When you buy a house in town, you are asked to sign an amazing number
of documents, especially if you are obtaining a mortgage. It is prudent to read
all of the papers before signing them, but it may not be practical to do this at
the actual closing. There is a way you can read everything first without holding
up the closing.
The title company should have the papers ready for your review several days
before the closing, but sometimes the lender delivers the paperwork at the last
minute. If you insist on reading everything, including all fine print, you will
probably draw some serious groans from the others at the table. One practical
solution is to request copies of all of the standard forms a week before the
closing, so that you can read them at your leisure. At the closing you need only
to make sure that the information is filled in correctly.
