Overview Introduction Settlement Agent How we prepare What you need to do Homestead law Title insurance Seller's tasks What to bring At the closing Closing documents After the closing

What you need to do before the closing

There are several things that you need to do before the closing.  If you do not accomplish each item on this list in a timely manner your closing may be delayed. 

• We need you to verify the spelling of the names of all the buyers/mortgagors and provide us with Social Security numbers for each.  Click here to use our on-line response form.

• You need to arrange for homeowners insurance and obtain a binder and receipt to bring to the closing.  Contact your insurance agent about this as soon as possible.  (An “insurance binder” is documentation of the policy, not the policy itself, which states the policy coverage amount and the date it will take effect.)  The binder must show that the policy provides 100 percent replacement coverage and name as a co-insured the Lender, its successors and assigns as their interests may appear.  You need to report this premium to us as soon as you know it, but at least five days before the closing.  Click here to use our on-line response form.

• If your new home is located in a federally-designated flood zone, you will also need to purchase flood insurance.  Flood insurance is sponsored through a federal program and can be obtained through most insurance agents that deal with homeowners insurance.

• You need to decide if you want to purchase an owner’s title insurance policy.  As part of the closing, your lender will require you to purchase a lender’s title insurance policy, but this policy will not cover you in the event of a loss.  We will prepare an owner’s policy for you unless you let us know you do not want it. 

What is title insurance and why do you need it?