MOVING IN

Some celebrate with champagne and some are just thankful to finish the deal! Either way, you’ll want to do a few housekeeping things at this point in the process.

The final walk-through is the last time you will inspect the house before purchasing. At this point, the contingencies in the Purchase Agreement should be met and all of the seller’s belongings removed from the home. Usually, the final inspection takes place the day before or the day of closing.

When you are satisfied with the inspection, then, it is time to close. You, the seller, and the closing agent will sign the settlement agreement, which details the financial transactions enacted through the process to certify its accuracy. You will sign your loan documents and deposit the balance of your down payments and closing costs to escrow. If you are bringing funds to the transaction, then you can choose to either bring a certified bank check to the closing in the amount specified in the settlement statement, or you can have the funds electronically wired to the escrow account. Specific instructions will be provided by the escrow officer, so please be sure to follow them. However, please be cautious of wire fraud. Always verify wiring instructions directly with your escrow officer before sending any funds, and avoid using email as a sole method of communication for such sensitive information. If you receive any changes to wiring instructions, be sure to confirm them over the phone or in person with a trusted contact to ensure your money is safely transferred. Once everything has been completed, the deed will be recorded at the County Clerk of Courts Recording Department and you will officially take ownership of your property.