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Watch this video to learn about five of the key things you need to know before you close. Next, read the blog post to learn more.

10 Things To Know About Your Closing

The search may have been long, but you’ve finally found the home of your dreams. You love its style, floor plan, and views. Additionally, the neighborhood is great! You’ve also done the hard work of reaching an understanding with the seller on price, and signed a purchase agreement. You also made an earnest money deposit. The home inspection went well, and your loan has been approved! Your excitement builds as the big day of closing approaches. For most of us, the purchase of our home is the single biggest investment we ever make. Preparation is key! Read up on these 10 things to know about your closing.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) created the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Rule to improve mortgage disclosure forms to make it easier for consumers to understand the terms of their loans and closing costs. Ensure an timely closing! Start by communicating with your lender, real estate agent and settlement professional.

1. Closing Disclosure (CD)

• Most loan applications need a statement called a Closing Disclosure (CD). The lender sends this form directly to you, not your real estate agent.
• Luckily, the CD is designed to make it easy for you to understand the terms of your loan.

2. Time is of the Essence

• To avoid delays or a postponement of your closing, be sure to respond to lender and settlement company requests immediately.
• Work closely with your lender, real estate agent and settlement professional to avoid delays.

3. You Have a Choice

• When it comes to service providers associated with your closing, you have a choice. This includes the company or attorney that will close your transaction and most inspectors, just to name a few. The seller pays for some closing costs, and entitled to select the vendor(s), in some cases.
• Talk to your lender, real estate agent and settlement professional to obtain additional information about the various service providers and fees.

4. Protecting Your Information – Secured Email

• As an additional security measure to protect your non-public personal information, you may receive secured emails from your lender and settlement service provider.
• Follow the instructions for retrieving that information (which will likely require you to create an account), and make sure that you return any information through the secured email system.

5. Loan Estimate

• You will receive your Loan Estimate (LE) within three days of your loan application, and you may receive multiple copies of the LE if there are any changes in circumstance(s).
• The terms provided on the LE will also appear on the Closing Disclosure (CD). Any changes in fees on the CD are to be explained by the Lender.

6. Preparing for Closing

• Approximately 10 – 14 days before you are scheduled to sign your documents you should be prepared to communicate with your lender, real estate agent and settlement professional. Therefore, it will be important for you to provide your hazard insurance information.
• NOTE: Wiring instructions will be subject to strict rules to prevent fraud. Discuss this with your closing professionals well in advance.

7. Three-Day Review Period

• The Closing Disclosure (CD) must be delivered to the buyer/consumer at least three business days prior to the signing the documents.
• Acknowledge receipt of the CD if it is delivered via email. Doing this will avoid additional delays.
• The CD may also be mailed seven days in advance and does not require proof of receipt.
• This time allows you to share it with your agent, attorney and/or financial advisor and ask questions or get clarifications from your lender about the terms and conditions of your loan.

8. Lenders Title Insurance Policy

• Lenders typically require their borrowers to purchase a Lender’s Policy of Title Insurance for the purchase loan(s).
• Keep in mind, the fees are usually based on the amount of the loan(s).
• However, a lender’s policy protects only the lender’s interests should a problem with the title arise.

9. Owners Title Insurance Policy

• Research getting an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy early on in the process of obtaining a loan and closing on the purchase of your home.
• Homebuyers often assume that the Lender’s Title Insurance Policy protects them from challenges to their ownership rights in the property being acquired. Sadly, this is not the case. Instead, the homebuyer’s interests are protected by an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy. This insurance coverage typically protects against matters such as ownership challenges, errors and omissions in deeds, forgery, and undisclosed heirs, among other things. Additionally, it also provides coverage for the attorney’s fees that may come up if legal challenges to your property’s ownership occur. Its cost is typically based on the home’s total purchase price and is a one-time fee paid at closing.

10. Ask Questions

• This is one of the most important purchases of your life. Do not be afraid to ask questions of your lender, real estate agent and settlement professional.

The American Land Title Association also provides great resources for the consumer on the closing process. Check out Home Closing 101 for more information.

Conclusion

To sum up, we here at Landmark Abstract to answer your questions about your settlement. Call us at 717-293-9760 or fill out our contact page. We’re happy to help!

Learn More:

• 10 Things Real Estate Agents Should Know About TRID
• How to Avoid Closing Delays
• Protecting Your Home With an Owner’s Policy
• Closing Time: 6 Steps Every Homebuyer Should Expect
• New Twist on Wire Fraud