The Last Checklist Before You Get the Keys to Your New Home

🏡 The Last Checklist Before You Get the Keys to Your New Home

🧭 Where You Are in the Process

Once your offer is accepted, the job is not “done.” This is the stretch where the paperwork becomes final, the money gets moved, and the home needs to match what you agreed to buy.

In most Canadian purchases, your lawyer (or notary) coordinates the closing. Your lender sends the mortgage funds to them, you provide the rest (down payment and closing costs), and then the title gets registered into your name. If any piece is late or incorrect, keys can be delayed.

A simple way to think about this stage is: confirm the home, confirm the numbers, and keep your financing stable.

🔍 Do a Walk-Through With a Purpose

The final walk-through is your chance to confirm the home is in the condition you expected. If repairs were part of the deal, this is where you confirm they were actually completed.

Here is what to do during the walk-through:

• Bring your contract details and any repair notes

• Test the basics: lights, taps, toilets, appliances included in the sale

• Look for new damage that was not there before

• Confirm included items are still there (like window coverings or a shed, if they were part of the deal)

• Take quick photos or video, just in case something needs to be documented

If something is wrong, do not assume it will “get sorted later.” This is when your Realtor can raise it quickly and push for a solution before possession.

📌 Pro Tip: If you can, time the walk-through close to possession, but not so late that there is no time to respond if an issue pops up.

🧾 Know Your Real Closing Numbers

A lot of buyers think the closing amount is just the down payment. In reality, there is usually a final statement that shows adjustments and closing costs.

This final statement can include things like:

• Property taxes split to the possession date

• Condo fees split to the possession date (if it applies)

• Deposits already paid (like your offer deposit)

• Legal fees and disbursements

• Title insurance (common in many purchases)

The goal is simple: you want to know what you owe before closing week. If you see a number that surprises you, you want enough time to ask questions and fix errors.

✅ Keep Your Financing Steady Until Funding

Even after you are approved, your lender can still re-check things before the mortgage funds are sent. The safest move is to keep your situation as boring as possible until you have keys.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Do not take on new debt (car loans, big credit card balances, financing furniture)

• Do not change jobs unless you have confirmed it will not affect your mortgage

• Do not miss bill payments

• Do not move large chunks of money between accounts without a clear reason and paper trail

If you are planning any changes, tell your mortgage broker or lender first. A quick conversation now can prevent a stressful surprise later.

💰 Get Your Funds Ready the Safe Way

Closing often involves sending a large amount of money. That means you want a clean plan that is safe and simple.

A few smart habits:

• Ask your lawyer’s office exactly how they accept funds and the deadline

• Confirm instructions using a trusted phone number, not only email

• Keep your money accessible, so it is not stuck in an account with transfer limits

• Avoid last minute “creative” transfers that slow things down

If you are moving money from investments or a gift from family, start early. Those steps can take longer than people expect.

🏷️ Understand Registration and Land Title Fees

In Saskatchewan, part of your closing costs can include land title registration fees through ISC (Information Services Corporation). This matters because it impacts the total amount you need to have ready.

There are typically two common registration items:

• A title transfer registration fee

• A mortgage registration fee (if you have a mortgage)

You do not need to memorize the fee table. You just need to know that these fees are normal, and they show up as part of the closing work your lawyer handles. The best move is to review the estimated closing costs early so the final number does not catch you off guard.

🛡️ Insurance and Possession Details

Your lender will usually require home insurance to be in place for closing day. Even if you are buying without a mortgage, you still want coverage starting the day you take possession, because that is when the home becomes your responsibility.

Before possession day, make sure you have answers to:

• When and where keys will be released

• How you will receive garage remotes, mailbox keys, and door codes (if any)

• When utilities should be moved into your name

• What time you can actually move in (possession time is not always “first thing in the morning”)

Getting these details nailed down removes a lot of moving-day stress.

📌 Pro Tip: When you book utilities, use your possession date and possession time, not your closing date. That helps avoid gaps in service.

🎉 Final Thoughts

The last steps before getting your keys are mostly about avoiding surprises. A solid walk-through, a clear understanding of your closing numbers, and steady financing can turn closing week into something that feels calm instead of chaotic.

If you are unsure about what to watch for in the walk-through, how the final closing statement works, or what you should be doing in the final week, I’d be happy to help.

📞 Call or text me at (639) 295-4696
📧 tanner@twrealestate.ca
🌐 twrealestate.ca

If you want a clean, step-by-step plan to get you to possession day with fewer surprises, I can guide you through it.