Closing or Settlement

Buyers can be a little cranky on closing day if things go wrong during the walk-through inspection. For example, the sellers’ dependable old dishwasher might stop midway through its cycle and the bathroom sink might clog unexpectedly. These situations can create anxiety for the buyers and sellers, but such problems are quite common and usually simple to resolve.

Most purchase agreements require that the major mechanical systems and the appliances being conveyed are in working order at the time of the closing. Defects are often discovered during the structural inspection, allowing the sellers plenty of time to have the repairs made. Occasionally there are last-minute breakdowns or defects that are not spotted until the walk-through inspection. In that case, an agreement can be made with the sellers at the closing to escrow funds for the repair or replacement of the items in question.

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When you consider what price you should accept when selling your home, there are two important factors that will influence your decision. The first factor is the basic sales price. The second, and more important, is the amount you will actually receive from the proceeds at the closing.

Your real estate agent will prepare a seller’s “net sheet” showing what your expenses will be. This will aid you in determining who pays what and when. It can help you to focus on the details of the sale.

A seller’s expenses will include brokerage fees, real estate settlement fees, title insurance fees and special assessments. In some cases the buyer may ask you to pay some of the loan fees. Local real estate taxes will be pro-rated for you and the buyer, and you may be asked to place funds in escrow for payment of your final water bill. Subtract your mortgage balance any home improvement loans and other liens against the property that will be paid at the closing to come up with your final figures.

Your real estate agent can go over all of these factors with you when you list your home for sale and again as offers come in.

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The costs of buying a home may be daunting. For example, you may have finally saved enough for a down payment on your first home, with a little left over to buy the furniture you will need. Then you hear about having to pay closing costs you weren’t anticipating, and this may seem like a real setback.

One way to cover such a shortage is to make the sellers an offer that calls for them to credit you for some of the closing costs. As a rule, the sellers may pay a maximum of 3 percent of the sales price if the buyer is putting five percent down. If the buyer is making a down payment of 10 percent or more, the seller can contribute up to 6 percent of the sales price to cover the buyer’s closing costs. Some items, such as prepaid taxes and the first month’s mortgage payment, must be paid by the buyers. Sellers may also contribute to paying the appraisal, points, title insurance, settlement attorney fees, state or local transfer taxes and similar items.

Keep in mind that if the credit is included in the price of the house, the appraiser will have to justify the amount, based on sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

The costs of buying a home may be daunting. For example, you may have finally saved enough for a down payment on your first home, with a little left over to buy the furniture you will need. Then you hear about having to pay closing costs you weren’t anticipating, and this may seem like a real setback.

One way to cover such a shortage is to make the sellers an offer that calls for them to credit you for some of the closing costs. As a rule, the sellers may pay a maximum of 3 percent of the sales price if the buyer is putting five percent down. If the buyer is making a down payment of 10 percent or more, the seller can contribute up to 6 percent of the sales price to cover the buyer’s closing costs. Some items, such as prepaid taxes and the first month’s mortgage payment, must be paid by the buyers. Sellers may also contribute to paying the appraisal, points, title insurance, settlement attorney fees, state or local transfer taxes and similar items.

Keep in mind that if the credit is included in the price of the house, the appraiser will have to justify the amount, based on sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage

Home buyers will have an opportunity to walk through the house they purchased just before the closing to make sure it is in the same condition as when the contract was ratified. They will check the appliances and make sure that the agreed-upon repairs were completed you could try these out.

Buyers usually see their new home empty for the first time just after the movers have left. Suddenly they see the dark rectangles and nail holes where pictures used to hang, and all the “dust bunnies” that were concealed by furniture. The contract calls for the house to be “broom clean” and free of trash and debris. However, real estate agents encourage sellers to leave their homes impeccably clean for the pre-closing walk-through inspection, and many homes are turned over in spotless condition.

