Send purchase and sales agreement and copy of listing to
escrow closer as early in the transaction as possible!
Provide escrow closer with the following information: Loan
numbers, lenders, name and address for loans being assumed
or paid off in closing.
Provide name of new lender and loan officer. If you change
lenders anytime in the transaction, please advise closer.
If there is an "owner-carry" in the transaction, provide
closer with exact terms. Let closer know if there is to be an
escrow collection and where it is to be held.
If the property is a rental, please provide monthly rents,
list of tenants, when rent has been paid and dollar amount of
the security deposit.
If there is to be an interim occupancy agreement, please
provide closer with a copy and any amount to be prepaid to seller.
If you re-write the purchase and sales agreement or add
addendums or counter offers, please see that the closer receives
a copy!
Has any money been advanced from earnest money deposit for
credit report, appraisal, septic or well inspections? Has the
agent advanced any amounts that should be reimbursed to him/her
at closing?
Always be certain that commission amounts are shown on some
document.
Is either party out of town? Will either party be signing
by "Power of Attorney"? Most title companies will prepare a
"Power of Attorney" form, but in almost all cases it will
need to be reviewed for sufficiency.
Are there any additional bills to be paid from the closing?
Review the title commitment upon receipt. Vested owners will
be assumed to be signing at closing unless you specify otherwise.
If there has been a divorce or death of titleholder, please
let the closer know as soon as possible.
Buyer should have their insurance agent contact their new
lender or closer as soon as possible. Some lenders may require
the original policy in their office prior to closing rather
than just the binder.
Please inform your buyers that all closing funds should be
in the form of a cashier's check or wire transfer payable to
the title insurance office.
The buyer, seller and/or their legal counsel (mom, dad,
uncle, etc.) may wish to review copies of the closing documents
prior to closing. If so, please notify closer. Preliminary
statements will be furnished whenever possible for you and
your clients prior to closing.