How To Guarantee a Smooth Closing
There's nothing more frustrating than covering all the details of a Real Estate Closing. All parties involved need certain documents and other information from both the buyer and the seller to move the process along. Even in a refinance, the borrower can assist greatly by having certain documents and information available at the beginning of the process. Landis Title has put together a checklist of items needed for every residential closing. Our goal is to make even the toughest transactions go smooth. Please print this checklist and use it to make your closing a pleasant one!
Provide to Title Agent at beginning of process:
Provide to Title Agent at beginning of process:
- Name of seller's real estate agent and attorney plus phone numbers
- Name of buyer's real estate agent and attorney plus phone numbers
- Seller to provide current deed to property
- Seller/Buyer or borrower to provide current owner's policy and/or lender's policy
- Borrower (refinance only) to provide old survey
- Seller or borrower (if refinance) to provide written authorization for Title Agent to obtain a payoff from any holder of existing liens, and provide agent with Social Security Number and loan account numbers for same or provide a current valid payoff statement of any lien holders
- Seller or borrower (if refinance) to provide any documentation regarding any pending or dismissed court matters relating to the property, including divorces, judgment liens, etc.
- Seller or borrower to provide the most current paid county tax statement or any statements due
- Division of settlement charges, including insurance premiums
- Earnest money terms
- Bill of sale for any personal property
- Required property condition disclosures
- Real estate commission terms
- Buyer/Borrower to provide required hazard insurance policy with paid receipt or invoice
- Seller to provide any inspection reports and invoices; i.e. gas/pest inspection
- Seller to provide any Home Warranty and invoice
- Buyer/Borrower and/or lender to provide hazard insurance requirements
- Buyer/Borrower and or lender to provide lender's settlement charges
- Lender to provide escrow/closing instructions
- Buyer/Borrower to provide any attorney's fee charged and any other charges to be paid out of closing
- Seller to provide any attorney's fee charged and any other charges to be paid out of closing
- Seller or seller's attorney to produce new deed for Title Agent review before closing
- Title Agent to provide to seller and buyer an itemized list of charges and amount due at closing
- Seller, buyer or borrower to bring any funds due at closing in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, money order or wire
- Seller, buyer or borrower to bring valid photo I.D.
- All parties to bring any other items that have been requested in advance

