Closing
2008-07-19
If you are selling your house, you may have to jump through a few hoops between the time you and the buyer reach an agreement and the time the money and deed change hands.
Closing Your House
The structural inspector sometimes finds a few things that need to be repaired or replaced. Most buyers will also have a list of items that they want the seller to fix.
The ideal is to have your home as perfect condition as possible in time for the walk-through inspection prior to closing. If you have agreed to complete repairs on your home, it is a good idea to get an early start on the work so there will be plenty of time to correct any "surprises" that may be found. Call several companies to get competitive bids for the work that needs to be done or ask your real estate agent for recommendations.
Presenting the buyers with a clean, well-maintained home will make the process a lot easier for them, especially if they get a case of last-minute jitters.
Presenting the buyers with a clean, well-maintained home will make the process a lot easier for them, especially if they get a case of last-minute jitters.
Patience Required
Sellers often have to deal with a buyer's anxiety. For example, you may have reached an agreement with your buyers and signed the paperwork for the sale of your home. After all of the documents were signed, however, the buyers began to behave strangely, getting somewhat agitated and making additional demands.
It is important to remember that people experience a high level of stress when they are buying a house. Your buyers may be suffering from "Buyer’s Remorse"-- that intense feeling that they have paid too much and that the house is going to fall down as soon as they assume ownership. They may start questioning the fine points of the structural integrity of your home or ask you to include your new washer and dryer and power mower in the transaction.
Don't take it personally if your buyers begin going through the "home-buying jitters". Be patient, and allow the real estate agent to do whatever "hand holding" is necessary to get the buyers happily settled in your home.
It is important to remember that people experience a high level of stress when they are buying a house. Your buyers may be suffering from "Buyer’s Remorse"-- that intense feeling that they have paid too much and that the house is going to fall down as soon as they assume ownership. They may start questioning the fine points of the structural integrity of your home or ask you to include your new washer and dryer and power mower in the transaction.
Don't take it personally if your buyers begin going through the "home-buying jitters". Be patient, and allow the real estate agent to do whatever "hand holding" is necessary to get the buyers happily settled in your home.
Here is a typical scenario illustrating the effects of buyer's remorse. Your home was on the market for a few weeks, and you are now feeling fortunate because an attractive offer has been presented by qualified buyers. Once the ink dried on the contract forms, however, it seemed that everything suddenly threatened to come unraveled.
Once the buyers' earnest money check cleared their account, they suddenly came up with a list of concerns that never occurred to them before the purchase agreement was signed. Their fears and demands have turned them into touchy adversaries instead of the sweet young couple looking forward to starting a family. How could the atmosphere have changed so quickly?
Buyers and sellers are both susceptible to different forms of stress reaction known in the real estate field as "Buyers' Remorse" and "Sellers' Remorse". Fortunately, neither one of these conditions is contagious to real estate agents! An important part of our job is to help our sellers and buyers through their buying or selling jitters with understanding and humor
Once the buyers' earnest money check cleared their account, they suddenly came up with a list of concerns that never occurred to them before the purchase agreement was signed. Their fears and demands have turned them into touchy adversaries instead of the sweet young couple looking forward to starting a family. How could the atmosphere have changed so quickly?
Buyers and sellers are both susceptible to different forms of stress reaction known in the real estate field as "Buyers' Remorse" and "Sellers' Remorse". Fortunately, neither one of these conditions is contagious to real estate agents! An important part of our job is to help our sellers and buyers through their buying or selling jitters with understanding and humor
A Smooth Closing
If you are in the process of moving from a home you lived in for years, you might be amazed at what lies beneath all your home furnishings! You might stand in your empty house as the moving van pulls away; staring at piles of dust bunnies and years' worth of grime that you didn't know was there. You are tired, and the last thing you feel like doing is scrubbing your house for the new owners. But leaving your home impeccably clean is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a smooth closing.
Your buyers will do their "walk-through" before the closing to make sure that all the systems of the home are in working order and that the agreed-upon repairs were made. They will feel good about the whole process if they walk into a spotless house. This will be their last opportunity to experience an attack of buyers' remorse, and your efforts can minimize any second thoughts they may be having or any crankiness about issues that must be resolved at the closing. If you are not inclined to do the cleaning yourself, hiring a professional cleaner will be worth the investment.
Your buyers will do their "walk-through" before the closing to make sure that all the systems of the home are in working order and that the agreed-upon repairs were made. They will feel good about the whole process if they walk into a spotless house. This will be their last opportunity to experience an attack of buyers' remorse, and your efforts can minimize any second thoughts they may be having or any crankiness about issues that must be resolved at the closing. If you are not inclined to do the cleaning yourself, hiring a professional cleaner will be worth the investment.
Keep in close contact with your real estate agent so that you will know if there are any changes in the closing schedule. On the day the property changes hands, your house should be empty, clean and ready for the buyer. Contact all of the utility companies to let them know that you are moving and give the service company the buyer's name (the buyer must follow up with calls to confirm). Don't turn off the gas or electricity because the buyers need to confirm that the appliances are in working order. Let your insurance company know ahead of time that you are selling the house and arrange for your coverage to be transferred to your new home. The most important thing is to start the process well in advance in order to avoid any last-minute complications.
