Our Office

  • Villanova Office

    Address

    795 East Lancaster Avenue
    Suite 260
    Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085

    Phone

    610-527-9100

    Fax

    610-527-6549

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 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 years' receipts are required.
  • These bills are sometimes combined with township tax bills.
  • Bills without the "paid" receipt are not acceptable. The 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 about what is required 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 about 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.

 

Copyright 2011 - Marc H. Jaffe and Fromhold Jaffe Adams & Jun

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.