OK, You’ve accepted the ‘As-Is’ condition of the property, been approved for a loan, been approved by the association etc.  Now you can move towards a closing of the sale.

• Have you reviewed the Title Commitment?  Is the Title OK?
• Has your lender issued a ‘clear to close’ and can the closing department of your lender and the Closing Agent do all that is required of them by the Closing Date.
• If something happens and you need an extension to close do NOT go past the Closing Date without Closing or getting an addendum to change the Closing Date.
• Try to review the HUD-1 BEFORE, or at least at the same time, as you Lender.  If there’s an error on the HUD then you want to address it before your Lender approves it for a Closing.
• Make sure that you have proof of insurance, a clean WDO, Condominium and/or HOA approval and that the Closing Agent has the ORIGIONAL certificates at Closing.
• Make sure that as a condition of your loan the appraiser did/does not need to re-inspect the property.  If so, this must be done before the Lender will issue a clear to close.
• Get a time and date for a walk-through with your agent.  This is ONLY to verify that the property is broom clean, all personal property that was to stay or go is there or not and that the property is in substantially the same condition as it was on the EFFECTIVE DATE.
• Call and place utilities in your name as of the closing date.
• Make sure the Escrow Agent has wired the escrow funds to the Closing Agent
• Get the ‘cash to close’ amount from the HUD and arrange for a FEDERAL WIRE TRANSFER of the funds to close to the account of the Closing Agent.
• Go to the Closing and remember to bring two (2) ID’s.
• File a mail forwarding card with the post office, and change your billing addresses on bank accounts, credit cards, insurance carriers, magazines, etc.  Remember, only first class mail gets forwarded.
• Collect the keys from the Seller or Closing Agent including front & back doors, garage, mail box, pool, fitness, etc.  You should change the locks just to be safe.
• Arrange for a cleaning service to really clean the house before you move in.  A tip is to also paint before you move in, especially the garage.  Your house will never be empty again and empty is the best time to paint it.
• After closing, remember to apply for the property tax homestead exemption (if you qualify), tax portability savings (again, if you qualify), and a tax abatement (if the property is over assessed).