Helpful Resources for Buyers and Sellers
BUYERS: Preparing for Closing with your Attorney and Title Company
Before closing on a property it is crucial to speak with your attorney about the intended use of the property. This way, your attorney can request the necessary orders from the title company to ensure that you, as the buyer, know exactly what you are getting. Specific searches can reveal any restrictions on how the land may be used. Therefore:
- If you plan to make any alterations to the property, tell your attorney so they can order a survey to show you where everything on the property is and so you can use the survey for any municipal applications that might be required.
- If your intention is to rent the property, tell your attorney so they can find out if renting is permitted.
SELLERS: Kind Gestures to Consider Before Closing
Although it is not required of the seller, it is a kind gesture to help the new owners have the smoothest transition into their new house. Leaving behind various information about the property is an easy way to be mindful of a new owner's transition into their new home. Before handing over the keys to the house, consider leaving behind:-Warranties for appliances
-Instruction Manuals
-Garage Door Openers
Companies that have previously serviced the property may be familiar with the nuances of the various systems on the property. Consider leaving business cards or information about
-Landscapers
-Pool Technicians
-Electricians/Plumbers/Repairmen
-Property Managers
-Warranties for appliances
-Instruction Manuals
-Garage Door Openers
-Landscapers
-Pool Technicians
-Electricians/Plumbers/Repairmen
-Property Managers
Buyers: Discuss with Your Attorney
Before closing on a property it is crucial to speak with your attorney about the intended use of the property. This way, your attorney can request the necessary orders from the title company to ensure that you, as the buyer, know exactly what you are getting. Specific searches can reveal any restrictions on how the land may be used. Therefore:
- If you plan to make any alterations to the property, tell your attorney so they can order a survey to show you where everything on the property is and so you can use the survey for any municipal applications that might be required.
- If your intention is to rent the property, tell your attorney so they can find out if renting is permitted.
Your attorney can also use a title company to find out what potential fees will need to be paid once you assume ownership (i.e. HOA or Condo Fee).
Sellers: Kind Gestures to Consider
Leaving behind various information about the property is an easy way to be mindful of a new owner's transition into their new home. Before handing over the keys to the house, consider leaving behind:
- Warranties for appliances
- Instruction Manuals
- Garage Door Openers
Companies that have previously serviced the property may be familiar with the nuances of the various systems on the property. Consider leaving business cards or information about
Although it is not required of the seller, it is a kind gesture to help the new owners have the smoothest transition into their new house.
- Landscapers
- Pool Technicians
- Electricians/Plumbers/Repairmen
- Property Managers
A Buyer and Seller Closing Checklist
We believe it is important that all parties know what to expect at the closing table.
Buyer's Checklist
- Advise the office if you intend to use a Power of Attorney. If so, it must be reviewed and approved by a title officer and the lender.
- Provide ZTA with Buyer's Questionnaire if one was not already provided to the attorney.
- Notify all utilities of the date services are to be placed in your names.
- Obtain Homeowner's insurance. Provide a copy of the declaration page and paid receipt to our office and lender's office. This may be completed earlier if requested by lender or suggested by attorney.
- Advise ZTA of any negotiated seller's credits and ensure the lender reviewed and approved them. Make sure seller credits are reflected on an Amendment of Contract, reviewed and approved by the lender.
- If obtaining a residential loan, make sure the lender has officially disclosed the CD in a format acceptable to them to clear TRID requirements.
- Approve the closing statement. Please be sure the statement reflects all invoices for work done, credits and commissions. If not, please provide the remaining information.
- Bring Certified check to the closing or wire the funds directly to ZTA. The check should be made out to Zwiren Title Agency, Inc. Please make sure with ZTA a check is acceptable, as the seller may need a wire.
- Bring two forms of identification and copies to the settlement. One must be government issued and contain a photograph.
Seller's Checklist
- Advise the office if you intend to use a Power of Attorney. If so, it must be reviewed and approved by a title officer.
- Provide status of Certificate of Occupancy / Use of Occupancy or any other applicable inspections required by the municipality to the buyer's attorney.
- Provide Seller’s Authorization form, completed and signed, if not already provided to the seller's attorney.
- Provide Zwiren Title Agency, Inc. with Seller’s Questionnaire, if not already provided to the seller's attorney.
Schedule final readings for the utilities.
- Approve the closing statement. Please be sure the statement reflects all invoices for work done, credits and commissions. If not, please provide the remaining information.
- Provide final reading numbers to ZTA.
- Make an extra copy of the Certificate of Occupancy to provide the closing agent.
- Bring Certificate of Occupancy/Use and Occupancy or any other applicable inspections required by the municipality.
- Bring two forms of identification and copies to the settlement. One must be government issued and contain a photograph.
- Bring all keys, garage door openers, etc.
First American Title - Multicultural Resource Center
Buying or selling a property in the United States can be a complex process, but it can proceed much more smoothly if you know what to expect and what is needed to finalize a transaction. Our goal at First American Title Company is to provide clear and concise information to help consumers better understand the transfer of real estate in the U.S.
NJ County Online Search Capabilities
View the below chart to see what documents are available in each NJ County's Online Records Search Platform.