4. If the lender will be paying your annual property taxes and homeowner's insurance for you, a new escrow account (or reserve) is established at this point.

5. You receive the keys to your new home.

6. After the meeting, the closing agent officially records the mortgage and deed at your local government clerk's office or registry of deeds. This legal transfer of the property may take a few days after closing. The closing agent usually will not disburse the funds to everyone who is owed money from the sale (including the seller, real estate professionals, and the lender) until the transaction has been recorded. It is at the point of deed recordation that you become the official owner of the home.

HUD-1 Settlement Sheet

The settlement sheet itemizes the services provided and lists the charges to the buyer and the seller. It is filled out by your closing agent and must be signed by both you and the seller. You should have been allowed to review this form on the business day before your closing meeting so that you will be able to know your closing costs in advance.

Truth-in-Lending (TIL) Statement

Within three business days of applying for a loan to purchase a home, your lender should have given you this document, which outlines the costs of your loan. You receive it at that time so that you may compare the loan costs with those of other lenders. The TIL statement also discloses the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is the cost of your mortgage as a yearly rate. This rate may be higher than the interest rate stated in your mortgage because the APR includes any points, and certain other costs of credit. The TIL statement also discloses the other terms of the loan, including the finance charge, the amount financed, The payment amount, and the total payments required. It is possible that the APR calculated at your loan application will change at closing. That is why your lender is required to give you the final version of your TIL statement at or prior to the closing meeting.

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