What to Expect During Your Closing

The day has finally arrived: you’re closing on your home that you’ve worked so hard to find and purchase. And with a little preparation leading up to your closing date and a basic understanding of what to expect, you’ll be going through your front door in no time.

Before Your Closing Date

If you have any questions about closing or your new home, you can ask your agent or lender. Before closing, your lender will contact you to make sure that there are no unexpected surprises on the day of your closing. We’ll review:

  • Final fees
  • Loan amount
  • First payment date
  • Other related items
  • And any questions you might have

On Your Closing Date

Where Will Closing Take Place?

The closing process will take place at the office of a title company or attorney in your area who will act as your agent. If you are purchasing a brand new home, the seller may also be at the closing to transfer ownership to you.

What Will I Be Doing at Closing?

You will be reviewing and signing several loan papers during the closing. The conducting closing agent, the attorney or your lender will be able to answer any questions you have during this time. Feel free to contact your lender in advance, if you have any questions leading up to your closing date.

What Documents Will I Be Signing?

The Closing Disclosure

The Closing Disclosure will be provided three business days before your closing. This document allows you to make sure the deal you were offered on your Loan Estimate is the deal you are actually getting before you sign and agree to the terms of your mortgage.

If you have any questions or see any discrepancies, this also gives you a chance to ask your mortgage loan officer before signing on the dotted line.

The Closing Disclosure covers loan terms, projected payments, closing costs, any other costs associated to the loan, cash calculations to close, summaries of both the borrower’s and seller’s transactions, and any additional information about the loan.

Note

A note is the document you sign to agree to repay your mortgage. This provides you with all of the details of your loan, including the interest rate and the length of time you have to repay the loan. This also explains the penalties that you may incur if you fall behind in making your payments.

Mortgage/Deed of Trust

Your mortgage document, also known in some states as a Deed of Trust, pledges a property to the lender as security for repayment of a debt. Essentially, this means that you will give your property up to the lender in the event that you cannot make your mortgage payments. Your mortgage document restates the basic information contained in the note, as well as details the responsibilities of the borrower.