Reminders For Buyers

• Order fire insurance for your new home. You should begin shopping for insurance right after escrow is opened. Actual policy information should be sent to your escrow officer at least 5 to 10 days before the scheduled close of escrow. 
• Cancel fire insurance on your present residence only after closing escrow. Request a refund of the unused portion to be sent to your new address.

• Consult with your accountant and/or attorney regarding the best way in which to take title to your new home. This is very important and should be done well in advance of the close of escrow.

• Notify the post office of your change of address. You can do so here.
• Exchange information with the buyer/seller about how to handle your mail.

• Schedule movers.

• Consider changing your locks or re-keying locks in your new home.

• Expect to receive your grant deed and title insurance policy within 6 to 8 weeks after closing of escrow. Be sure to mail back the postcard included with your deed to apply for the homeowner’s exemption. 

Notify utilities and service providers to place service in your name in your new home and to cancel service in your old home. Both these changes should be scheduled for the day of the close of escrow, or the first day of occupancy. DO NOT HAVE THE SERVICES SHUT OFF! A partial list of local utility providers is below.

UTILITIES
PG&E | 1.800.743.5000
EBMUD | 1.866.403.2683

CABLE, PHONE & INTERNET
Comcast | Cable: 1.800.945.2288 | Internet: 1.888.262.6300
AT&T | 1.800.310.2355 

GARBAGE
Waste Management (Alameda County) | 510.613.8710 
Bay View Refuse (Contra Costa County) | 510.237.4614
Republic Services (West Contra Costa) | 510.262.1610
Solid Waste Management (Berkeley) 510.981.7270 
East Bay Sanitary (El Cerrito) | 510.237.4321
Bay View Refuse (Kensington) | 510.237.4614 

RECYCLING
Household Hazardous Waste (West Contra Costa) | 1.888.412.9277 
Recycle - Computers & Electronics (Alameda County) | 510.528.4052 
Recycling & Environmental Resource Center (El Cerrito) | 510.215.4350 
Household Hazardous Waste (Alameda County) | 510.891.6550

GREEN BUSINESS REMODELING & BUILDING RESOURCES
Built It Green
National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
The ReUse People