Closing On Your Home - Part 3

Closing On Your Home - Part 3

What Happens at Closing

The closing meeting is where ownership of the home is officially transferred from the seller to you. Your closing agent coordinates all of the document signing and the collection and disbursement of funds. Your main role at the closing is to review and sign the numerous documents related to the mortgage loan and to pay the closing costs.

Most of the people involved with the purchase of your new home will attend your loan closing. The closing is a formal meeting typically attended by the buyer(s) and the seller(s) (and their attorneys if they have them), both real estate sales professionals, a representative of the lender, and, of course, the closing agent.   The meeting takes about one hour and usually is held at the closing agent’s office.

The steps below explain what happens during and after the closing meeting:

1 - First, the closing agent reviews the settlement sheet with you and the seller and answers any questions. Both you and the seller sign the settlement sheet.

2 - The closing agent then asks you to sign the other loan documents, such as the mortgage note and Truth-in-Lending statement. Evidence of required insurance and inspections is also presented (if it wasn’t previously given to the lender).

3 - If everyone agrees that the papers are in order, you (and the seller) submit a certified or cashier’s check to cover the closing costs and the balance of funds due (if applicable). And, the check from the lender covering the mortgage amount is submitted to the closing agent.

4 - If the lender will be paying your annual property taxes and homeowner’s insurance for you, a new escrow account (or reserve) is established at this point.

5 - You receive the keys to your new home.

6 - After the meeting, the closing agent officially records the mortgage and deed at your local government clerk’s office or registry of deeds. This legal transfer of the property may take a few days after closing. The closing agent usually will not disburse the funds to everyone who is owed money from the sale (including the seller, real estate professionals, and the lender) until the transaction has been recorded. It is at the point of deed recordation that you become the official owner of the home.