Buyer's Closing Information

Time Table

Prior to your scheduled closing date, I will retrieve and submit the following documents for the closing: the 6D Certificate (a notarized document verifying that all condominium fees and any and all special assessments in the condominium association are up to date for the month of the closing), the Condominium Association's Master Insurance Policy Certificate, and the City of Boston Fire Dept's Smoke Detector Certificate. I will deliver all of these documents to the lender's closing attorney.

The week just prior to the closing is when your mortgage company's underwriter actually prepares all the documents, verifies the accuracy of the HUD Statement commonly known as the closing or settlement statement, reviews the deed and actually funds the closing. If this is a cash deal your legal counsel will prepare the closing documents. Either way, I will continue to be in touch regularly throughout the entire transaction in an effort to monitor the process and to generally assure the process proceeds smoothly and ultimately closes without incident. However, from here on in the mortgage company is in the driver's seat!

Call your attorney about a week before closing to schedule the actual closing date, time and location in an effort to avoid any problems with your schedule. If you are not going to attend the closing, have your attorney prepare "Power of Attorney" as well as a wire transfer which will save you time and aggravation...these steps must be done well in advance! You will need certified funds for the actual closing. The closing usually takes place at the lender's attorney's office or the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds near Government Center and is usually about 1-2 hours depending upon the transaction. If this is a cash deal the closing will most likely take place at one of the attorney's office or the Registry of Deeds. Don't forget your driver's license, state issued photo identification or passport and certified funds. For directions to your closing please click here: Google Maps.

We should schedule a walk through of your new home. This should be scheduled just hours prior to the actual closing time. Please call me once you have the exact closing date, time and location so that I may schedule this and arrange to have all available keys for you at the closing. About three (3) days prior to the closing, you should request a copy of the HUD Statement. Unfortunately, the attorney's will usually not have this prepared until about 48 hours prior to the closing. The HUD statement will document the transaction in detail and will inform you of the total amount due at the closing. If you have any questions in regards to the HUD statement, please call your attorney immediately!

Please feel free to review my Moving Tips for recommendations and suggestions as well as to arrange on-line transfer of your utilities, newspapers, parking permits and information in regards to street cleaning, trash disposal, and rental garages. If you are considering any renovations please review my list of Trusted Vendors. Lastly, if you are also selling a home you might want to review the Sellers Closing Information. You should also consider securing "Home Owner's Insurance" in addition to the master insurance policy. Again, the experiences of most of my clients have shown that it has been advantageous to be insured by the same insurance carrier that covers the condominium association in an effort to avoid any discrepancies in the actual coverage. More importantly, it has proven to be less time consuming and frustrating in the unfortunate event of a loss or damage to the property. Consider a "Replacement Value" insurance policy versus ACV or "Actual Cash Value". Replacement value is slightly more expensive but in my opinion, an absolute must. I will research the contact information for the condominium association's insurance carrier if you email: Rich@RichHaen.com or call my cell at (617) 283-5044. The following is a list of local insurance agencies I am comfortable recommending...please feel free to request references:

I hope that this has proven to be worthwhile for you. My intention is to make this process as smooth as possible so that you may feel comfortable with all of your decisions. If there is anything else that I can help you with now or in the future, please do not hesitate to call on me. I am available to you on my cell at 617 283-5044 or email at: Rich@RichHaen.com. Your comments are truly important to me. I welcome any comments, suggestions or additional contacts you would like me to add to this list.

Neither REMAX nor its agents assume any responsibility for the services of the aforementioned parties. This list is simply a matter of courtesy, consult your yellow pages for additional companies. We strongly suggest that you contact the Better Business Bureau @ 617 426-9000 or write The BBB @ 20 Park Plaza, Suite 820, Boston MA 02116-4404 (www.bbb.org).