Monthly Archives

November 2018

Finance,

What to Bring to Closing

by Lisa ReichNovember 21, 2018no comment

What to bring to closing

What happens between the loan objection deadline and closing?

There are parts of the transaction where you as the Buyer may feel like there is a lot of movement.  With me as your agent, you shouldn’t feel stressed during these times. I will get you ready for your real estate closing. Before we arrive at the title company to perform the closing, you will need to compile some additional documentation and get ready to sign a lot of documents (if you are securing the home purchase with a loan).

Here is an easy list of what you will need to have on hand for closing:

  • You will need to know your Social Security number (or Tax Identification Number) to complete IRS documents at the closing table. If you do not have it memorized, please bring additional paperwork.
  • You will need your driver’s license, a Colorado identification card, or passport. Whichever form you decide to bring make sure it is current (NOT expired).
    • If there has been a change of marital status, let the closer know before you get to the closing table. You will need to provide a marriage license or divorce decree.
  • As stated in an earlier blog,
  • You will need to know how you are transferring money to the Title Company (either wire transfer or cashier’s check). If you would like to wire the funds to the title company, please call me. I can help you avoid the scammers that are trying to steal your money.

Whether you are a first-time home Buyer or a seasoned Buyer being prepared for closing can lower your stress level.

Finance,

What to Expect at a Closing

by Lisa ReichNovember 14, 2018no comment

What to Expect at closing

Arriving at the title company to sign all the real estate documents to purchase your home can be stressful – this is one of the largest purchase you will ever make.  So I am here to tell you exactly what it will be like.

First, you will be greeted by your closer and the closer will show you to a conference room.  The closer will generally sit at the head of the table for ease of passing documents back and froth from the Buyer and Seller to sign.

The Seller and Sellers Broker will be on one side of the table and the other side will be the Buyer, Buyers Broker and at times Lender.  The closer will ask for your government issued identification and review the loan documents with the Buyer.  This process generally takes about 40 minutes.

If the Lender is requiring funding conditions, the closer may step out of the room to begin that process.  The closer will then review with the Buyer and Seller the Real Estate documents – such as the Buyers Settlement Statement, Sellers Settlement Statement, Warranty Deed, etc.  This process takes about 20 minutes.

The Closer will then accept “good funds” from the Buyer and Lender (cashier’s check or wire).   The Closer will then take the funds and distribute per the contract.

Only 2 more steps to go:  the closer will ask Buyer, Seller and Brokers how they would like to receive copies of the signed documents – email, hard copy or both.

And for the final step, Seller hands the keys to the Buyer.  It is that simple.  Congratulations you are officially a homeowner in Colorado.

 

Living in Denver,

How to Keep One Step Ahead of Denver Traffic

by Lisa ReichNovember 7, 2018no comment
How to Be One step ahead of Denver's traffic

Image Courtesy of CODOT

I am a perpetually check Google Maps before I leave any location.  I will ask my step-sons to check the route to see if there is a better one before us.  I want to see if the traffic is moving (or not).  Is the route I like to take all “red” with congestion?  Is there a better way to go?  Should I stay at work a little longer and wait for the traffic to die down?  I am sure you may be thinking…I live in Chicago and I use public transit.  I just walk to the CTA bus or train and hunker down into a good book, podcast or people watching and zone out.  Well, depending on where you live and work, public transportation may not be a viable option for you.

We have 2 major highways in the Denver Metro area, I-70 (runs East and West) and I-25 (runs North and South).  They can be quite a nightmare especially with construction! The Colorado Department of Transportation has several popular projects they are working on and will start to work on in 2018.  One of my favorite is the Central 70 Project.  This project is between I-25 and Chambers Road and will remove the 53-year old viaduct.  CDOT’s site states that the viaduct carries upward of 200,000 vehicles per day.  There will be a lot of changes, so to keep on top of it you can:How to Keep one step ahead of denver traffic

  • check CDOT’s lane closures with this map,
  • subscribe to all project Alerts via email or text (this will sign you up for travel alerts, news and much more), or
  • One of my favorite functions on CDOT’s site: the COTrip, an interactive map that provides live feeds of the condition of the roads and traffic.

Another important part of Denver’s roads is the City and County of Denver’s Public Works Department provides services involving the public infrastructure (transportation, street maintenance, planning and construction and many more services).  Road impartments are discussed often.  Are the roads needing to be repaved?  Does the CCD need to acquire land owner’s property to widen streets? CCD has a Downtown Paving Work Program that has identified streets that will be repaved in 2018.  If you have any questions on a program, need to request a repair or need to report a problem you can call 3-1-1.

For more information, check out our blog post by Bethany Candelaria “Everything you need to know about Denver Traffic.”

By knowing some of the Colorado Department of Transportation and City and County of Denver’s Public Works Department transportation projects, you will be zipping down I-25 stress free.