Purchasing a home in Hudson County is very exciting—but the time between setting up the contract and the final closing date comes with important details to manage. This simple checklist will help you stay organized, understand the title processes, and head into closing with the utmost confidence.
The Checklist
- Review the purchase contract. Make note of contingency deadlines, final closing date, agreed repairs, and any possible seller credits.
- Finish inspections and mortgage requirements with your bank.
- Schedule your home inspection, submit requested documents to your lender, and avoid major credit or employment changes prior to closing.
- Provide homeowner’s insurance information. Your lender generally needs proof of coverage before closing.
- Look over the title commitment. Check the names, property description, requirements, and listed exceptions. Ask your attorney or title professional about anything you may not understand.
- Address all title requirements.
- The title company works with the different parties to clear or satisfy items needed for closing, such as existing mortgages, liens, judgments, etc.
- Examine your Closing Disclosure. For most mortgage transactions, borrowers must receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing; compare its final loan terms, costs, cash-to-close figure, and credits with earlier estimates.
- Confirm your closing funds.
- Ask how and when funds must be delivered. Always verify wire instructions directly with your title professional or attorney using a trusted phone number—do not rely only on an emailed change in instructions.
- Complete your final walkthrough.
- Shortly before closing, confirm the property’s condition, agreed-upon repairs, and included items match what is in the contract.
- Bring valid identification.
- A current government-issued photo ID is commonly required for document signing. Sometimes banks will require two forms of identification.
How Title Companies Help
A title search and commitment identify the current state of the property’s title and the requirements that must be met before a title policy can be issued. Title and settlement services also help coordinate the documents, payoff information, recording, and other closing steps involved in the transaction so your transaction runs smoothly.