Sometimes the seller’s hectic moving schedule, fatigue, or unequal housekeeping standards require the buyers to clean the house thoroughly before they feel that they can move in. If you are afraid that a messy house could trigger problems at the closing, be sure to make your house shine for this important inspection.

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When you buy a home, you will pay “closing costs” in addition to the down payment. These costs include the “points” you pay on your mortgage loan, title and hazard insurance, the title search, legal fees, and other charges imposed by the lender. These charges vary by state and county, but they usually represent a considerable amount of money.

Your real estate agent can tell you about the closing costs in your area. Ask your agent for some general figures when you begin your search for a new home, and use this information as a guideline. When you apply for your loan, the lender is required to provide you with a “good faith” estimate of the closing costs. The lender’s good faith estimate is usually close to the actual amount, since the sales contract will have the price and terms of your new home spelled out. As the closing approaches, your real estate agent will give you a final figure for the check that you will bring to the closing table.

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In most real estate transactions there are a few responsibilities that the sellers need to handle before the closing, such as repairs and termite extermination. The deadline for completing these obligations usually coincides with the actual closing. Many sellers barely make that deadline. Those who wait until the last minute to handle these matters may miss the deadline altogether or pay high rates in order to get a plumber, roofer or electrician on an emergency basis.

Your buyers will probably get a structural inspection done after the contract is ratified. Within 10 days of the contract’s acceptance by all parties, the pest inspection should be scheduled. Even though sellers usually know well in advance what is needed, they sometimes put things off until the buyers have finalized the loan approval process. Since these repairs will have to be made anyway, it is a good idea to get them done promptly.

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When moving out of a house you have lived in for a long time, you may discover years’ worth of dust that was previously concealed by your home furnishings. If you don’t have the time or energy to clean your house for the new owners, a useful option is to pay a professional to do the job.

Before going to the closing table, your buyers will have a last chance to walk through the house and check the appliances, mechanical systems and overall condition to make sure everything is consistent with the sales contract. Even though they really want the house, at this point “buyers’ remorse” may be prompting them to look for a reason to call the transaction off. Because an otherwise minor problem or defect can sometimes trigger last-minute cold feet, your best insurance is to make the house look great. Everything should be working properly, and all the agreed-upon repairs should have been made before the buyers arrive to look at the house. You can promote a more relaxed, positive atmosphere for the closing if you take special care in preparing for the walk-through inspection.

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Here are some tips for coordinating a move that depends on careful timing. Say the closing on the sale of your home is Friday morning at 11:00, and that afternoon at 3:00 you are to complete the transaction on the house you are buying. Your sellers are completing the purchase of their new house on Monday. As sellers, each of you is obligated to leave your house vacant and clean at the time of the closing. You will each take possession of the home you are buying after the closing.

If you are faced with a game of musical moving vans, you may want to negotiate with your buyers or sellers to remain in your old house for a few extra days or move your belongings into the new home a little early. You should draw up a written agreement which details your arrangement, such as the amount of rent, the move-in or move-out date, and any agreements regarding utilities, insurance, or a damage escrow. If you need to make special arrangements for your move, let your real estate agent know and work out the details as early as possible in advance of the closing.

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There is a standard chain of events that occurs when an offer comes in on a home. After a meeting of the minds, the buyer often brings in a home inspector who may find a few items that need to be repaired. The real estate agent gives the homeowner a list of the requested repairs. What comes next?

In most transactions, the seller will take care of the repairs. Many sellers wait until the week before the closing to call someone to do the work, because they want to be sure that they are going to make it to the closing table before they spend money on repair work. If you are responsible for making repairs to a home you are selling, make sure you have the work done well in advance of the closing date by licensed professionals who will stand behind their work. If the work is done at the last minute and is incomplete or unsatisfactory, it could cause complications at the closing. You should provide the buyers with all the receipts and the names of the persons to contact in case there is a problem with the repairs.

Filed under: Closing or Settlement, Real Estate Tips by AgentImage