How soon do I know how much money I will need to pay at closing and can I use a personal check for my closing costs?

If you are getting a loan, federal guidelines require your lender to give you an estimate within three days of your loan application.  The exact final figure can usually be given the day before settlement by your closing attorney, though in some instances it might not be available until the actual day of settlement.  If you are not getting a loan, the figure should be available a few days before settlement (or “closing”).

All funds at closing must be paid with certified funds or by wire transfer. Occasionally, such as when a last minute change is made to settlement statement, an exception will be made for amounts less than $100.00.

The answers given above have been prepared by the law firm of Jones & Walker, P.C. of Virginia Beach as general guidelines to common questions.  These answers do not constitute specific legal advice.  For a fuller explanation of many aspects of real estate sales and purchases, visit Jones & Walker’s website: www.jonesandwalker.com.