The holidays are fast approaching, and many home buyers are aiming to get into contract and purchase their new home before the end of the year. It’s still a competitive market, and it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll have to dodge multiple bank holidays en route to your closing.
Pass the pumpkin pie…and ho, ho, ho. If you’re not prepared to jump on the fast track to completing your purchase, drama can ensue.
Here are five ways to avoid major closing delays between now and the end of the year:
1. Be ready to pay for your appraisal. In order to meet a fast appraisal approval turnaround, the lender has to order the appraisal immediately. You should be sufficiently committed to the property to pay for your appraisal within the first day of offer acceptance.
2. Don’t switch your bank accounts around. The lender will typically require re-verification of all money you wire into escrow for your cash balance. If that money is suddenly coming from an account previously undisclosed during your preapproval period, the lender will demand that you provide documentation for that account. The statements will then have to be resubmitted and reviewed by underwriting while time is ticking.
3. Make sure your cash balance is liquid and ready to be transferred to the escrow account. The lender will want to see that the balance of your down payment and closing costs have been wired into the escrow account prior to funding the loan. Best strategy? Wire in that cash balance a few days prior to close of escrow to ensure that your loan funds on time.
4. Watch the AMEX charges. Lenders are picky about American Express credit card balances. If you have a high balance on your AMEX, a lender may want to see proof that you have the money to pay off that balance in full. This proof of funds should be separate from the funds you’ll need to pay your cash balance and any reserves required.
5. Lock in your homeowners insurance early. These days, you should be consulting with an insurer before you even write an offer on a particular property. And after the seller accepts your offer, immediately get back in touch with the insurer to put a policy in place.