If you are thinking about buying a vacation home you should know the basics in the Real Estate closing process. The rules vary by location so you will need to find your state’s or city’s real estate rules to make sure you have the correct information. But generally speaking the process can best be described as the following:

Closing or “settlement” is when you will sign the final mortgage documents and the property will be legally transferred to you. It typically involves you and any co-borrowers, a closing agent and your real estate agent, although closing practices may vary in your local area.

The closing date is set during the negotiation phase, and is usually several weeks after the offer is formally accepted. On the closing date, the parties consummate the purchase contract, and ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer. In most jurisdictions ownership is officially transferred when a deed from the seller is delivered to the buyer.

Several things happen during closing:
-The buyer (or his/her bank) delivers a cheque (generally in the US, a Cashier’s check or wire transfer) for the balance owed on the purchase price.
-The seller signs the deed over to the buyer, and delivers the keys.
-A title company, lawyer or civil law notary registers the new deed with the local land registry office.
-The seller receives a cheque or bank transfer for the proceeds of the sale, less closing costs and mortgage payouts.

Closing in escrow usually occurs in states in the western half of the US. A title company (rather than a lawyer) or other trusted party holds the money and the signed deed, and arranges for the transfer. This is primarily so that the seller can give up ownership of the property, and the buyer can hand over the payment, without both parties having to be present at the same time. Escrow ensures an orderly transaction, or if something goes wrong, an orderly termination of the agreement.

On the Eastern side of the US, settlement (as closing is called) takes place on a specified date and time during which all parties (usually including the agents involved) meet at a settlement company presided over or supervised by a lawyer or settlement agent. At that time, the settlement agent disburses all funds listed on the settlement statement (in form of certified or wired funds) and the property exchange takes place, and the deed is then recorded by the company.

When preparing for the loan closing you should contact your closing agent to determine how much money you will need to bring to closing and any other steps for completing the purchase of your home.

You will sign many documents at closing and it is important that you read the documents carefully and ask as many questions as necessary. These documents include:

The Mortgage Note. A legal document that provides evidence of your debt and your formal promise to repay the mortgage loan.
The Mortgage or Deed of Trust. The security instrument that you give to the lender that protects the lender’s interest in your property. When you sign the deed of trust, you are giving the lender the right to take the property back by foreclosure if you fail to pay the mortgage according to the set terms.
The final Truth-in-Lending Disclosure. This document reflects any changes to the terms of your mortgage loan since your application date.
Affidavits and Declarations. Statements declaring something to be true, such as the property will be your principal place of residence.
The HUD-1 Statement. Discloses the final details of your mortgage loan including:
The actual settlement charges you will be paying
A comparison of the costs disclosed on your GFE to the costs being charged at closing
Your final loan terms

Tips for Closing
Avoid feeling rushed by reading all the documents that will be sent to you prior to closing. Oftentimes, real estate agents will review your documents in detail with you before the closing date to ensure you are comfortable. Don’t hesitate to ask your agent for this.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the legal terminology in closing documents. It is important that you understand everything you are signing; most homebuyers ask a lot of questions and it is expected.

The documents in the mortgage process are the same for everyone, regardless of race or ethnic origin.

Consider having an attorney look at the documents or attend the closing with you.
Closing on a home involves a number of important steps. Make sure to pay the same level of attention to these steps as you did when you were house hunting.