Skip to main content

Your First Home: Step 7-Close

We got through the home inspection, that was intense. What’s next? Why, title and appraisal of course! We are in the home stretch; you can do this. As the lender is finalizing the mortgage, they are doing a little bit more digging: appraisal to confirm the value, survey to confirm the boundaries, title to verify ownership, and title insurance.

Appraisers will look at the home and comps to determine what they think the home is worth and relay this to you and the lender. The lender will only write a loan for the home’s appraised value, so if there is a difference between selling price and appraisal price-buyer and seller have to come together to cover the gap. Therefore, it is important to create a win-win situation, both parties have to work together at times.

Survey is to determine where the homes boundaries are and are not. You would be surprised how many times a neighbor’s fence may be on your property due to boundaries of each property being forgotten over time and various homeowners. This will also let you know of any easements and any other things you should know about your soon to be property.

Title refers to who owns the property. While everyone calls where they live “their home” it may actually be in the name of one spouse, both spouses, or even other family members and trusts. It is important to have clear title before title goes into your name. A search and insurance are needed to make sure title is good to go.

Now, I know we got preapproved like three blogs ago but at this point in the loan process the lender will check your finances one last time before issuing the loan. It is advised to not make any major purchases prior to purchasing your home and keep your bank and credit snapshot looking pretty and mortgage worthy. Wait until after the transaction to get the new appliances and order the movers.

Here are some things to make sure you have ready to go/do as we get to closing:

1.      Settlement Statement, Certified Funds, and Evidence of Insurance

2.      Transfer of Utilities and Movers

It is the day before closing, yes, we are finally here. Be sure to do your final walk through. By now, if you requested any repairs-you should see them done. Next day is closing day. Woo! What is happening on this day?

1.      Finalize your mortgage

2.      Pay the seller

3.      Pay your closing costs

4.      Transfer the title from seller to you.

5.      Make arrangements to legally record the transaction.

Goodbye renting-you are officially a homeowner! Welcome to the beginning of your wealth and future! Join us next week as we protect the investment we just procured.

Orange, CA-TRREG DRE#01843673-RP100 DRE#02059058-P:714-831-1800-E:info@theresultsrealestategroup.com-W:www.theresultsrealestategroup.com-Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn
Reference: Your First Home by Gary Keller

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Real Estate Investments: Invest Up

I want to speak briefly to the masses today. Normally our audience is the Buyer and Seller, and yet it is easy enough for anyone to become both. It could even happen that you are a Buyer, Seller, and Investor at the same time! How can this be? Me, a normal person can be a Investor? Yes. Even more than that, as soon as you start your journey you start doing something greater than yourself, building generational wealth. Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. This beginning looks like a house purchase. That would be because it is a house purchase. Assuming you are buying this house to rent out, you are now a Landlord and Investor. The first house is going to be the scariest, it gets easier from there. Let's assume you have rented out the house for a couple of years and you are looking to upgrade from a Single Family Residence to a Duplex. You would sell your Single Family Residence and 1031 the proceeds of the sale into the purchase of the duplex. Yo...

Your First Home: Step 8-Protect Your Investment

Welcome to the world of home ownership, besides feeling like you signed your life away-how does it feel? You may find yourself feeling pride of ownership, because you now in fact own something. But with great power comes great responsibility-home maintenance. One of the best resources for you, even after the transaction, is going to be your real estate agent. Chances are, if you need a specific kind of vendor-they have one they trust and can refer you to. Home maintenance falls into two categories: Keep it clean and keep an eye on it. Review the maintenance needs for your home once you are settled in plan for regular service. If you notice something different, investigate it and fix it. A small problem not treated turns into a massively more expensive problem when ignored. Be sure to also read your home warranty, some of the repairs that come up may be covered. Also, have reserves set up for “Life Happens” situations. Finally, the most important part, Housewarming Party! Nothing w...

Why Real Estate is Such a Good (Great) Investment: Part 5-(Can we) Build it (yes we can!)

This is the next installment of a 7 part series exploring ideas of why real estate is such a good investment. The focus will be on single family and multifamily real estate, but a good idea is a good idea, enjoy.  Building is a straightforward way to add value. There are really two classifications of it. Either remodeling or constructing. In terms of remodeling, as mentioned in a prior post, it is important to find a 'quarterback' that knows what and who to ask. Improvements should be thought of in terms of how much value it will bring, it has been said that kitchen and bathrooms are the highest return on investment. https://www.remodeling.hw.net   has a very good annual report ( linked here for Los Angeles, see last page ), some highlights is that a MINOR kitchen remodel returns 105% of the money put in. Other things include the expected, Grand Entrance (108.1%), Garage Door (123.8%) and perhaps unexpected, Deck Addition, wood (98.8%), Windows, double pane (102.6%)New ...