What You Need To Know About The Closing

You have found a buyer, and now you are ready to move forward. However, you must first make it through closing or settlement. This is the day you sign the final papers and gets paid. This usually takes between four and six weeks once the purchase agreement has been signed. Any earnest money paid by the buyer will be kept in escrow during this period. Escrow is a term that means the money is being held in escrow until all is settled and the sale can be closed.

You can begin packing up any items that aren't in storage, but you still have to maintain the home until the deal is done and the new buyer takes possession. During this time, you will be left mostly alone. To satisfy any inspection contingency, you will need to make your home available for appraisal and inspection.

You will make arrangements to meet with the closing agent or escrow as soon as your closing date approaches. You may be able to sit down with the buyer and real estate agents in some areas of the county. You may meet in the hall or sign paperwork with the buyer days before you do. In either case, an escrow or closing officer will prepare the paperwork and register the title changes at the county. They can help you navigate the process. They act as a neutral party in the transaction and represent neither the buyer nor you.

To ensure that you have ample time to review and correct the documents, ask the closing officer for a copy.

What You Will Bring To Closing:

• If your home has been paid off, the deed

• Valid, state-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport

• If requested by the escrow agent, a certified check

• If possession of the house has been granted at closing, the keys and security codes

What You Will sign

Although you may have signed closing instructions at the time your escrow account opened, if you didn't, you can do so now. First, check that the debits and credits are correct. The escrow company will clear any liens that may be attached to the property, such as your mortgage balance and any property taxes due up until closing. It will also pay any real estate commissions or fees owed. After all that is done, the remaining amount will be paid to you in the form of either a check, wire transfer, or cash.

• HUD-1 Settlement Statement

  This accounting is prepared by the closing agent. Federal law requires that this statement be made. This form has buyer's and seller's columns. You should have received a copy of this form prior to the closing meeting. Before signing the HUD-1 form, double-check all numbers and check for clerical mistakes. You should verify everything, from the sale price to the loan balances and pro-rated taxes and utility bills. This form is required for federal income taxes.

• Certificate Title

  This is a declaration stating that you are authorized to sell the property.

• The Deed

  The instrument that transfers title is called the deed. The type of deed used depends on the state: grant deed or warranty deed. The purpose of the deed is the same. The county courthouse records the deed, which contains the legal description of the property and transfers ownership to the buyer.

• Loan Repayment

  This document lists the loan amounts due at closing.

• Mechanic's Liens

  A document may be requested to swear that no lien is possible on the property by subcontractors or other laborers for money owed.

• Bill For Sale

  This paperwork lists any personal property (the backyard barbecue or coffee table) you have agreed to sell and transfers ownership to them. Verify that all items you have agreed to sell are listed and properly priced.

• Statement On Closing Costs

  You sign this document as a declaration that you have been informed of the fees and closing costs in advance.

• Statement Of Information

  Title companies will require you to swear that you are the person you claim to be.

  Make sure you read everything and do the math again. If you discover an error or question whether you promised credit to your buyer for the item or the amount stated in the document, speak up before signing it. Even with highly-qualified professionals, mistakes can happen. It is time to highlight them.