Refinancing: The Closing

What happens after I've applied for my loan?
t usually takes a lender between 1-6 weeks to complete the evaluation of your application. Its not unusual for the lender to ask for more information once the application has been submitted. The sooner you can provide the information, the faster your application will be processed. Once all the information has been verified the lender will call you to let you know the outcome of your application. If the loan is approved, a closing date is set up and the lender will review the closing with you.

What make up closing costs?
There may be closing cost customary or unique to a certain locality, but closing cost are usually made up of the following:

	Attorney's or escrow fees (Yours and your lender's if applicable)
	Interest (paid from date of closing to 30 days before first monthly payment)
	Loan Origination fee (covers lenders administrative cost)
	Recording fees
	Survey fee
	First premium of mortgage Insurance (if applicable)
	Title Insurance (yours and lenders's)
	Loan discount points
	Paid receipt for homeowner's insurance policy (and fire and flood insurance if applicable)
	Any documentation preparation fees

Once you're sure you understand all the documentation, you'll sign the mortgage, agreeing that if you don't make payments the lender is entitled to sell your property and apply the sale price against the amount you owe plus expenses. You'll also sign a mortgage note, promising to repay the loan.

You'll pay the lender's agent all closing costs and, in turn,he or she will provide you with a settlement statement of all the items for which you have paid. The mortgage will then be recorded in the state Registry of Deeds.

What do I get at closing?

	Settlement Statement (itemizes services provided and the fees charged; it is filled out by the closing agent and must be given to you at or before closing)
	Truth-in-Lending Statement
	Mortgage Note
	Mortgage or Deed of Trust