Don’t choose a date casually. The right date can ensure a smooth closing and reduce closing costs; the wrong date puts the home buyer at risk of not closing on time, needlessly complicating the move, increasing expenses, and even losing your new home. Expenses are prorated through the closing date, so generally, there’s no better day of the month to close. However, in financing a mortgage, there are some differences in what is collected as a prepaid item and when the first mortgage payment is due. Some advice and tips: • Give yourself enough time. Don’t set a short closing date unless you’re paying cash. There are many steps involved with a home purchase. It takes time for the loan process. A short closing date might predate final loan approval. • Avoid closing at the end of the month, if possible. This is the busiest time. Unexpected issues are better dealt with if title officers and lenders are readily available. • Make your closing align with the actual move from your old residence to your new house. Ideally, your move should be from one to the other without a hotel stop in between. • Arrange with your local utility companies to ensure they can start service on the closing date. Living without water, heat, air- conditioning, or Wi-Fi until they are activated is unnecessary — not to mention unpleasant. • Mortgage payments are almost always due on the first day of the month and the payment is for the preceding month. As an example, if you close in July, your first payment is due on the 1st of September. However, interest is due for the month of July from the date of closing. If you close early in the month, say on the 10th, you would have to pay for 21 days, but if you close on the 25th, you would have to pay six days of interest. If money is tight, closing toward the end of the month will reduce your immediate out-of-pocket expenses. If you schedule a closing and fail to complete it on that day, there are consequences. You’ll face increased closing costs the next month, in addition to any penalty for the delay. Although most sellers will work
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