1 Day Ahead

·         Pack all of your personal belongings.

·         Arrange to have dogs tied up and out of the way on move day. If you have cats or other small animals, a crate might be a good idea.

Moving Day

·         Arrange to be at home for the entire move. The movers will need your instructions.

·         If your delivery is another day, give the driver a phone number where you can be reached in the meantime.

·         Meet the movers at the new house to supervise unloading; they will place the furniture exactly as you want it.

·         Make sure you receive a copy of the work order from the driver.

·         Make sure you have read your moving contract and understood your rights.  Don't sign a release unless you are sure there is no damage.

Insurance Claim

·         Immediately photograph damaged articles

·         Immediately make a claim.  If you wait your claim may be denied.

·         Make sure you submit it to the correct address.

·         Do not throw away the material in which the goods were packed.  It is evidence and may be demanded in order for you to have a valid claim

Closing costs

As part of the lending processes, your lender must provide you, within 3 days of your loan application, with a “Good Faith Estimate” and it must include the interest rate and all other costs and fees associated with the loan (i.e., closing costs).  Closing costs usually range from 2 percent to 6 percent of the sale price.  As you are planning out your offer, it's important to distribute  your cash available for the transaction between the down payment and the closing costs (and other costs, such as home inspection, termite inspection and possibly termite treatment etc which may be paid at or prior to closing).  Also good to note that often times you can ask the seller to pay some or all of these costs;  clarify the rules with your lender!  It is highly recommended that you purchase owners title insurance - ask your agent how much it will be.

 Negotiate problems prior to closing

It’s not uncommon for a problem to arise before closing. Address them immediately, as they arise.  For instance, if the seller had agreed to make a repair prior to closing, and the repair that has been done is not acceptable to you, resolve this prior to closing with the assistance of your Realtor. 

Close at the end of the month

When determining the closing date you request/accept in your offer, keep in mind how the closing date will affect your costs due at the closing table.  Upon closing, your lender will charge you prepaid interest from the date the loan is recorded through the end of that month.  So here’s a tip…schedule the closing for the latter part of the month and you will lower your closings costs by paying a lower amount of prepaid interest!  And ask your lender when your first mortgage payment will be due.  You may find you close on the 28th of this month and you don’t have a payment for another 30 days or so.

What you may have to or should bring to the closing (ask your agent) -

• Your co-signer on the loan (spouse, guarantor....)
• Proof of home owner's insurance
• Proof of termite inspection and treatment if it was necessary.  Your lender may require the original - ask your loan officer.
• Government issued Photo ID
• Money needed to close - may have to be in form of secured funds
• Gift Letter
• Good Faith Estimate, so you can compare it to the HUD-1

What you will get at the closing  

• Settlement Statement, HUD-1 Form (it must include the interest rate and all other costs and fees associated with the loan (i.e., closing costs); it is filled out by your closing agent (usually an attorney) and RESPA states you should be given a copy of the HUD-1 at least one day prior to settlement. In real life, entries may still be coming in a few hours before closing. 
• Truth-in-Lending Statement
• Mortgage Note
• Mortgage
• Smoke Detector Affidavit (in some jurisdictions)
• Keys to your new home (and maybe garage door opener and warranties)

What you will get after the closing

• The deed to your house, after recording (usually general warrant deed) .
• Owner's title insurance policy
• Tax deductions, property value appreciation and all the other benefits of home ownership - enjoy!