Deposits, Mortgage, Ins. & Utility turn on

The Process, Step-by-Step

The Initial Agreement and Deposit.

An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller.

Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process:

• Keep written records of everything. For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums and to convert them into written agreements to be signed by both parties. We will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your purchase and make sure that you have copies of everything.
• Stick to the schedule. Now that you have chosen your offer, you and the seller will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations so that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process we will keep you constantly updated, so you will always be prepared for the next step.

The Closing Agent.

Either a title company or an attorney will be selected as a closing agent. The closing agent will hold the deposit in escrow and will research the complete recorded history of the property to ensure that the title is free and clear of encumbrances by the date of closing and that all new encumbrances are properly added to the title. Some properties are subject to restrictions which limit various activities such as building or parking restrictions. There may be recorded easements and encroachments, which limit the rights to use your property.

How to Hold Title.

You may wish to consult an attorney or tax advisor on the best way to hold title. Different methods of holding title have different legal, estate and tax implications, especially when selling or upon death of the title holder.

Inspections.

Once your offer is accepted by the seller, you will need to have a licensed property inspector inspect the property within the time frame that was agreed upon in the effective contract to purchase. You may elect to have different inspectors inspect the property, if you wish to obtain professional opinions from inspectors who specialize in a specific area (eg. roof, HVAC, structure). If you are purchasing a commercial property, then you will need to have an environmental audit done on the site for the lending institution. We can recommend several different inspectors.

Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two things may happen:

1. Either each milestone is successfully closed and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you one step closer to the close, or
2. The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price).

Appraisal and Lending.

It is imperative that you keep in close communication with your lender, who will let you know when additional documents are needed to approve your loan application and fund your loan. If the agreement is conditional upon financing, then the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution, via a third party. This is done so that the lending institution can confirm their investment in your property is accurate. Appraisers are specialists in determining the value of properties, based on a combination of square footage measurements, building costs, recent sales of comparable properties, operating income, etc. When you are within two weeks of closing, double check with your lender to be sure the loan will go through smoothly and on time.

Association Approval.

If the property that you are purchasing is conditional upon an association approval, request the rules, regulations, and other important documents from the seller as soon as you have an effective agreement to purchase. Make sure that the application documents and processing fees are submitted to the appropriate person at the association by the required time. Fill out all of the information completely and legibly so there is no delay in processing the application. If you are required to meet with the association for your approval, make an appointment as soon as possible for the interview. Most associations require a certificate of approval before move-in. Your closing agent will request that the original copy of this approval letter be brought to the closing, so that it can be recorded with the deed in the county public records.

Property Insurance & Flood Insurance.

If you are obtaining a loan, you will be required by your lender to purchase a certain amount of insurance on the property. The value will depend on the lending institution and the purchase price of the property.

For Flood Insurance you will need a Flood Elevation Certificate to shop a quote. The cost of flood insurance will depend on  your flood zone/designation, the elevation of your home and the ground around it, the type and  size of construction, when the home was built, FEMA flood maps,  the BFE / the height of the 100-year flood, and the history of flood risk.

Note that you may be able to save by shopping around for insurance. Below are some tips.

• • Ask your insurance agent about discounts. You may be able get a lower premium if your home has safety features such as dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, an alarm system, storm shutters or fire-retardant roofing materials. Persons over 55 years of age or long-term customers may also be offered discounts.
  • Insure your house NOT the land under it. After a disaster, the land is still there. If you do not subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner’s insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.
  • Elevate Utilities – Elevate the heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters, electrical panels, and other utilities to reduce the likelihood of being damaged or destroyed in a flood, to lower your annual premium. Surcharges may be added for utilities below BFE.
  • Fill in Basements – Areas below BFE are defined as basements by the NFIP and should be eliminated by backfilling the space.  Owners can bear a 15-20% higher flood premium according to the NFIP.
  • Flood Vents – flood vents reduce the pressure from the forces of flood water and should be placed around the perimeter of the ground level. A minimum of one square inch of opening is required for each square foot of enclosed area.  To receive cost savings, flood openings must meet the requirements of the NFIP.  Note that garage doors, windows, and exterior doors will not count as flood openings unless the vents are installed within them.
  • Elevating-  By elevating your home one foot above BFE it can result in a 30% reduction for your annual premium.

Home Services and Utilities.

You will have to turn on Utilities prior to close. Be sure to do this at least a week in advance so the power is not cut to the home on closing day.

Atlantic City Electric Co
https://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/
457 Main St, West Creek, NJ 08092
(800) 642-3780
New Jersey Natural Gas Company
www.njng.com/
775 Vassar Ave, Lakewood Township, NJ 08701
(800) 221-0051
Comcast or Direct TV
XFINITY by Comcast – ComcastConnect.com
www.comcastconnect.com/Xfi n ityComcast
800-Xfinity

We will be happy to recommend experienced knowledgeable insurance agents for every property type.