Buying a home is an exciting and exhilarating time. However, the escrow period, also known as the closing, can take even the most easygoing home buyer to the brink of insanity. Here are some tips from top real estate agents and loan officers to help you get through the escrow process without losing your cool.
Utilize Your Professionals:
Trust your real estate agent to walk you through the entire process. Rely on them to do their job, but don’t be afraid to express any anxieties, and lean on them during negotiations and inspections. Your additional trusted partner is your mortgage professional. They know how important the financing piece is to this equation and they will be sure to know your timeline and be available to answer questions and assist you throughout this process.
Stay Organized:
Chaos rarely inspires confidence. Stay on top of all paperwork and make sure you sign and return everything to your lender promptly to eliminate delays. The lender and escrow company want the sale to close in a timely fashion, too, so don’t slow them down by being disorganized or failing to return important documentation such as income tax information or bank statements.
Maintain A Healthy Perspective:
No home is perfect, so be prepared for inspections that bring some daunting news. Ask to be present when the inspections are performed. The more information you have about your prospective home, the better you will be prepared to negotiate for repairs before they surprise you in the future. Ask for credits and repairs as needed, but try to remain objective. Some seemingly minor fixer projects can lead to a much longer time table. You may decide that, when considering the bigger picture and a timely transaction, a couple thousand dollars might not actually be worth negotiating.
Be Flexible:
Retain as much flexibility as possible during the closing process and focus on the big picture, rather than all of the details. When opening escrow, ask your agent to give you an overview of the expected timeline from beginning to end. Knowing what to expect, and when as well as being aware of projected milestones goes a long way in reducing anxiety. You can, and should, ask to be notified when important milestones are reached. While you might have it penciled in on your calendar, it’s common for closing dates to change. Instead of thinking of your closing date as set in stone, think of it as a flexible target. Do not book movers until the last minute, so you won’t be stressed if your belongings are all packed in a truck and the escrow date is set forward a day or two.
Don’t forget to breathe!:
This is an important time to take care of yourself. Take a run, meditate, or do yoga. Read a book or enjoy a hobby. Moving can be a physically taxing event, so take the time now to relax before the big move.
MFM Bankers Can Help Aid with This Process: If you need assistance during the home buying escrow process, MFM Bankers is here to help. As a trusted mortgage company, we can guide you through the financing piece and ensure a stress-less closing. Contact me today to learn more.
