Not only do you have to go through the approval process, which can be stressful all on its own; you also have to finalize the deal and close everything so its all legal and ready to go. There’s no magic formula that’s designed to take all the stress or unforeseen obstacles out of getting a mortgage, but if you know some of the potential issues ahead of time, you may be able to move through the process with little or no stress.
Make a List
One of the more annoying things about a process like this, is that it’s easy to think of a ton of pertinent questions when you are sitting in traffic or out grocery shopping, but you draw a blank when it’s time to ask. Make it easy on yourself and carry around a small notebook and pen, or use your mobile device to type questions as they pop into your head.
Whether the question is for the real estate agent or your lender, you’ll have it there in front of you so you can ask when you speak with them. Sometimes, the questions you ask ahead of time will provide information that will make finalizing the mortgage deal easier than if you’d kept the question to yourself.
Take One Last Look
You may have gone through the new house multiple times and had a home inspector do his thing, but it’s not a bad idea to walk through the house one last time a couple days before the closing date. This is more of a “better safe than sorry” kind of approach, but it’s not completely unheard of for people to change things that were supposed to remain the same or take things they were supposed to leave before the deal closes.
It’s also a good time to see if any new damage has occurred, especially if there has been bad weather since the last time you were there. Check to ensure the electricity is working well and the plumbing seems good. If the present homeowner was supposed to make any fixes or do renovations before you moved in, you should check for those improvements too. If things aren’t as they should be in any part of the property, contact your real estate agent right away to have the issue rectified before the deal is closed.
Check the Document Preparation
All of the documents prepared as part of your real estate deal were drawn up by professionals, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look them over a handful of times before closing. In all likelihood the information will be just as it should be, but no one is perfect and you certainly won’t have a stress-free closing if something is wrong.
Check over the wording, all the names for spelling and all the digits for accuracy. The interest rate is also important to check. Don’t just assume that any mistakes will be fixed later and everything will be fine. That may well be the case, but give your lender a call immediately if you notice any issues or even if certain information doesn’t make sense to you. Also, keep a copy of every page of every document you sign.
Call the Utilities
If you want to move into your new home right after the mortgage closes, or even within a few days you should call the utilities ahead of time. If you’re moving to a new area and aren’t sure about which utility companies are used, ask the seller for the names and then get them transferred into your name so there’s a smooth, stress-free transition when you move in. This way, if there will be any delays or issues they can be dealt with before you get there.
Keeping Up with Costs
If you have ever purchased a home before, you know there can be a laundry list of closing costs that the buyer never saw coming. Inspection fees, attorney fees, deposits, etc, they all add up and they can be quite stressful when you think you’re home free and the deal is done. Make a point of finding out what the closing costs will be ahead of time, so you’re ready when they spring them on you. The number you get might not be 100 percent accurate, but it will be close and you’ll be prepared.
Author Bio:
Jonathan Baker is an active blogger who writes about business and finance. He lives in Toronto with his family and also works as a financial adviser to The Butler Mortgage team. He keeps himself about the latest trends in finance and business world and passes on these information to others through his blogs. He can be followed on twitter @Jonatha97039368Image
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