ownership until they get the new owner’s information from the Title Company – but it never hurts to call 7 days after closing to make sure everything is okay.  
Cascade Natural Gas – Buyer and Seller should both call. They won’t wait very long to turn it off if the buyer does not call. They will switch when the Buyer calls even if the Seller does not.

Questions? Contact us at andi@andidyer(dot)com or 360-734-6479

This content is not the product of the National Association of REALTORS®, and may not reflect NAR’s viewpoint or position on these topics and NAR does not verify the accuracy of the content.

Copyright © 2022 Andi Dyer and Sterling Real Estate Group.  All rights reserved.

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