ok so my first clsing is scheduled for tomorrow at 3pm. I am soooo nervous I could pull out hair from my own head!

I have done all of the paperwork accordingly..i think...and I feel that i am as prepared as I can be....BUT I feel like I am going to make a complete [censored] of myself in front of my seller! I always thought my first closing would be for someone I knew and wouldn't be like this. Turns out my first closing is for a fsbo I met and he listed with me. He doesn't know this is my first deal, I never lied to him, he simply did not ask..

What happens if I am asked a question from him and cannot explain it correctly? Should I tell my closer this is my first one and ask her if she could help me out if she sees that I am in a rut? Do the closers normally explain everything and I am there to ease my seller?

I DON"T KNOW WHAT TO DO>>>PLEASE HELP

Deep breath.

Closing are driven by the closer, not the agent.

But, do the following:

* If you haven't, confirm that your folks are expecting to be at closing. Make sure they know directions and remind them to bring the amount required to closing in the form of a certified check plus their photo ids. The amount to close comes from the HUD-1 (see below about making sure that is correct).

* Make sure you get a copy of the HUD-1 several hours before the closing. Sit down with it and the contract. Every cost and provision you have should be reflected appropriately. Your job is to make sure the contract is being carried out. Look particularly at closings costs and who should pay. Common for closers to misapply. If you find an error or something you don't understand, call the closer.

* Take your file and a corrected copy of the HUD-1.

* Arrive about 15 minutes early. Introduce yourself to the closer. Then, wait for your folks. When they arrive, inform the closer and he/she will usher you in to sign.

* Your folks should sit at the table/desk with the closer. You can sit off to the side. The closer will walk your folks through the signing process. If there is a question, let the closer take the lead. If there is a question about what you agreed in the contract (unlikely), pull out your contract and review with your folks.

* Keys are sometimes tricky. Talk to the other agent and decide if the keys will be at the title company or whether you will pick them. If you need to pick them up, get them before closing. BUT, under no circumstances, give them to your folks until the closer calls and informs you that the deal has funded and recorded (signing doesn't count!). Then (and that may be the next day or even a couple days), provide the keys to your folks. In some locales, the title company will hold and disperse the keys once the deal is recorded.

* Consider picking up a pizza certificate and put it with a short thank-you note. Give the note to your folks when they get the keys.

I don't know how they do it in Texas, but in Oregon, the closing agent is doing everything. I show up as a formality really. It's for forms sake, and show.

I mean, I'm there reviewing everything to catch a mistake, and I have caught one so far (in five or six closings) but at that point, you should be in the hands of another professional.

I would say study up on the contract a little, and then go in loose and calm and just be a steady "rock" for your client. Your brain will work better that way anyway than if you are all hyped up. Let the closing agent do his/her job, keep quiet. It's a happy day! You are just there for moral support and because it would be sort of unseemly to NOT be there the day before you are cut a fat check from the proceeds of the deal!

Be calm. You'll be fine.

-jeff

Thanks for the info. I feel much better. I know the contract thru and thru, so no worries there but I will definately have a copy of it, just in case. I am going in the morning to take the keys (title company holds) and get the HUD so I can review it and let my seller know.

I had planned on getting there early, I am just really hoping when the buyers close before me everything will run smoothly. I figured I would be there as moral support and the closing agent would pretty much run the show, but I have one of those sellers that when he can't get i touch with me within an hour he calls my manager to inform them. makes me look really bad. He doesn't realize that I have a life outside of his house. I know he doesn't see it that way, but what the heck...hopefully tomorrow will be nothing but good tidings and a paycheck.
Thanks again..this is why I love this forum

Well, don't be TOO calm! It could be a total nightmare, and only your quick wits and razor-sharp reflexes will save the deal!
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Just kidding. Let us know how it goes!

-jeff

i'm in a huge second home market, most of my closing have been through the mail.

I have had situations where I was representing the seller and the buyer asked me to go to their closing.

Very rarely have I had a closing where I had to say anything at all. The closing person normally runs the show, for the most part your job is over. Useually at this point if there is a problem it has already been worked out.

Most of our closing the buyer and seller sign seperatly here.

I always try to get a copy of the HUD as early as I can, so I can just go over it and if anything looks odd I ask about it.

Chill out. Everything will be fine. Like everyone else already said, the closing agent usually takes care of everything. You don't even need to be thee, but I would suggest you be there for moral support for your client.

If you want, let the closing agent know beforehand that this will be your first closing and I am sure they will help you if there are any questions from your client. They want repeat business from you, so I am sure they will make things go as smooth as possible.

Let us know how it went...

Yes if your an REO agent being there isn't a huge deal.Even though as a regular sellers agent there are small things you can do at the closing it rarely happens.The main reason you are there is to solidify to the seller that they were not just a commission and your gone.

My first closing was a total nightmare (The buyer and seller HATED each other, but my buyer was nuts, completely understandable). It still went through and everyone was happy in the end even though no one said goodbye to one another.

Be prepared and you can handle anything. I would let the closer know it was my first closing just between the two of you.

Before the closing today, psyche yourself up, close your eyes and invision everyone patting you on the back saying what a great job you have done, smiling around the closing table, happily getting up to file out to refer you to others. Make the vision as detailed and emotion provoking as possible. Then take a few deep breaths and in you go to your first successful closing.

Good luck!

Sharyn

I had one closing where the buyers and closing attorney were all russian. Seller and I just sat there chatting b/c we couldn't understand a thing they said. Maybe that will happen to you today and you can just relax at closing?

Seriously...just bring copies of the contracts, make sure everything that had to happen prior to closing actually occurred and be there to make sure all the bases are covered. For that matter...ask your broker to go with you or go over everything to help calm your nerves. Closing is the easy part!