What is a Settlement Statement?

It's almost closing day- As the purchase of the property is wrapped up, buyers and sellers will sign all final documents, money will be disbursed and keys will be handed over. Shortly before the closing date, each side of the transaction will be provided with a document called the draft Final Settlement Statement, which itemizes all the credits and debits that were charged during the transaction. This provides an opportunity to make sure all charges are correct and authorized for each side.

SELLER'S STATEMENT

The Seller's Settlement Statement will list the purchase price of the property as well as a few other items like the real estate agent commissions, mortgage loan payoffs, prorated taxes, utilities and escrow fees and anything else associated with the home sale. Those items are then deducted from the purchase price, leaving a balance due to the seller, which is the seller's net proceeds.

Agent Commissions
The seller pays the real estate commissions for both the buyer's and seller's agents. Those charges will be listed under this section.

Prorated Property Taxes/Utilities/Fees
Property taxes and utilities will be prorated to the date the seller transfers the property to the new buyer and money may be withheld to pay those bills and close them out.

Title/Escrow Fees
Title and escrow fees associated with the transaction will be listed here, and may differ for the buyer and the seller. On the seller's side, these may include the escrow settlement fee for, title search fees, and the cost of the owner's title insurance policy.

Excise/Transfer Taxes
State and local governments may charge excise or transfer taxes upon selling the property. If applicable, these may show on the seller's statement.

Recording Fees
Depending on the location, the seller may pay recording fees for certain documents.

Mortgage Payoffs
For sellers, any existing mortgage on the property is paid off at closing. Mortgage payoffs will be listed with the remaining balance as well as any prorated interest up until closing day.

Any Credits to Buyer
If the seller agreed to credit the buyer any monetary amount, it will be listed under the financial section.

Miscellaneous Fees
This section might include charges for things like a lien search, surveys, additional signings, or fees for resale certificates/estoppels and prepaid HOA dues for homes with a homeowners association.

BUYER'S STATEMENT

The Buyer's Settlement Statement will list the purchase price of the property as well as a few other items like loan costs, prorated taxes, title and escrow fees, homeowner's insurance, seller credits, and anything else associated with the buyer's purchase. Those items are then added up and the loan amount, down payment and the earnest money deposit amount are deducted, leaving the buyer with a figure called the final cash to close. The buyer will then wire this amount to escrow at the end of the transaction.

Financial Items
The purchase price, earnest money and down payment amount, and mortgage loan amount will be detailed here.

Seller's Credits to Buyer
If the buyer negotiated any credits from the seller for repairs, credits towards the closing costs or otherwise, those will be credited in this section.

Charges Associated with the Loan
The loan costs section will detail any fees or charges associated with obtaining the loan, such as “points” (usually a % of the loan amount), loan processing fees, appraisal fees, underwriting fees, bank fees, credit report fees and prepaid interest.

Prorated Taxes and Fees
For the buyer, this might include prorated property taxes if the seller has already paid them up to a certain point.

Title/Escrow Fees
Title and escrow fees associated with the transaction will be listed here, and may differ for the buyer and the seller. On the buyer's side, these may include the escrow settlement fee and the cost of the lender's title insurance policy.

Recording Fees
For the buyer, this section may include the county fees charged to record the documents to properly transfer the home to them.

Homeowner's Insurance Premium
If required by the lender, the homeowners insurance premium will be prepaid for a year.

Share this post!