The big day is here: Closing Day. This is the time your sale is closed, you get your keys and you can now call your house your home. Closing Day is the last step in the home buying process. Most often, the closing agent is the one responsible for making sure all the documentation needed for the closing is prepared and/ordered. This is also when both the buyers and sellers can expect their hands to cramp while they sign all the official paperwork to transfer ownership from one party to another.
Every state has its own requirements for closing documentation. Your real estate professional should be knowledgeable with what is required in your state and should contact you ahead of time to make sure you bring the necessary information to the closing. However, if they don’t call you ahead of time, feel free to ask them what you’ll need to bring.
Typically, you will need the following brought with you when Closing Day arrives:
- Photo ID – A driver’s license, passport or other state-issued ID is fine.
- Copies of Insurance Records – Your homeowner’s insurance policy, flood insurance, etc. as well as proof of payment to prove that it’s current.
- Cashier’s Check for the Closing Costs – Check with your real estate professional ahead of time to make sure you know exactly how much your closing costs are. This will include any remaining payments left on your purchasing agreement. As a homebuyer, you are entitled, by law, to receive an itemized list of any services and fees charged to you for closing your loan. This document is called a HUD-1 Settlement Statement.
- Sellers Need to Bring the Keys – The Seller should also bring any other information that would be useful for the Buyers, including owners manuals for any appliances that are included in the home purchase, garage door remote(s), any service logs for mechanical work and a copy of the CC&Rs, if applicable.
