8. Closing
- Closing is not to be confused with Recording. Closing occurs when the lender is ready to loan the money while adhering to the dates specified in the Purchase & Sale Agreement. A few days before closing, I will make an appointment with the title company for you to close. An appointment later in the afternoon gives everyone more time to make sure they have correct documents. The lender sends all the necessary loan documents to the title company. You have an appointment to close and the buyer has an appointment to close. This can even be on different days and it's frequently done in different locations. I do not need to be with you when you close, although I try. Once you sign all the loan documents at closing, the lender sends the money to the title company, and then the title company records the sale at the recorders office. This is usually the next business day after closing. If you close on a Friday, the transaction records on Monday (unless it's a holiday). You own the home until recording. You must keep it insured with the utilities connected until then. Recording is the date listed in the contract, so in order to comply with the contract we need to make sure and close at least one business day before recording.
- A note about utilities . . . the buyer should call the proper utility at least two days prior to recording in order to switch service onto their account. You should call the utility two days ahead to make sure that it has been done.