Escrow and closing - The Mortgage Porter

I’m an April Fool

March 30, 2007 by Rhonda Porter 5 Comments

This April Fools is my first anniversary with my husband, Rob. We were married in St. Helena, California at Harvest Inn near Napa. We were suppose to have an outdoor ceremony next to vineyards. However, due to rain (I guess it followed us) we were married indoors underneath an "exit" sign. I was thankful Rob didn’t look up and read the sign. He could have bolted for the door!

April Fools also marks my first day in the mortgage business. I "retired" from fourteen years in title and escrow industry and began my mortgage career at Mortgage Master seven years ago. I must admit, I was hesitant to become a Mortgage Planner. In the title and escrow business, you typically spend an hour with the consumer towards the end of transaction when they’re signing. Often times, the buyer or seller may be feeling pressure even under the most ideal transactions. Buying or selling a home is not something most people do everyday and there is a lot of money at stake.

I also did not have the have the highest opinion of loan originators. A majority of the borrowers that I would sign did not understand their loan program and would expect escrow to explain it (this needs to be done by the Loan Originator well before your signing loan documents).

I have learned so much in these past seven years. It’s incredible. And of course, the industry continues to evolve and new programs and products emerge. My father in law, Bob, is Chairman of Mortgage Master and retired in his young 70’s just a few years ago! This is a wonderful career. I’ve had the opportunity to help hundreds of families with buying homes, restructuring their mortgages and debts or financing their goals. If I have my way, I’ll have my mortgage practice as long as Bob did (he still receives phone calls from clients).

I guess I take some pretty crazy leaps on the first day of April! Maybe this year, I’ll try bungee jumping or sky diving?

Filed Under: Current Affairs, Escrow and closing, Just for Fun, Mortgage

Why Is My Payoff Higher Than The Principal Balance?

February 12, 2007 by Rhonda Porter 2 Comments

I am often asked this question during a refinance from homeowners.

Your mortgage payment is paid in arrears. For example, your February payment is paying January’s interest. Remember when you bought or refinanced your home and the loan originator stated, “you’re going to skip one month’s payment” or “you won’t have another payment due until the following month after closing”? Well, this is where that payment essentially catches up with you. (Technically, it’s not “that” payment, you’re just always paying the previous month’s interest).

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Escrow and closing, Mortgage, Refinance Tagged With: closing, escrow, payoffs, refinance, reserves

What is Escrow?

February 2, 2007 by Rhonda Porter Leave a Comment

One of the first-time home buyers I’m currently working with just called me with a few excellent questions. She and her boyfriend have recently made an offer on their next home, with their agent which was accepted. They now have handsome stack of papers from the escrow company (as if the paperwork from the lender wasn’t enough) that caused some questions.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Escrow and closing, Mortgage, Refinance, Residential Purchase Tagged With: closing, escrow, signing

Before You Go to Your Signing Appointment

January 27, 2007 by Rhonda Porter 5 Comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post has been updated. Click here to read the most current version.

1. Bring a cashier’s check. A good lender will do everything in their power to provide escrow with instructions in a timely manner so that they can, in turn, give you the dollar amount required as soon as possible. Sometimes, you may only get a day or two of notice before escrow contacts you with this information. The reason this can occur so late in the process is because all the loan documents have to be prepared by the lender and are then delivered to the escrow company with our instructions. The escrow company then creates a HUD-1 Settlement Statement which determines exactly how much funds you need to bring to closing. When you are told the amount, you need to obtain a cashier’s check payable to the escrow company and bring it with you to the closing appointment. A personal check is a no-no. NOTE: If you are considering wiring funds to the escrow company, please contact them in advance to discuss this process.

2. Bring a copy of your Good Faith Estimate. You will want to compare it to the Estimated HUD-1 Settlement Statement that will be presented to you at the signing. Hopefully, the Escrow Officer has provided your Loan Originator a copy of the HUD in advance for them to review it prior to your appointment.

3. Bring your current driver’s license. The notary must see them for proof you are you! Some may require two forms of identity.

4. Bring anything else that the escrow company or lender request. Sometimes the lender may need you to bring follow up documentation to closing (such as originals, paystubs, etc.).

5. Bring directions to the escrow company. Be sure to get specific directions to the escrow company from the escrow company (or visit www.mapquest.com). Please be on time. Escrow companies are often very busy and generally on time.

6. Plan on your signing taking approximately 45 – 60 minutes. If you would like to have more time to read your documents, or to have an attorney review them for you, ask your lender in advance so they can accommodate having a copy of your loan documents available to you in advance. Your loan package is about an inch of paper. If you want to read it word for word, you should get a copy beforehand.

7. Sign your documents as your names appear. Sign your name within the County’s required borders for recordings. This avoids last minute corrections or delays in your closing. You may want to do some hand exercises before signing (just teasing—well, kind of).

If you have questions regarding your loan documents or program, please call your Loan Originator. Don’t be shy! The signer may not be familiar with your specific loan program.

After signing your documents, escrow sends the original required documents to the title company who, after reviewing, delivers them to the County. With our company, the funding department also reviews the loan documents and verifies all conditions are met.

At this point, the lender coordinates with the escrow company to release the funds and to record the documents on the scheduled day for closing. Typically either the escrow company or your real estate agent will contact you once your transaction has recorded.

Filed Under: Escrow and closing, Mortgage, Refinance, Residential Purchase