Seller's Real Estate Closing Checklist
What To Bring With You
Note: If there are multiple sellers - such as husband and wife - all
sellers should attend closing unless alternate arrangements have been made
in advance.
Sellers of Pennsylvania real estate should bring
the following items with them to closing:
- Paid Receipts for Real Estate Taxes
- Tax bills without the "paid"
receipt are not acceptable. The actual paid receipts are required - with
the official "paid" stamp on them. If taxes were paid without obtaining stamped
receipts, the title insurance company will have to be notified in advance
so that tax certifications can be obtained.
- There are generally three real estate taxes - township, county and school
district - and receipts are required for all three. In some municipalities,
more than one tax is included on the same tax bill.
- Generally receipts are required for the current tax year and the three
previous tax years but check the title insurance company's Title Commitment
or Title Report for the proper requirements in your particular transaction.
- Sewer Rent Receipts
- Sewer rent bills without the
"paid" receipt are not acceptable. The actual paid receipts are required
- with the official "paid" stamp on them. If sewer rents were paid without
obtaining stamped receipts, the title insurance company will have to be notified
in advance so that certifications can be obtained.
- Sewer rent bills are sometimes combined with township tax bills.
- Generally receipts are required for the current year and the three previous
years but check the title insurance company's Title Commitment or Title Report
for the proper requirements in your particular transaction.
- Receipts for Other Municipal Charges
- This might include water charges
if water is supplied by the municipality, trash collection fees or other
charges that can result in a municipal lien if not paid.
- Check the title insurance company's Title Commitment or Title Report
to see if anything of this nature is required in your particular transaction
and if so, how many year's receipts are required.
- These bills are sometimes combined with township tax bills.
- Bills without the "paid" receipt are not acceptable. The actual paid
receipts are required - with the official "paid" stamp on them. If charges
were paid without obtaining stamped receipts, the title insurance company
will have to be notified in advance so that certifications can be obtained.
- Special Municipality Requirements
- Different municipalities (townships,
boroughs, cities) have different requirements, for example Resale Certificates,
Occupancy Certificates, Smoke Detector Affidavits, etc. Make certain you
know what they are and bring them with you.
- Loan Payoff Statement
- This is a statement from your
mortgage lender as to what is required in order to satisfy the mortgage.
- If you have multiple mortgages, you will need a payoff statement from
each lender.
- If you have a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit, you
will need a payoff statement from that lender.
- Lien Payoff Statement or Proof of Satisfaction
- If there are any liens recorded
against the property, you will need a statement from each lien holder as
to what payment will be required to release the lien or proof that the lien
has been satisfied.
- If there are any judgments entered against any seller, you may
need a statement from each judgment holder as to what payment will be required
to satisfy or release the lien of the judgment or proof that the judgment
has been satisfied or released.
- Judgments and liens usually appear on the title insurance company's
Title Commitment or Title Report.
- Photo Identification of all sellers
- This is generally in the form
of a driver's license.
- Social Security Number of all sellers
- Special Requirements under the Agreement of Sale
- Make certain you bring everything
required by the provisions of the Agreement of Sale
- It may be nothing beyond what is set forth on this checklist or there
may be additional requirements.
- Requirements of the Title Insurance Company
- Make certain you bring everything
required by the title insurance company.
- This is usually set forth in the Title Commitment or Title Report.
- It may be nothing beyond what is set forth on this checklist or there
may be additional requirements.
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Notice: The information on this page is intended only
as general information for Sellers of real estate in Pennsylvania and is
not legal advice. You should consult with an attorney in the state where
you are selling real estate before relying on anything set forth here. This
page contains only general principles. The facts of your particular transaction
may warrant different action or involve additional requirements.
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Fromhold Jaffe & Adams
Attorneys at Law
789 East Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085
610-527-9100
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