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PRIOR TO CLOSING

• Set aside enough time.
  Closings typically take 1-2 hours.

• Documents to bring. Bring a government-issued photo ID, such as your driver’s license, and the payment to cover your closing costs. Ameris Bank will provide all other documents to the closing attorney, closing agent or title company representative.

• A final walkthrough.
  Often buyers can do a final walk-through inspection of the home 24 hours before closing to identify damages or issues that occurred with the property between contract and closing.

• Who will be there?
  Typically, it will be you and your realtor, the home seller and the seller’s realtor, the closing attorney, closing agent or title company representative, and in some cases your mortgage banker.

• You’ll sign several documents.
  The three important documents you will sign are: (1) the promissory note, which outlines that you promise to repay the loan under the agreed upon terms; (2) the mortgage, also known as the deed of trust; and (3) the deed. Before signing, make sure everything is correct. You will receive a copy of all closing documents at closing or they will be mailed to your new address.

• Residence status for property taxes. 
  At closing, you will be advised on steps you may need to take to confirm your residence status with the property tax accessor's office. This will affect the percentage of property taxes you will owe each year. You may need to act to ensure the property is appropriately filed.

• Your closing documents. 
  Most likely a copy of your closing documents will be filed with your county’s record of deeds. As a best practice, make a copy of your closing documents and store the originals in safe keeping.

• Transfer utilities. 
  You may need to reinstate your utility services or transfer the services.

• Change your locks. 
  Consider changing the locks right after closing because more than likely, prior to closing, there was a lot of traffic in and out of your home and many copies of the keys may have been made.

• Try to avoid scheduling your closing and moving on the same day. Consider closing earlier in the week.

• ​Schedule a moving company ahead of time, confirming the exact times they should arrive to pack and deliver to your new home.

• Label moving boxes with the room name.

• A couple of days before moving in, clean your new home.

• Plan where the furniture will be placed in each room, saving you and your movers time and energy.

• Inspect your new home and make sure all appliances and utilities are working.