A Guide to the Settlement Statement
Youre about to cross the finish line in your home selling process. There are just a few more steps that you need to complete before you hand over the keys to the home. During the home closing, the primary document you and your buyer will be dealing with is the settlement statement (also called the closing statement). This is a document that lists out the fees and charges that you, as the seller, and the buyer are required to pay in the housing transaction.
The settlement statement is prepared either by the buyers lender or the escrow agent. Regardless of who prepares the statement, that person is required to follow pertinent federal guidelines. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, the governing law for closing processing in housing transactions.
It is important that you pay close attention to the settlement statement as the for sale by owner seller because it will list out the costs for which you and the buyer are responsible. Most likely, you and the buyer have already negotiated which of you will be paying which closing costs. You must review the settlement statement to ensure these costs have been assigned to the correct party.
Usually, the settlement statement is broken down into two pages. The first page summarizes payments to be made in the housing transaction. Included is the sales price of the home, settlement charges that the borrower must pay, tax adjustments, settlement charges the seller (you) must pay, first mortgage payoff amount, and total amount of cash the borrower (the buyer) must pay to the seller.
The second page of the settlement statement lists the settlement charges that you and the buyer are required to pay. This page is where your previous closing cost negotiations will appear. Your sales contract should also list these charges and to whom the charges were assigned. There will be a group of charges that are related to processing the mortgage, whether it is a new mortgage or an assumed one. Typical fees are the loan origination fee, appraisal fee, lenders inspection fee, assumption fee, and underwriting fees.
The mortgage lender often requires some interest and insurance premiums to be paid in advance. Usually paid by the buyer, these fees are also listed on the second page of the settlement statement. Other mortgage related costs include reserves that are deposited to set up an escrow account. These charges are assigned to the buyer.
Another group of fees included in the settlement statement are related to guaranteeing the legitimacy of the title: title search, title insurance, document preparation, notary fees, and attorney fees. Refer to the sales contract for the agreements made pertaining to these fees.
Government fees include recording fees, tax and stamps and are usually negotiated in the sales contract.
The final group of charges is miscellaneous charges that were not included in previous sections of the settlement statement. For example, a pest inspection requested by the buyer is a miscellaneous charge.
The settlement charges are totaled and entered on the first page in the summary information on the first page of the settlement statement.
Related Tags: guide, settlement, to, owner, for, sale, by, the, statement
T. J. Madigan has been established in online business since 1998 and is director of a number of successful online projects. For more information on Marketing you can view a selection of business related articles at Articles.net.au - your source for free Articles, Information and Website Content.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- The Beginning of the Cataloging Code
The first significant cataloging code was published in 1841. The realization that cooperation and s - In the Lap of the Gods 24
Life moved on. Lily became well liked by both students and staff because of her cheerful outlook on - In the Lap of the Gods 23
Does fate decide the future? Is it all mapped out for us, predestined, or can we influence what com - Write Your Memoir: How to Write About What Troubles You the Most
Everyone has a story to tell, and unfortunately those stories aren't always pleasant. What makes me - How Crafty Word Order Can Instantly Improve Your Writing
by Philip Yaffe I am usually very reticent about offering writing tips. Unless they are linked to - You Say Grandpa, I Say Deda
I was born with two grandmothers but only one grandfather. In nature's rules of familial supply and - My Russian American Dichotomy
I was a Russian girl and an American teenager. I had no choice about the first but I tried very har - In the Lap of the Gods 22
This is just an explanation for those who have read some of the other Chapters of, "In the Lap of t - Write a Book: 8 Reasons You Should Do it
Studies have shown that 82% of people want to write a book, but few of these actually ever achieve - Book Review: the Book of Common Prayer
Book Review: The Book of Common Prayer, "My carry-with-me copy is this size, and I recommend it for
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Real Estate Investment - Investing In Commercial Properties
As in any other type of investment, its obviously advisable to do your research well so that the pro - Taking Care Of Acne Prone Skin With Proper Skin Care Products
Although acne has been largely associated with teeners and puberty, the condition is not only confin - Do I Really Need Eight Hours Of Sleep Each Night?
What if you were told that there is no definitive answer for why we need to sleep? Your initial reac - How to Improve Your FICO Credit Score
If you didn't know this already, having a good credit score is more important than having a lot of c - 10 Tips for a Magnificent Memory
"Where did I leave my keys?" "What did I come in here for?" "Your glasses are on top of your head!" - Things You Might Like To Know About Card Companies
If you have a regular income and are 18 or over then you may be able to get a credit card. You will - Bad Breath in Babies and Toddlers
If your baby or toddler has had bad breath lately, not to worry. There are plenty of things you can - Starving College Students No More
The majority of today's college students are extremely Internet savvy. In fact, many of those studen - Cosmetic Surgery Financing: How Can You Get It?
Cosmetic surgery, a branch of plastic surgery, can be quite expensive, especially if you are plannin - Article Marketing, Improve Your Ranking With Links
Article Marketing, without a doubt remains the best free formula for attracting website traffic. At