Can Mediation Save Our Deal?
Jack and Eliza searched Fayette county in Virginia for the right house. Not only must it be in good condition, have a nice yard, be in a good school district, but it had to also be a show place for … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Closing/Settlement
Steps to a Cakewalk Closing
New York Times April 27, 2012 There’s no lack of information on the Internet about real estate closings. But according to Sandy Gadow, the author of “The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing” and a Sotheby’s broker who has … Continue reading →
What Your Closing Agent Does for You
Although you may not feel you need to speak with your closing agent until you are well into the purchase process or possibly not until the day of closing, it is a good idea to contact the closing agent early … Continue reading →
How Do I Prepare For A Smooth Closing?
There are several things you can do to be certain that your real estate transaction will close on time, and that everything will go smoothly. A day or two before closing, you should review your final closing statement or HUD-1 … Continue reading →
Choose Right Settlement Agent for a Quick Closing
In spite of the recent shift in the real estate market, seeing sales slowing down in many areas, savvy Buyers are looking for well-priced properties which may now be available to them. Not wanting to loose out to a competitive … Continue reading →
How You Close on a Mortgage Is Your Call
By Sandy Gadow Special to The Washington Post As the record-setting volume of home purchases and mortgage refinancing continues, many borrowers are becoming concerned about how to make settlement go as smoothly as possible. The right choice of a settlement … Continue reading →
Finding Hidden Costs on Your Closing Statement
Throughout the closing process, you will have been given various documents, some being mandatory government disclosure documents. These disclosures are meant to keep you fully informed in regard to the costs you will or may incur in your closing. Among … Continue reading →
What is the First of the Three Most Important Documents My Escrow Officer Will Need?
Your escrow officer or closing agent will refer to three main documents to act as the roadmap to prepare your purchase transaction for closing. Those three documents will be the Purchase Agreement or contract between Buyer and Seller, the title … Continue reading →
Why the Right Closing Date Can Make a Difference
Who controls the closing date for escrow – the Buyer or the Seller? When you make an offer to purchase a property, you will sign a Purchase or Purchase and Sales Agreement with the Seller. This document will be the … Continue reading →
Tax Prorations At Closing Time
Among the various items which will be prorated, or shared between the buyer and seller at the closing will be real estate property taxes. Although prorations are normally pretty straightforward and easy to understand, property taxes can be a problem … Continue reading →
How Will My Loan Be Handled in Escrow?
Once you have opened escrow and given the escrow officer the details of your purchase, you will next give the officer the name of the lender who will be financing your purchase. You may not know the name of the … Continue reading →
Should I Compare Escrow Fees On-Line?
When you begin shopping for the best home price, mortgage rate, insurance premium, and lender closing costs, so to should you shop for the best escrow fees. Many buyers believe escrow fees are set by law and so they do … Continue reading →
Will My Escrow Officer Review My Loan Documents With Me?
When you sit down for your closing, whether it is at a title company, an escrow office, an attorney’s office, or any other location, you will be asked to sign a number of documents. Among those documents will be your … Continue reading →
Will My Utility Bills Be Pro-Rated In Escrow?
At close of escrow, certain expenses will be pro-rated, giving the Buyer and Seller any credits they may be due or paying any unpaid expenses owing from either party. The pro-ration of these expenses divides up the expense fairly between … Continue reading →
When Is Escrow Considered Open?
When you give your deposit to the real estate agent and the signed sales agreement has been signed by both the buyer and the seller, the agent may then “open” escrow. If there is no real estate agent involved in … Continue reading →
E-Loans and E-Escrows
You may have noticed that loan and escrow services are now being offered over the internet. Can these services help you and should you rely on them? Closing agents and lenders are offering approvals and closings with lightening speed, often … Continue reading →
How Do I Prepare For Closing?
Prior to the actual closing day, there are several things you should do to be certain that your real estate transaction will close on time, and that everything will go smoothly. A day or two before closing, you should review … Continue reading →
Must I Record My Deed?
Your deed is considered complete once it has been signed, sealed and delivered. Recording the deed is not required by law in order for the transfer from the seller to the buyer to take place. However, in order for you … Continue reading →