Closing Costs
If you are in the process of buying a home, you have probably figured out how much you will need for the down payment, but don't forget about the closing costs associated with the purchase of any property. These additional costs can add up to a significant amount.
Closing costs will vary, depending upon the costs of financing your home loan and the time of the month that you close. Your real estate agent will be able to give you an estimate of all these costs, including the points on your loan, private mortgage insurance (if required), the title search, title insurance, attorneys' fees, and any transfer taxes or recording fees charged by local government agencies. There may also be property taxes, homeowners' association fees and insurance that must be prepaid
Closing costs will vary, depending upon the costs of financing your home loan and the time of the month that you close. Your real estate agent will be able to give you an estimate of all these costs, including the points on your loan, private mortgage insurance (if required), the title search, title insurance, attorneys' fees, and any transfer taxes or recording fees charged by local government agencies. There may also be property taxes, homeowners' association fees and insurance that must be prepaid
Closing Dates
The final closing date is an important item in the negotiation of the purchase agreement on a home. This is the day when the buyers get their ownership papers and the sellers get their money. It is important to remember that most standard contracts don't pinpoint a specific date, and closings can be delayed due to factors beyond the buyer's control.
The closing will usually be set as soon as the title search and lender's paperwork can be completed. However, any number of factors can interfere with the closing schedule. For example, questions can arise about liens against the property that were paid, but not properly recorded. Items in the buyers’ credit history may have to be cleared up. These situations rarely cause the transaction to fall apart, but they can wreak havoc with your moving schedule. Your real estate agent will keep you up to date on the progress of your closing in order to avoid delays and minimize any inconvenience.
The closing will usually be set as soon as the title search and lender's paperwork can be completed. However, any number of factors can interfere with the closing schedule. For example, questions can arise about liens against the property that were paid, but not properly recorded. Items in the buyers’ credit history may have to be cleared up. These situations rarely cause the transaction to fall apart, but they can wreak havoc with your moving schedule. Your real estate agent will keep you up to date on the progress of your closing in order to avoid delays and minimize any inconvenience.
Closing Paperwork
When you buy a house you are asked to sign an amazing number of documents, especially if you are obtaining a mortgage loan. It is prudent to read all of the papers before signing them, but it may not be practical to do this at the actual closing. There is a way you can read everything first without holding up the closing.
The title company should have the papers ready for your review several days before the closing, but sometimes the lender delivers the paperwork at the last minute. If you insist on reading the fine print on every page, you will probably draw some serious groans from the others at the table. One practical solution is to request copies of all of the standard forms a week before the closing, so that you can read them at your leisure. At the closing you need only to make sure that the information is filled in correctly
The title company should have the papers ready for your review several days before the closing, but sometimes the lender delivers the paperwork at the last minute. If you insist on reading the fine print on every page, you will probably draw some serious groans from the others at the table. One practical solution is to request copies of all of the standard forms a week before the closing, so that you can read them at your leisure. At the closing you need only to make sure that the information is filled in correctly
Closing Questions
Because of the complexity of a real estate transaction, questions and concerns arise frequently for those who are buying or selling a home. Most people experience a degree of stress at the closing of the sales transaction. Both parties are probably feeling nervous and vulnerable as they sign the papers, and may even be fighting off an attack of buyer's or seller's remorse.
Even though you may be inclined to just sign the papers, it is a good idea to check the paperwork and ask any questions that come to mind. If you are signing a mortgage or deed of trust, be sure to review the document carefully. Check the spelling of your name, the property address and all of the inserted items for accuracy. Since much of the paperwork is prepared on short notice, mistakes are occasionally made. They are usually easier to fix while you are still at the title office, so don't be shy about asking questions before you sign on the dotted line.
Even though you may be inclined to just sign the papers, it is a good idea to check the paperwork and ask any questions that come to mind. If you are signing a mortgage or deed of trust, be sure to review the document carefully. Check the spelling of your name, the property address and all of the inserted items for accuracy. Since much of the paperwork is prepared on short notice, mistakes are occasionally made. They are usually easier to fix while you are still at the title office, so don't be shy about asking questions before you sign on the dotted line.
Closing Tips
The conclusion of a real estate transaction is an exciting time for everyone involved. The closing table is the ideal place to sign papers, trade keys, and drink a toast to the new homeowners. Sometimes that setting is filled with tension and pressure as each side tries to work out important details of the transaction at the last minute.
How can you help make your closing a relaxed and happy one? First, try to get the details worked out ahead of time. There may be a few unresolved issues, such as repairs that were not completed, a disappearing dining room chandelier or a pre- or post-closing occupancy agreement. The atmosphere should remain positive in order that minor upsets will not threaten the entire transaction. If you anticipate a problem, no matter how minor it may seem, be sure to communicate the situation to your real estate agent in advance, so that it can be addressed before it has a chance to escalate.
How can you help make your closing a relaxed and happy one? First, try to get the details worked out ahead of time. There may be a few unresolved issues, such as repairs that were not completed, a disappearing dining room chandelier or a pre- or post-closing occupancy agreement. The atmosphere should remain positive in order that minor upsets will not threaten the entire transaction. If you anticipate a problem, no matter how minor it may seem, be sure to communicate the situation to your real estate agent in advance, so that it can be addressed before it has a chance to escalate.