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)

by Sandy Gadow (Author) "Many books have been written about how to find a home or rental property, negotiate a purchase price, and arrive at mutually acceptable terms..." (more)
Key Phrases: customary security instruments, estate transfer disclosure, filing statute, Consumer Complaints, The Way Things Really Are, Typical Misunderstanding (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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

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

See all Editorial Reviews

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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #53,098 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 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

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete and Easy to Read., January 10, 2005

By	Caroline Collins (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

Sandy Gadow's real estate closing book explained the part of the buying process which confuses most people, and where most of the costly mistakes can occur. I was able to understand the concepts and explanations which are provided, and felt confident enough to ask questions which I am sure saved me several hundreds of dollars. Before reading Sandy's book, I was intimidated by the professionals involved in a closing: for example, the attorney and closing agent, even the inspector involved. Knowing what questions to ask, I felt comfortable making lists of questions to ask, and which answers I needed. Although real estate laws vary state to state, this book does an excellent job of being all-inclusive for each state. Whether called "escrow", "closing" or "settlement", this book covers the essentials of a real estate deal.

In each chapter are "Tips" and "A Typical Misunderstanding" which lighten the reading and make the subject matter easy to follow along. The chapter on handling Tax-Deferred Exchanges was a welcome addition to the book. I was prompted to buy Sandy's book after watching her on CNN's show, "Open House."

I would recommend this book to anyone buying property, considering entering the escrow profession, or anyone interested in the investment aspect of real estate. I am now a real estate professional and am grateful for Sandy's book. I know the book helped me and I have recommended it to many of my friends and colleagues.

19 of 20 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

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.