Questions to Ask When Closing on Your New Home

Whether you’re purchasing your first home, or what you hope will be your last home, preparing for closing is a lot of hard work. You have to secure financing, schedule home inspections, make moving arrangements, and sign a lot of paperwork. There’s nothing like finding the perfect home, but preparing to close can be a little overwhelming.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team of professionals at First National Title. At First National, title insurance and closing are our specialties, and we’re here to help you get ready. Here are a few key questions that you should ask as you get started:

When should I schedule closing?

Closing near the end of the month can save you some money on closing costs, but be sure to leave a couple of days at the end of the month to resolve any unexpected issues. If you’re renting, you’ll probably want to close a few days before the end of your lease.

What do I need to do to prepare for closing?

Your realtor, lender, and title company will assist you with paperwork, and it’s their job to answer your questions. Don’t be embarrassed to ask as many questions as you want, and don’t sign any paperwork until you understand all of the terms. You should also invest in title insurance to protect yourself from title defects. If a title is in dispute due to unpaid property taxes, unknown heirs, or misfiled paperwork, you won’t have to pay unexpected legal fees out of pocket.

What (and who) do I need to bring to closing?

By the time that you get to the closing table, you typically only need to bring a cashier’s check for your down payment with you, if the funds aren’t automatically transferred. Your realtor and any other parties to the contract should also be present. If you are married, it is necessary to bring your spouse as well, as he or she will in all likelihood have paperwork to execute as well.

Closing on a new home is an important step in your life, and the best way to ensure that the process runs smoothly is to be prepared. First National Title is proud to be Arkansas’ title insurance leader, and we’re always available to help you prepare for closing. Click here to contact us, or visit one of our 9 convenient Arkansas locations!