Are you looking to sell your home and wondering what are the steps of a real estate closing? Or perhaps you’ve just received the offer for the home that you’re looking for? As you’re likely well aware, the excitement of moving to a new home can be overwhelmed by the confusion and stress of the house-closing process.
From filling out and filing the right paperwork to the legalities of negotiations and inspections, it can be hard to easily navigate the process. But, with a few pieces of advice about the house closing process, the whole thing can go far more smoothly.
In this article, we’ll explore what it takes to close a house sale, including preparation, accepting offers, and signing the final documents. We’ll offer a comprehensive discussion of what to expect throughout the entire process and equip you with the knowledge to navigate the process yourself.
House Closing Process for Sellers
The house closing process for sellers includes a series of steps that need to be completed before a property can be sold. You’ll need to address specific issues depending on your location and the parties involved, especially if you’re selling a house by owner.
If you’ve received an acceptable offer on your house and all the negotiations have occurred, you must agree to the terms. This may involve the repairs that you need to carry out, price adjustments, and contingencies that might be related. You can proceed with the next steps once you’ve agreed on all the terms.
After accepting an offer, the buyer will schedule the needed inspections and appraisals that help them better understand the property’s condition and confirm its value.
This will include a home inspection, from the plumbing to the electricity, and more. If the property’s value is accurate and the buyer is happy to move on with the process, you can go to the next step. But, if there are issues that need to be addressed, you’ll need to take care of these first.
Next, you’ll need to prepare the closing documents. These will include the deed, bill of sale, title insurance, loan payoff statements, and other required disclosures. Working with your real estate agent or attorney is very important to ensure all the necessary paperwork is completed accurately.
While officially closing the sale, you will meet with the buyer and sign all the necessary documents, transferring ownership and receiving the agreed-upon payment. You’ll also deal with transferring homeowners’ insurance, forwarding mail, canceling utilities, and more. If you have any questions at all, an experienced real estate agent, attorney, or closing agent can guide you through the process.
How Does the House Closing Process Work
While it might be daunting at first, the house closing process includes several steps that, once you know them, are easier than they may seem. These steps will make it easy for even first-time home buyers or home sellers to navigate the process.
The first step occurs when the seller receives an offer from a potential buyer. They must decide whether they will accept, reject, or counter the offer with something that suits their expectations better. Negotiation in this stage may occur until both parties have agreed on a specific price and set of conditions.
Once the seller accepts the offer, the buyer will deposit what’s known as earnest money into an escrow account. This demonstrates their commitment to the purchase while also proving that they actually have the funds to proceed.
The buyer’s attorney will, in this next step, conduct a title search to make sure that there are no liens, claims, or ownership disputes on the property. The new owner will also get title insurance at this point, ensuring there are no unforeseen issues with the title.
Moving forward, the buyer will schedule an inspection. This could range from electrical inspections to plumbing, termite, and more. If there are any issues, these will have to be addressed before the sale closes.
The buyer’s attorney will also order a home appraisal to determine the fair market value of the property and make sure that the agreed-upon price is accurate. The next thing to know is that the buyer’s lender will likely process the mortgage application and review their financial documents.
This will prove that the buyer has a good enough credit score, employment history, and debt-to-income ratio. If approved, the lender will issue what is known as a loan commitment letter, indicating that the buyer qualifies for the loan that they’ve applied for.
With the process coming to a close, the lender will need to provide the buyer with what is known as a closing disclosure. This details the final loan terms, closing costs, and any adjustments they must be aware of.
The buyer may also choose to conduct a final walk-through of the property, ensuring that it conforms to any agreed-upon conditions previously negotiated. Next, the documents are signed, and the funds are dispersed to the right parties. The deed and all relevant documents are recorded, and the ownership of the house is officially transferred.
In the final step, after the closing, the buyer takes possession of the property, and the seller vacates the premises. It is up to the buyer what they do next, but the seller needs to cancel any existing services and ensure they’re forwarding their mail to their new address.
It’s important to note that there may be specific details in your state or city that are important to remember in addition to these guidelines. Make sure to consult with an attorney or realtor with any questions as cash home buyers in New York.
Do You Need Documents to Close a House?
When it comes to closing a house, there are several documents that you need to have. In the next sections, we’ll discuss these and how they function, using our experience since we buy houses in Nassau County.
Purchase Agreement
A purchase agreement is one of the most important documents that you’ll need to have when closing a house. It is a contract between the buyer and the seller that outlines all the various terms and conditions of the sale.
These include but are not limited to the sale price, various contingencies, and the closing date. This document will be referenced throughout the closing process.
Deed
The deed is a legal document that transfers the ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer. It’s an incredibly important document that contains a description of the party and the names of the parties involved.
Closing Disclosure
Yet another important document that itemizes the breakdown of costs and fees associated with closing. This includes but is not limited to the loan amount, closing costs, interest rate, and any other adjustments.
Mortgage Documents
The mortgage documents are another set of documents you’ll need to be aware of. If the buyer is financing the purchase, these documents will include the loan application, promissory note, mortgage or deed of trust, and anything related to the financing agreement.
Title Documents
The title documents include the title report, insurance policy, and any endorsements and are very important in the home closing process. These verify the legal ownership of the property and ensure that there are no important claims or encumbrances that the buyer needs to consider.
Proof of Insurance
The proof of insurance is also something to be aware of. It is the proof needed of the homeowner’s insurance coverage of the property that protects the buyer and the lender.
Closing Statement
The closing statement is a detailed summary of all financial transactions that have occurred during the closing process. It includes all the funds the buyer needs to supply to the seller.
Some other related documents that you may need to sign during the closing process include a power of attorney and government-issued identification documents.
How Quickly Can a House Close Happen
How quickly a house close can happen depends on a few different factors. These include the transaction’s complexity, the parties involved, and any local regulations. A typical house closing can take 30 to 60 days from the acceptance of an offer to the actual closing day.
But this is just a general estimate, and processes can be faster or slower depending on your circumstances. They can be affected by everything from the buyer’s finances to the contingencies and documents that must be addressed.
Plus, any issues with cooperation and communication between the buyer, seller, and real estate agents can slow down the process. This is especially true if want to sell a house fast in NYC.
In Conclusion
When it comes to house closing procedures and home buying, there are a series of steps you’ll need to complete to finalize a home sale. These range from accepting a good offer to inspecting the property, hiring an attorney, transferring ownership, and more.
The entire process can take between 30 and 60 days on average but can be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances and the line of communication between the buyer and seller. Knowing which documents you need, like the title and closing disclosure.
Make sure that you consult with a professional real estate agent or real estate attorney to check over your sales contract and help you along the way. This will ensure that you have a complete understanding of the process and what it entails. They can also help you understand why cash offer is better.