Within about a week of the closing date we will schedule an appointment with the escrow company to go in and sign all of the closing documents. This date is almost always in advance of the closing date itself by a few days. Usually the last thing we’re waiting on is getting the loan documents from the lender, which is why it’s so important to return requested paperwork to the lender as quickly as practical.
At the closing appointment you’ll want to bring a picture ID to sign the escrow officer’s notary log and also have brought in a cashier’s check or wired money for the funds you need to provide for the purchase. The escrow officer will walk you through all of the paperwork that’s needed to sign and with a loan it’s quite extensive. If you’re someone who wants to read everything, it’s best to try and get most of the documents in advance as a thorough reading would take hours. The closing process itself doesn’t take very long usually and should be a happy time as it’s nearly the culmination of the purchase journey.
You can close on the home without being in town, as long as there’s some advance notice to prepare for that scenario. If you know you’re not going to be in town around the closing we can arrange for the documents to be signed earlier than usual or sent via mail out of state if you’re buying a seasonal home for instance. This is performed with relative frequency, but let us know as soon as possible as it does add at least 4-5 days to the closing timeline. We’ll communicate the particulars to the escrow company and they’ll be able to make the necessary arrangements and the lender will also need to be kept in the loop as they’ll have to provide their documentation earlier than normal too.
Next: Get the keys
- Step 1: Find a REALTOR®
- Step 2: Get pre-approved for a mortgage (only applies to buyers who are not paying with cash)
- Step 3: Start your home search online
- Step 4: Time for showings
- Step 5: Make an offer
- Step 6: I have an accepted contract. Now what?
- Step 7: Schedule the home inspections
- Step 8: Drop off your earnest money check
- Step 9: Put the closing on your calendar
- Step 10: What is the inspection period?
- Step 11: Don’t spend extra money (only applies to buyers who are getting a loan)
- Step 12: Provide documents to your loan officer (only applies to buyers who are getting a loan)
- Step 13: Read the title commitment
- Step 14: Review the HOA documents (only applies to buyers who are purchasing homes with HOAs)
- Step 15: Fill out and return your buyer’s packet
- Step 16: Tips for attending the home inspection
- Step 17: Read the inspection reports
- Step 18: Make repair requests
- Step 19: The appraisal (only applies to buyers who are getting a loan)
- Step 20: Hire movers and start packing
- Step 21: Hook up your utilities
- Step 22: Set up homeowner’s insurance
- Step 23: Get your down payment ready
- Step 24: Secure your new home
- Step 25: Do you want a home warranty?
- Step 26: Make your down payment
- Step 27: Attend the walkthrough
- Step 28: Attend the signing
- Step 29: Get the keys
- Step 30: Wrapping things up
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