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What are Some Tips to Prepare for Closing on a Home?

May 1, 2023

Congratulations! You’re about to reach one of the biggest milestones in your life – buying a new home! As a highly experienced home builder in Washington state, New Tradition Homes has worked with many new homeowners like you. Helping them find the right community, floor plan, and everything they need all the way to and after closing day. Closing on a house is the final stage in the home-buying process. It’s where you’ve crossed all of the T’s and dotted all of the I’s and are now ready to move in and enjoy your brand-new, energy-efficient New Tradition home! Before we get to those final steps, here are a few tips from us at New Tradition Homes to help you prepare for your day of closing on a home. 

1. Complete A Final Walk-Through

A final presentation is included as one of the steps when closing on a home with New Tradition Homes. This means you’ll get the chance to take a walk through the completed home and make sure any repairs you requested have been done. You’ll also work with our construction team to get familiar with all of the important safety features and ensure every last detail is to your liking. Together, we’ll make sure to check that everything is in working order so you can start filling the home with your belongings and create some of your best memories.

2. Schedule A Closing Date

Whether it’s your first time closing on a house or you already own a home and are just upgrading, it’s important to consider the timeline to be prepared for the day of closing. That includes setting up a day and time that works best for you and your title company. For example, if you’re leasing or renting an apartment and have a set move-out date, you’ll want to make sure it aligns with moving into your new home. You may schedule your closing date towards the end of the month or request an evening or weekend closing due to finances or conflicting job schedules. Either way, pick something that fits around your daily responsibilities and that ensures you’re well prepared.

3. Plan Your Funds For Payment

Aside from signing and reviewing closing documents, you’ll typically need to come prepared with your down payment and closing costs on the day of closing. You’ll want to make sure you have the funds available in the preferred form of payment. Most mortgage lenders won’t accept a personal check or money order, so make sure you know what they prefer so you can prepare how you will transfer the funds in advance. Once you’ve confirmed the correct required amount, here are some common ways your title company may accept your payment.

• Certified check
• Cashier’s check
• Wire transfer

4. Consider Your Mortgage Repayment Strategy

It can be unnerving to come to terms with the fact that you’re about to make one of the biggest purchases of your life. But with New Tradition Homes, you’re never alone. We work with trusted lenders who will make sure you select the best financing option for your situation. A couple of pieces of great advice for tackling your mortgage payment anxiety is to first remember you’re not just spending your savings, you’re investing it in real estate (a good investment that only appreciates over time). Secondly, paying just one extra month of your mortgage towards your principal each year can build equity faster. For example, if your mortgage is $1,500, just save an extra $125 each month and then pay that extra payment towards the principal only.

5. Review Your Closing Disclosure In Advance

You’ll absolutely want to do your due diligence in all aspects of the home-buying process. This is especially important when it comes to your closing documents. One is the Closing Disclosure, which is a form that lays out the details of your loan, fees, insurance, interest rate, and estimated monthly payments. You’ll receive this information before closing, so to feel extra confident in your purchase, take a moment to review the Closing Disclosure in advance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a checklist guide of how to check for any problems and flag them. Some things you’ll likely confirm are:

• The interest rate
• The loan type, amount, and terms
• The spelling of your name, address, and contact info
• Any seller concessions, fee coverage, and warranties

6. Know the Common House Closing Documents

Planning ahead is never a bad idea, especially for the day of closing on a house. Here are some common closing documents you’ll likely see and need to review and sign at the closing table.

• Property Transfer Forms
• The Affidavit of Title
• The Mortgage
• Mortgage Application
• Promissory Note
• Closing Disclosure
• Flood Insurance Disclosure
• Escrow Documents or Waivers

7. Arrive Early to Closing

Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your closing day meeting and expect it to last less than an hour. There will be a few papers to sign and items you’ll need to bring, which you’ll learn about from our handy closing checklist below.

1. Connect With The Closing Agent

Call the office of your closing agent and check if they have any special instructions for you.

2. Review Your Documents

You should get your documents three business days before closing, so make sure you read and understand. Make a list of any questions or concerns you want to address.

3. Prepare Commonly Needed Items

• Photo Identification - a driver’s license, passport, or government-issued photo ID
• Final Payments/Closing Costs - confirm with the escrow company how these should be paid
• Proof of Homeowners Insurance
• Closing Disclosure - compare this with the final paperwork
• Home Inspection Reports

4. Check the Basic Info & Fees

Address of the home, spelling, numbers, names, etc. Make sure everything is accurate on the paperwork as well as the fees associated with your home purchase (aka closing costs).

5. Prepare Your Closing Funds

6. Select Homeowners Insurance

7. Review Seller Responsibilities & Warranties

Review your seller’s final walk-through checklist and review any home builder warranties. With New Tradition Homes, our homes include a 2-10 extended limited warranty. You’ll receive a warranty package with details at your orientation.

Whether it’s your first home or your 10th, having a closing checklist handy and knowing what to expect on closing day is crucial for any new home purchase. No matter what, New Tradition Homes takes your home-buying experience seriously. This list of tips is just one way we’ll make buying your new home go smoothly. Still on the fence? Browse our communities and available homes throughout Washington State, then let us know if you have any questions! We look forward to assisting you.