Step 21: Hook up your utilities

Attached at the bottom of this page is the utility company information & other helpful phone numbers for you to set up the transfer of service for the closing date. The MLS listing and/or the Seller Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) is often a good place to locate exactly which providers service this particular home.

Keep in mind that some Sellers will be very prompt in calling to shut off service to the home on the day of closing, so definitely make arrangements for the transfer so service doesn’t get shut off and then have to be restarted. In those cases it can take some companies 48 hours or more to get out to the property to restart service.

The best practice as a Buyer is to schedule the transfer of utilities at least a week in advance for the date of closing, preferably late in the afternoon if possible. Sometimes a utility company, most often natural gas, may need to come inside so that may not be practical until after the closing. Our advice to our Sellers is to not schedule utilities to be shut off until at least a day or two beyond closing in case there is some unexpected delay. At times we see Buyers and Sellers get hung up on a day or two of utility costs when in the scheme of the purchase the dollar amounts are fairly insignificant. Again, any delays can make this transfer difficult to schedule.

Xfinity by Comcast: Long Realty Home Advantage members receive special offers and discounts when signing up with Xfinity by Comcast, depending on which products are purchased. Members will receive a free installation with purchase of four products (TV, Internet, Phone & Home Security). With the purchase of the highest TV “Premier” package (up to 260 Digital Channels, Showtime, HBO, Starz, 100,000+ On Demand TV & Movies with the X1 Platform) with 2 or 3 other products, receive a $200 Visa Gift Card! Orders must be placed with our personal representative, Jimmy Jungerman, to receive these special offers. Call Jimmy Jungerman at 360-9349 for further details or to place your order.

Click here for a list of helpful phone numbers in Pima County, including the utility companies.

Next: Set up homeowner’s insurance