The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions - From Opening Escrow, to Negotiating Fees, to Signing the Closing Papers [Paperback]

Sandy Gadow (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071400354 | ISBN-13: 978-0071400350 | Publication Date: August 21, 2003 | Edition: 1

A PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

The first simple guide to understanding the real estate closing process

Closing and escrow are among the most important­­and least understood­­components of a real estate transaction. The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing takes the mystery out of the confusing, expensive process by giving real estate professionals, investors, and consumers a step-by-step explanation. In simple, everyday language, the book explains closing documents and paperwork, what to do when something goes wrong, mortgage options, how to save money on title insurance, problems that can occur on a title report,

and much more. With sample forms, work sheets, and more, this sophisticated but accessible book covers:

• Insider tips on how to save money­­from a closing professional
• Who does what: the real estate agent, lender, title company, closing officer, attorney
• State-specific information for all 50 states

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Don't go to closing without reading this book!

A Simple Guide to the Complex Process of Closing on a House or Property.

The escrow and closing process is probably the least understood aspect of any real estate transaction. Misunderstandings about closing costs can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars of needless expenses, and put seemingly solid deals at risk.

The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing shows you how to protect your rights, or the rights of your clients, at the closing table. Filled with sample forms, worksheets, checklists, and more, this no-nonsense handbook takes you step-by-step from signing the sales contract to understanding all closing costs to what happens after all the closing documents have been signed. Use it as your one-stop resource for understanding each detail, answering each question, and preventing minor disputes from becoming major roadblocks.

"An easy-to-read book...In addition to escrow information, provides advice about inspections, financing, condominiums, and cooperatives."--Los Angeles Times

Whether you are an experienced real estate professional or buying your first house, The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing will give you all the information you need to understand:

• Money-saving strategies for buyers and sellers
• Escrow accounts
• Title search and title insurance
• Closing documents and paperwork
• Last-minute adjustments to the final selling price
• Closing costs
• And much more

About the Author

Sandy Gadow is a nationally recognized expert on escrow and closing practices. A title and closing officer for over twenty-five years, Sandy has participated in thousands of real estate closings. She is also a licensed mortgage broker and real estate agent, and a writer, researcher, and analyst for the real estate industry. She operates the popular Web site www.closingadvisor.com and www.escrowhelp.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (August 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071400354
• ISBN-13: 978-0071400350
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Business & Investing > Real Estate > Buying & Selling Homes

More About the Author

Sandy Gadow, a featured guest on CNN's "Open House," and a speaker on national radio as the escrow expert, has more than 25 years experience in escrow, title and real estate. A licensed mortgage broker and real estate sales associate, Sandy is a member of the American Land Title Association, the California Escrow Association, the National Association of Real Estate Editors and on the advisory council for the Escrow Career Center. She is the author of The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing. Visit Sandy at www.escrowhelp.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Top Real Estate Books, September 29, 2002

By 

lynford royston (San Marino, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions - From Opening Escrow, to Negotiating Fees, to Signing the Closing Papers (Paperback)

I was surprised to find a book so easy to read and yet was so comprehensive. This is a book which finally explains,in layman's terms, closing costs,legal escrow documents,and most important to me, what to watch out for. You will like how the book tells you who to ask which questions and what each person should be doing and when. The full page size sample forms were great and easy to copy for my use. This book contains more than just escrow and closing information - it includes tips on taxes, property inspections, and what to do after the sale is closed.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Truth in Advertising, November 7, 2004

By 

Harvey S. Jacobs (Potomac, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions - From Opening Escrow, to Negotiating Fees, to Signing the Closing Papers (Paperback)

Gadow does an excellent job of providing a comprehensive view of a California Real Estate Closing. The subject matter is appropriate and well written. The illustrations, tables, charts and forms all useful. The only real problem with a volume like this is that all real estate is essentially LOCAL in nature.

Thus, many of Gadow's points and concepts are inapposite to other parts of the country. I found myself annotating my copy with local exceptions to Gadow's statements (I am a Real Estate Attorney in the Washington, DC metropolitan area). As with any volume with this much information there are certain errors that may have not been caught by the editors. For example, Gadow talks about obtaining multiple termite inspections. "Shopping for a clean termite inspection" and failing to disclose the known existence of termites is a patent violation of the Seller's duty to disclose known defects and could subject the homeseller to serious liability for any resulting damages incurred by the buyer.

Nevertheless, for the layman this book is an essential resource and I wish everyone of my clients would read it before coming to our office for their settlements.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and easy to understand!, September 4, 2002

By 

Kristen Kanelos (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions - From Opening Escrow, to Negotiating Fees, to Signing the Closing Papers (Paperback)

Sandy Gadow's new escrow book is terrific! It is basically the same book as her previous book, All About Escrow and Real Estate Closings, but this new book is up-dated with the newest information and I especially liked the new chapter on tax deferred exchanges. I started investing in rental properties not too long ago, and Sandy's book on escrow and closing really helped me understand all those complicated closing papers and closing costs. I was able to save money on title insurance and I negotiated with the lender to reduce some of their closing fees. I would recommend this book to anyone buying or selling real estate. I found information in Sandy's book that I could not find in other real estate books. Easy to read and easy to understand.