Before Universal comes into the picture, there are quite a few steps to buying a home that will happen first, such as: choosing a buyer’s agent to represent you, scheduling property showings, and attending an open house or two. After you find your dream home, negotiate an offer, and execute the Agreement of Sale - that’s when we come in. The buyer’s agent or lender (if you’re financing) will send us your signed agreement and any other pertinent details to start the title and settlement process. Remember, YOU can choose your settlement company, so it doesn’t hurt to do your own research.

The day we receive your Agreement of Sale is when our Processing Team will order the Title Search. We work closely with abstractors local to the subject property who will carefully comb through public records as far back as 60 years to detail the background on the home you’re purchasing. At this time, we will also order all tax certificates to ensure there are no back taxes that need to be paid.

After we receive your contact information from your realtor and/or lender, our Buyer Coordinator, Jade, will connect with you to introduce our Client Coordinator Team and outline any pertinent details related to the closing process. Jade will be with you every step of the way and will assist with scheduling the most convenient date, time, and location for settlement. Some FAQs Jade can assist with include: What do I need to bring with me on Closing Day? Who should I make my cashier’s check payable to, and for what amount? What if I can’t attend closing?

In return, you can expect to provide Jade with your marital status and how you’d like to hold title, how you intend to bring your certified funds to closing, and any other unique details that could affect your settlement (are you selling a home? Are you going through a divorce? Do you currently live out of state?)

We are here to walk you through any questions you may have along the way.

A crucial step in our behind-the-scenes process is gathering fees and invoices from various parties involved. The following is a brief list of a few items we request:

• The deposit amount and who is holding it

• Realtor fees (commission and/or broker/transaction fees)

• Final water & sewer readings

• Inspections or miscellaneous invoices to be paid at closing such as the home or pest inspection, deed preparation, etc.

After the abstractor provides us with the title search, our Processing Team will prepare the Title Commitment. The Title Commitment typically includes information about the property such as the legal description, ownership history, any liens, encumbrances, and/or easements on the property, and any restrictions on its use. It also outlines any requirements that must be met before the title insurance policy can be issued, such as the payment of outstanding taxes or the resolution of any title defects. This provides assurance to the buyer and lender that the title to the property is free and clear, and that through the title insurance policy, they are protected against any unexpected title defects that may arise after the sale is completed.

Many home buyers choose to obtain a mortgage to finance their real estate purchase. Throughout the transaction, our team will work closely with your lender to ensure that all the closing figures line up as expected. The lender will provide our Closing Team with the loan documents that will be the bulk of what you sign at the closing table. Generally, the lender will set the pace for the transaction. It is important that you stay in close contact with your lender and provide any documentation they request in a timely manner to ensure there are no delays with settlement.

A few key items to be aware of and note before closing:

1. DO NOT make any large purchases that could affect your credit – discuss this with your lender.

2. Remember to bring an unexpired state-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport) to closing.

3. Confirm your name is spelled correctly on EVERY document you receive and sign.

4. If you are unable to attend closing, let us know as soon as possible so we can work with you to come up with an alternative solution.

5. You will need CERTIFIED FUNDS for your closing costs, whether that is a cashier’s check payable to Universal Settlement Services or a wire transfer. If the latter, please let us know as soon as possible so we can walk you through the crucial steps to avoiding WIRE FRAUD in the process.

Congratulations! If you’ve reached #ClosingDay, that means you’ve survived offer negotiations, reply to inspections, mortgage commitment, and the final walkthrough. Now it’s time to meet with our Closing Representative – make sure your signing hand is well rested! This is a time for celebration, and we are so thrilled to share this experience with you!

Signing the closing package is one of the last steps to legally owning your new home. After you leave our office, our Funding Team closes out your file and submits all signed and required documentation to the lender to fund your loan and disburse proceeds to the sellers.

A lot happens post-closing - and we don’t just mean getting to paint your kitchen and unpack your boxes. After settlement, we record the new deed for the property, issue your title policy, and send out any checks relevant to your file. Beware: a common misconception is that you receive your deed and title policy at closing – this can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to process and receive. We will provide you with the originals and can always provide electronic copies if requested.

Should you have any questions post-closing, from settlement inquiries to random mail requesting payment, give us a call – we are always here for you and happy to assist.

We can’t thank you enough for trusting Universal to guide you throughout the title process – it’s our honor to meet you at the closing table!