Buying a home is an exciting event. The long anticipated day arrives and your real estate agent is making small talk with you and the seller while you wait for the title company closer to arrive. The phone rings and the closer cancels the closing. The phone rings again and the bank has discovered that another paper needs to be signed. The deal is off for today.

Your closing doesn’t have to be ruined by the lack of foresight in those you thought were committed to doing their part. A little foresight of your own can save the day.

Contact your loan officer at least two weeks before the closing date. Ask him or her to double check the loan to make sure it’s been approved and ready to go. Any hidden hitches should have shown up by now and there’s still time to take care of them. It would be a good idea to visit the bank or other lending institution in person to inquire about the status of your loan. Loan officers are busy and you don’t want your call lost or forgotten. The last thing you want at your closing are any last minute surprises.
Many loans are now handled by nonlocal or online financial institutions. A phone call will have to accomplish what you can’t take care of in person. Make sure you talk to someone who has the authority to check your loan. If you have to leave a message or send an email, follow up.

To make sure your closing doesn’t play second fiddle to other real estate closings or another client, use the services of a title company who specializes in closing real estate transactions. The best way to go about this is to ask the title company for copies of all your closing documents at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled closing.

Make sure your closing isn’t ruined by a bad lender or title company and enjoy what should be a very exciting time in your life.