| The real estate closing was at the title company. | | | | home in any case, so it was only fair that he pay. |
| The seller was nervous, because she had to do it | | | | He couldn't expect the seller to give him $150 |
| without her husband, who had moved months | | | | worth of free propane. Unfortunately, that's |
| before to start his new job. I was a new real | | | | exactly what he expected. |
| estate agent, young and inexperienced. The buyer | | | | "I'll walk out of here before I pay for that!" he |
| was a grumpy old man. | | | | announced, turning red. The seller began to cry. |
| She showed me the closing statement. Of course | | | | The closing agent tried again to convince the man |
| I had seen it, but she wanted to point out that | | | | that this was fair. He again refused. |
| they owed more than what they would get from | | | | "I don't care!" the seller almost yelled. "I'll give him |
| their home. She would get a few hundred dollars | | | | the propane." The closing agent left the room to |
| from the closing proceeds, but she still owed | | | | change all the documents to reflect the new |
| $1,000 to her grandmother, for help with the | | | | agreement. The seller was losing another $150 on |
| down payment. She didn't know where she would | | | | her home. She wiped her tears and said, "I hope |
| get the money. | | | | there's nothing else." Fortunately, there wasn't. |
| This wasn't my fault, of course, and she knew | | | | Preparing For A Real Estate Closing |
| that. They had just bought the home a year | | | | I never did like being a real estate agent. But as |
| earlier and had put very little down on it. They | | | | you can imagine, after that I was at least more |
| hadn't had time to build equity before her | | | | prepared for real estate closings. Here are some |
| husband's job transfer came in, and my | | | | of the ways that you can be too. |
| commission, along with the closing costs, ate what | | | | 1. Ask your real estate agent what will happen at |
| little there was. It was just that she found all this | | | | the closing, and make a list. Call the closing |
| out this morning. The title company didn't have | | | | company to verify that this is correct, and that it |
| the closing statement ready until the last moment. | | | | is everything. |
| In any case, she was happier than she had been | | | | 2. Make sure the other party to the transaction |
| lately, because the home was finally sold and she | | | | understands everything the same way you do. |
| would soon be joining her husband. The buyer, on | | | | Ask your agent to do this if necessary. |
| the other hand, wasn't happy at all. | | | | 3. Have everything you need (papers, cashiers |
| "What's this charge here?" he asked the title | | | | check, keys, etc) ready the day before closing, |
| company representative who was doing the | | | | and check with your real estate or closing |
| closing. She explained that it was for the propane | | | | company agent to verify that you have what |
| in the tank. The seller had paid $300 to have the | | | | you need. |
| tank filled, and it was still half full. It was standard | | | | 4. When agreeing to use a closing company, |
| procedure to have the buyer pay for any | | | | make it clear that you will only use one that has |
| propane still in the tank. | | | | closing statements ready at least two days |
| "I'm not paying that $150!" he insisted. The agent | | | | before closing. This way you can resolve any |
| who had sold him the home patiently explained | | | | issues that come up before there are tears at |
| that he would have to buy propane to heat the | | | | the closing table. |