Closing Attorneys

We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your team. We are committed to provide you with a professional and smooth closing, which will enable you to be the most successful at what you do best – sell homes.

Each of the Donaghue & Chandler LLC offices is fully staffed by seasoned real estate paralegals and attorneys. We understand what must be done in order to successfully complete a closing on time without losing sight of the significance of the purchase and sale of a home to the parties to the transaction.  
 

Services For Sellers Of Real Estate

• Reliable and timely coordination of all documents and information required for the closing of the sale of your property
• Securely access, view, and print pertinent closing information for the property
• Use of technology resulting in hours saved that allow more time for issues to be resolved prior to the closing

What To Expect At Closing

The most common type of real estate transaction involves a mortgage loan and can require execution of fifty (50) or more documents, only a relatively small number of which actually concern the Seller(s). Many of these will be prepared by the closing attorney's office, but the majority will be prepared by the Lender. The documents furnished by the Lender will include Federal and State forms as well as a range of others from various affidavits to taxes. Among the most important documents you can expect to see are the following:

• HUD-1 Settlement Statement
  Developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this document itemizes the services provided and fees and charges associated with closing the mortgage loan.
• Representation Disclosure
  Informs the Borrower(s) that the Closing Attorney's Office represents the Lender/Investor and not the Buyer(s) or the Seller(s) of the property.
• Corrections/Errors and Omissions/Compliance Agreement
  Borrower's Agreement to cooperate with Lender and Settlement Agent in correcting typographical or clerical errors in any mortgage documents.
• Sellers' Affidavit of Residence
  Verifies the Seller(s) is not subject to State of Georgia Capital Gains Tax withholding requirements.
• Seller's Certificate of Exemption
  Used in conjunction with above affidavit if Seller(s) is not a resident of the State of Georgia. Verifies Seller's exemption from State of Georgia Capital Gains Tax withholding.
• Warranty Deed
  Instrument conveying title to real property from the Seller(s) to the Buyer(s).
• Owner's Affidavit
  Affidavit of Seller(s) certifying that the property is conveyed "free and clear" of any liens, claims or judgments.

While this can seem like an overwhelming number of documents to digest at one time, you can relax knowing that Donaghue & Chandler, LLC has a well earned reputation for trouble-free closings. Our office coordinates the entire procedure and ascertains that all documents are available and ready for signatures and final processing.

Be Ready To Close On Your New Home

• Loan Payoff Information
  We need the name of your company, the telephone number(s), your account number(s), and your social security number(s). Many companies require a 3-7 day turnaround, therefore it is very important that we get this information to order your payoff as soon as possible.
• Georgia Wood Infestation Report
  In accordance with the contract, you are obligated to have a termite inspection done for your property within 30 days before the closing. Please fax our office a copy of the termite report at least one week before the closing. We will then forward a copy to the Lender, as the Lender must accept this report prior to giving final approval on the Buyer's loan. If you would like for us to arrange for the payment of the termite inspection to be taken out of your proceeds at closing, please fax the inspector's bill along with the report. Please indicate on the bill "Pay at Closing." You are required to bring the original, clear termite letter and the original of the bill to the closing.
• Legal Description
  Please refer to your warranty deed for your property’s legal description. Please fax us a copy of the deed. If you have a survey on your property, please fax it with the legal description.
• Home Owner's/Condominium Association Information
  If your property has a home owner's or condominium association that has mandatory dues, please fax, email, or call us with the name and telephone number for the association. It is necessary that we receive a letter from the association either stating that all dues are currently paid or indicating to prorate all dues appropriately.
• Title
  If there is a divorce, bankruptcy, death or other title problems which may affect this closing, please notify us immediately. Please indicate the potential problem and have contact names and telephone numbers prepared so that we may research any issues.
• Identification
  Please bring your drivers' license (or other photo ID) with you to closing, as identification. If the seller is a corporation, we will require you to bring both the corporate resolution and the corporate seal.

If you have any questions that we can help you with regarding the sale of your new and/or the closing for your property, please Contact Us.