Closing on Your Home? Review Your Closing Disclosure Like a Pro

Before finalizing your home purchase, examining your pre-closing disclosure is essential. This document outlines your loan details, costs, and other critical financial information. By understanding it entirely, you can ensure no surprises at closing.

It’s your right to review this form at least three days before your scheduled closing to confirm everything is as expected. Let’s explain why this document is critical to a smooth home-buying experience and how to review it effectively.

Understanding Your Closing Disclosure

When you're close to buying a home, reviewing your pre-closing disclosure is essential. This document details the terms of your mortgage, including your loan amount, interest rate, and monthly payments. It also outlines your closing costs and shows how much money you need to bring on closing day.

The pre-closing disclosure should arrive at least three days before your scheduled closing. This gives you time to review all the information and ensure everything is correct. Look for errors in your personal details, loan amount, or interest rate, and check that the fees align with what you were expecting.

Understanding this document helps you prepare for the final steps in purchasing your home, ensuring no surprises at closing.

Detailed Review of Each Part of the Closing Disclosure

The Closing Disclosure is a vital document you receive before closing on a home. It details the final terms and costs of your mortgage. Understanding each page can help ensure there are no surprises at closing.

Page One: General Information

This page provides an overview of your loan. It lists your loan terms, monthly payments, and total closing costs. Verify all personal information, loan amount, interest rate, and loan type to ensure everything matches your expectations and prior agreements.

Page Two: Loan Costs and Other Costs

Here, you'll see a breakdown of all costs associated with your loan. This includes the lender's fees, the cost of required services like appraisals, and optional services such as rate lock fees. It also details taxes, government fees, and prepayments for homeowner’s insurance and property taxes.

Page Three: Calculating Cash to Close

This section shows the amount you must pay at closing, including your down payment and any fees or credits. It compares these figures to your initial Loan Estimate to show any changes. Check for accuracy to avoid unexpected costs.

Page Four: Additional Information About the Loan

Additional details about your mortgage include penalty fees for late payments and whether your loan has an escrow account for paying property taxes and insurance. Understanding these terms can help you manage your loan effectively post-closing.

Page Five: Loan Calculations, Other Disclosures, Contact Information

The final page provides calculations that show the total cost of your loan over its term, including how much interest you will pay. It also lists disclosures relating to appraisal and insurance requirements and the contact information for your lender, real estate broker, and closing agent.

Common Errors in Pre-Closing Disclosures

Discover common mistakes in pre-closing disclosures and learn to spot inaccuracies in personal details, loan terms, fees, and escrow calculations before finalizing your home purchase.

Incorrect Personal Details

One of the most frequent errors in a pre-closing disclosure is incorrect personal information. This can include name misspellings, wrong addresses, or errors in loan co-signer details.

To avoid complications in yourhome-buying process, you must check all personal information thoroughly.

Loan and Financial Discrepancies

Loan amounts, interest rates, and other financial details should be reviewed carefully. Sometimes, the pre-closing disclosure figures may not match those agreed upon or previously stated in your loan estimate. This can affect your monthly payments and total loan costs.

Inaccurate Fee Listings

Fees can sometimes be listed incorrectly. Common issues include duplicating fees, listing fees that were already waived, or incorrect calculation of prepaid items like property taxes and homeowners' insurance. Review each fee and cost, ensuring they align with your initial loan estimate and discussions with your lender.

Escrow Errors

Errors in the escrow section of your disclosure are common. This part of the document outlines the payments to be held in escrow for property taxes and insurance.

Errors might be due to outdated property tax rates or incorrect insurance amounts. Verify these figures to ensure your escrow account is set up correctly.

Taking Action After Reviewing Your Closing Disclosure

Once you've reviewed your pre-closing disclosure, you must respond promptly if you discover any discrepancies or errors.

What to Do If You Find Errors

Suppose you discover any discrepancies in your pre-closing disclosure, such as incorrect loan amounts,misspelt names, or incorrect interest rates.

In that case,addressing these issues promptly is essential to ensure they are corrected before you close on your home. Follow these steps:

Contact Your Lender Immediately

When you identify an error, contact your lender or closing agent immediately. It's crucial to communicate the specific errors you have identified clearly and concisely. This immediate action will help prevent delays in your closing process.

Document Your Concerns

After notifying your lender verbally, follow up with a written notice detailing the errors. This documentation will serve as a formal record of your communication and is helpful should any disputes arise later. Ensure this document is clear and lists all discrepancies you've found.

Follow Up Regularly

Stay in consistent contact with your lender to monitor the progress of the corrections. Correcting these errors might require several conversations or emails. Being persistent and keeping track of all communications will help ensure that all issues are resolved promptly.

Preparing for the Closing Day

Closing day is a significant event—the final paperwork is signed, and the property officially becomes yours. To ensure everything goes smoothly, here’s how you can prepare:

Review the Final Documents

You will receive your transaction's final set of documents a few days before closing. Carefully review these documents to ensureall prior corrections have been made and no new errors have emerged. Pay close attention to the details of the mortgage agreement and the deed.

Gather Necessary Documents

Ensure you bring all necessary documents to the closing. This typically includes your identification, any documents previously requested by your closing agent, and proof of funds for payments you may need to make. Also, prepare any expenses required for the closing costs, including down payments or other fees, if these have not already been handled.

Ask Questions

Do not hesitate to ask questions if you encounter anything in the documents you do not understand. You must fully understand every aspect of the closing documents before signing. Your real estate agent, lawyer, or closing agent can provide clarifications, ensuring you are fully informed.

Confirm the Appointment

Double-check the details of your closing appointment—the time, date, and location. Make sure you know exactly where you need to be and when, and confirm who will be present at the meeting. It’s also wise to plan your route and consider potential delays to ensure you arrive on time.

Ensure Smooth Closing with Informed Decisions

Reviewing your pre-closing disclosure is vital as you prepare to close on your new home. This document provides a detailed account of your loan terms and associated costs.

Taking the time to understand each section prevents unexpected issues and ensures that your financial commitments are clear. For further assistance understanding your closing documents, consider contacting Lend Go. They can provide expert guidance and help make your home-buying process seamless.