Pre-closing: Your Pre-closing Responsibilities

Once you and the seller have signed a purchase agreements and the title has been cleared, you have several responsibilities to fulfill your contingencies and prepare for closing:

• Secure Financing
• Schedule Inspection
• Gather Funds for Deposit
• Final Walkthrough
• Switch Utilities

Secure Financing
If you’ve already been pre-approved, securing your financing will be very simple. Just provide your lender with the information about the property you want to buy. The bank will send an appraiser to look at the property and make sure it’s worth the price you’re paying for it. They’ll complete a Uniform Residential Appraisal Report, Form 1004, which is Fannie Mae’s standardized form for home appraisals. Then they’ll formally approve the loan and give you a commitment letter to bring to the closing. Typically, you’ll be responsible for paying for the appraisal unless you work out a deal with the seller. The lender will usually request the payment upfront, but sometimes you can pay at your closing.

Schedule Inspection
You’ll need to hire an independent inspector to assess the property and cover your investment within the timeframe you and the seller agreed to in your offer contract. If you’ve included a contingency in your contract about the property passing an inspection, you’ll have a chance to back out if the inspector finds serious issues.

Tips for getting an inspection >>
What does an inspector look for? >>

Gather Funds for Deposit
Unfortunately, you won’t know the specific amount you need to bring to your closing until a day or two prior because the escrow company won’t be able to give you the exact amount until all your loan documents are finalized. But you’ve already received a good faith estimate from your lender, so be sure you have enough seasoned funds based on that amount.

Gathering your deposit funds >>

You’ll need to provide a certified check or certified wire transfer at your closing (no personal checks). Once you know the exact amount you need to bring, be ready to request a certified check from your bank.

Final Walkthrough
Your agent will schedule a final walkthrough of the property within one week of your closing date. This is to ensure the property is in the same condition it was in when you last saw it, and is your last chance to spot any issues you want addressed. Be as thorough as possible.

What to do at your final walkthrough >>

Switch Utilities
Contact all utility companies prior to closing to inform them that beginning on your close date, all bills must be switched to your name. Otherwise, you could end up without power or water for a period of time while they switch accounts over.