About the Closing Process

What information or documents are needed at the real estate closing?

In preparation for your real estate closing, a major portion of the closing agent's job is to gather information and documents from various sources, including the parties. It may be your responsibility to provide some of the items.

Below are the most common types of information and documentation required at a closing. Other items may be required as a result of your particular circumstances. Please check with your lender to determine if other requirements exist. In preparation for a refinance closing, click here.

Loan Information for Existing Mortgages or Liens

Your new mortgage lender must receive a first mortgage on your property. Consequently at closing, all other mortgages or liens, including home equity lines, must be paid off or subordinated. To help ensure your closing is not delayed unnecessarily, provide Realty Title with the lender's name, address, telephone number and loan number as soon as possible. Provide information regarding tax liens or utility financing statements. Some mortgage lenders require a written request before releasing payoff information.

Payoffs Other than Mortgages

Sometimes other creditors, like lenders with credit cards or unsecured lines of credit, must be paid off at the closing, either to consolidate debt or to qualify a party for the new loan being made. Information regarding these accounts, such as lender's name, address, telephone number and account number should be provided as soon as possible.

Termite Letter

At the closing, your lender may required a current (within 30 - 90 days, depending on the form), letter from a licensed pest exterminating company stating that there is no active infestation of termites and that there is no damage from prior infestation (or in the case of damage, that such damage has been corrected). Typically, the seller (in the case of a purchase) or the borrower (in the case of a refinance) will obtain this letter; however, the contract for sale may provide otherwise.

Survey

Some lending programs require a current (within 60 - 90 days) survey or mortgage loan inspection (MLI) of your property. This drawing serves to locate the improvements on the land for the lender's purposes only. A MLI is not a boundary survey and should not be relied on for locating exact property lines. If an MLI is required, the lender or closing agent will order the MLI from a licensed surveyor early in the closing process. If a survey or MLI of your property has recently been made, advise the closing agent immediately so that it can be updated into a form acceptable to your lender and the title insurance company. If the lender does not require a survey or MLI as part of the loan documentation, and you would like to have one made, please advise the title company as soon as possible.

Flood Insurance

If the flood determination obtained by your lender indicates that any portion of the property is located within a flood zone, a policy of flood insurance may be required by your lender. Your regular insurance agent will be able to provide information on flood insurance and this information should be provided to the closing agent as soon as it is available. The first year's premium will be paid in advance at the closing and monthly escrow payments will be included in your payment to the lender.

Hazard Insurance

Your mortgage lender will require that you have a hazard insurance policy insuring the house against fire and other casualties in an amount not less than guaranteed replacement value. Binders or commitments to insure are not acceptable. Some lending programs require new policies on refinances; others require only a certified copy of the existing policy and an endorsement changing the loss payee of the policy to show the name and address of the new lender. The first year's premium will be paid in advance, either at the closing or outside the closing (then a paid receipt must be provided) and monthly escrow payments will be included in your payment to the lender. In order to make sure all your new lender's requirements are met (proper premium and coverage amount, correct loss payee name and address, etc.), you should advise your closing agent before the closing of the name and telephone number of your insurance agent. Condominiums are generally insured through the homeowners' association.

Septic Letter

If the property being purchased or refinanced is not connected to a sewer, some lenders will require that the local health authority provide a current certification that the house is served by a properly constructed and operating septic tank system. The local county health department will have the proper form and know the proper procedures. For FHA and VA loans, the letter must state that public sewers are not available, and other special requirements may apply. Ask you lender for these requirements. Normally, the seller (in the case of a purchase) or the borrower (in the case of a refinance) will obtain this letter. In order to avoid a last minute discovery at closing that the letter obtained is inadequate or unacceptable, you should provide it to the closing agent in advance of the closing, preferably as soon as it is obtained. Even if the lender does not require a septic letter, your contract may provide otherwise.

Well Letter

If the property being purchased or refinanced is not connected to a public water supply, a current letter from the local health authority may be required stating the water quality is satisfactory and that the water quantity supplied by the pump and storage system is adequate and reliable. A copy of the test which shows that treatment is unnecessary may be required. Normally, the seller (in the case of a purchase) or the borrower (in the case of a refinance) will obtain this letter. In order to avoid a last minute discovery at closing that the letter obtained is inadequate or unacceptable, you should provide it to the closing agent in advance of the closing, preferably as soon as it is obtained.

Homebuyer's Warranty

Many contracts provide that a one-year warranty be furnished to the purchaser at closing. The warranty, which is most often paid for by the seller, covers systems and appliances in the house for a period of one year, subject to the terms of the agreement. Your agent will be able to answer any questions which you may have about the warranty.

Power of Attorney

If a party to the transaction is unable to be present at the closing, a power of attorney may be used, subject to lender and title underwriter approval. Please contact the title company as soon as you know that a power of attorney may be necessary.

Conditions at Closing

New loan approval may be granted to a borrower, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions which may include the sale of a previous residence, liquidation of a stock or other investment account, and/or payment of outstanding credit accounts. Borrowers should check with the lender before closing to ascertain whether any such requirements exist and to satisfy those requirements.

Cashier's Check / Wire Transfer

If a party (buyer or seller) is required to bring funds to the closing table, these funds must be in the form of a cashier's check (for funds under $10,000) made payable to "Realty Title & Escrow", not a personal check. Funds over $10,000 must generally take the form of a wire transfer into the title company's escrow account. Please call your closing agent for wiring instructions to proceed with this form of funds. Funds that are not "good funds" (cash equivalent or immediately recognized as "collected" funds) may cause a delay in disbursement at closing.

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Testimonials

Dear Realty Title, I just wanted to let you know what exceptional service received each
and every time I have closed with Cheri Bayer at Realty Title. I just recently had a very difficult contract to close and Cheri helped me through it every step of the way. I will even go as
far to say that it may not have closed without all her hard work. She got my clients
to the table and made it as pleasant as possible. I will continue to use Realty Title
because of Cheri. She is just wonderful!

Julie,

Crye-Leike Mt. Juliet Agent

I have been using Realty Title for 17 years and I am never disappointed!! I know my clients will be taken care of and the job gets done on time!! It's nice to know there is a Title Company that goes above and beyond every time!! Keep up the good work!!

Sherry Hulen,

Crye-Leike

The customer service at Realty Title is AWESOME! They are all so kind, very knowledgeable and willing to help with anything! I thoroughly enjoy working with all of them at my closings! They make them smooth and enjoyable for all involved!

Stephanie Fowler,

Crye-Leike

Realty Title has always exceeded my expectation and ensured that the Closing Package was ready early along with the Wiring Instructions. It's great to always have laughs and smiles with happy clients closing on time - hassle free! Thank you!

Jason Bailey,

Mortgage Investors Group

My experience with Realty title was by far better than I could have imagined. The process was seamless and stress free. I want to bring special recognition to Deanna Wood, our closing agent. She was fabulous to work with, and got our closing scheduled 2 days after I was approved. Customer service like this shows shows the strength of the company, and ensures that I will do business with Realty title again. Thank you for the great experience!

Brittany Threet,

Zander Insurance Group

I don't know how I would have come out of [the closing process] sane without you.

Catherine R.,

Client

Your Realty Title Experience: Peeps always strive to perform regardless of the circumstances. They work hard!

Harold Whittaker,

Crye-Leike