Closing Day Procedure

[poromo]

We are closing on our new house in Gilchrist on May 1. Is it possible to fly into Orlando the same day as the closing, assuming the flight arrives at 9:30AM, and still be on time to do whatever needs to be done?

For those of you who closed on a new house in person, can you let us know what the procedure was on closing day? How long was the process from beginning to end?

We'd prefer not to close by mail but may have to do so.

[Rosie53]

We are closing on our new house in Gilchrist on May 1. Is it possible to fly into Orlando the same day as the closing, assuming the flight arrives at 9:30AM, and still be on time to do whatever needs to be done?

For those of you who closed on a new house in person, can you let us know what the procedure was on closing day? How long was the process from beginning to end?

We'd prefer not to close by mail but may have to do so.

We closed on our house in Fernandina in January. Our closing was at 9am. We met the builder at the house at 8:00 to do a walk thru. The closing took less than an hour. You should get a call sometime in April from the closing dept. to schedule your closing. Ask for an afternoon appointment and you should be fine.

[aljetmet]

We are closing on our new house in Gilchrist on May 1. Is it possible to fly into Orlando the same day as the closing, assuming the flight arrives at 9:30AM, and still be on time to do whatever needs to be done?

For those of you who closed on a new house in person, can you let us know what the procedure was on closing day? How long was the process from beginning to end?

We'd prefer not to close by mail but may have to do so.

Hi
We closed our Fernandian home last week! :a040:

WE had a 9:00 AM walk thru at the house which we were thre a half hour early. Our bulider arrived moments after us and we left a little late for our 10:30 closing. Takes about 30 minutes to sign the paperwork. Another 20 minutes for a picture and some orientation.

DO NOT BE LATE! They will have several closings scheduled one after the other. If you arrive 9:30 AM I hope your work through is say at least 2:00 PM or later just in case....

[cgalloway6]

I think you are cutting it a little close. If you are getting a discount on your purchase, it is based on you closing on time. If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to weather, say goodbye to the discount plus the other fees listed in your contract. They'll wait for you if you are late but if it is not the same day I think you will have a problem. All the paperwork and documents are based on a date. You probably have heard the warnings about using a mortgage company other than Citizens because of the harsh penalties for missing a closing. Same for missing a flight, connection, or cancelled flight.

[poromo]

Great advice. I think we'll close by mail.

[Rbgold]

Just make sure you can schedule your walk thru and closing time with them so that you have the necessary time to fly in and drive up to TV.
We closed last week by mail and it was very easy! We received the closing packet via UPS on Friday - it contained very explicit instructions - had the documents notarized as indicated and sent them back via UPS. We received a call once they were received congratulating us as new homeowners! The only downside of the experience was that we were not able to be there for the closing, but it all worked out in the long run. Best of luck with whatever route you take. :coolsmiley:

[graciegirl]

I think you are cutting it a little close. If you are getting a discount on your purchase, it is based on you closing on time. If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to weather, say goodbye to the discount plus the other fees listed in your contract. They'll wait for you if you are late but if it is not the same day I think you will have a problem. All the paperwork and documents are based on a date. You probably have heard the warnings about using a mortgage company other than Citizens because of the harsh penalties for missing a closing. Same for missing a flight, connection, or cancelled flight.

If there is any change to your closing plans...by moving them up or back the fee is $250. That is the same fee that will be charged if after you sign for the house to be built you change anything.

The developers run their business very efficiently.

We closed our first home here from afar. Our friends just closed their home here without being present. People do it all of the time.

The experience here of building and closing is head and shoulders above all of the other building and closing of homes we have built and closed and some were with very reputable custom builders in Ohio.

We are also more than pleased with any attention to things that need to be attended to during the warranty period.

Disclaimer.

I do not work for The Villages. I don't know any Morses living or dead but would really like to.;)

[Lbmb24101]

We closed by mail using wells fargo ( pre owned hose in TV), and it was a zinch, easy.
Only thing is
If you close by mail, read each paper carefully and do not miss any signatures!
Welcome!

[hotrodgirl]

Poromo, I was sent all the closing papers about 2 weeks in advance, though I made an appt for my closing in person. I went ahead and FedExed the paperwork back to the closing dept even though I intended to be present for the closing. I wired the money 2 days prior so I would be certain it was received. I asked for the last appt of the day as I was driving from south Fla after having closed up my home there. On the way to The Villages, the turnpike was completely shut down for over 2.5 hrs due to a horrible accident. I was totally freaked out knowing there would be no way I would arrive timely for my walk through with the builder. I contacted my agent who arranged for him to come the next morning. The time stretched on and I soon knew the inevitable was going to happen and I would miss my closing altogether. And that is exactly what happened. I did not make it to TV until 5:30 PM. I was in constant contact with my agent through all of this. However, because my wire had been received in advance, along with the closing documents, they treated it as a closing by mail and all was well. The next day I had my walk through and went to the closing office to get my ID and copies of all the documents! So I might advise you to do the same if you wish to make the trip down. :coolsmiley: hope this helped!

[George Bieniaszek]

We closed on our CYV through the mail. The whole process was very efficient and painless. Three months after the close, we finally made it down to The Villages with a trailer full of furniture from Connecticut. We picked up our village ID's, keys, etc. and started the move-in process.

If your schedule is such that you may not be able to be here physically for the closing, you should have no worries, The Villages does a great job!!

[anarick]

Just for clarity--Do you get to set the date and time of your closing or do they tell you when??

[hotrodgirl]

Just for clarity--Do you get to set the date and time of your closing or do they tell you when??

They give you the date. But you can arrange a time if it is available.

[anarick]

They give you the date. But you can arrange a time if it is available.

Thanks Hotrodgirl
Can you change the date if it is not convenient?

[hotrodgirl]

I do not believe so. But you can always ask!

[Rickg]

We close by mail next Monday. :clap2:

[travelguy]

we did it by mail; very easy. don't rush to fly here. fog, rain, etc, has a way of messing things up.
soon enough you will be living here.

[Lpierleo]

For what it is worth, I would recommend you close by mail. It is very efficient and then you don't have to worry about getting there at a specific time on the first. I have been told approx. 60% of their closings are done by mail. Not only is there potential for weather and traffic delays, but we were delayed at the airport almost 3 hours due to a mechanical failure on the plane our last flight. We finally deplaned and then they put us on another plane.Jusy my opinion. Congratulations, I am sure you are very excited.

[poromo]

Poromo, I was sent all the closing papers about 2 weeks in advance, though I made an appt for my closing in person. I went ahead and FedExed the paperwork back to the closing dept even though I intended to be present for the closing. I wired the money 2 days prior so I would be certain it was received. I asked for the last appt of the day as I was driving from south Fla after having closed up my home there. On the way to The Villages, the turnpike was completely shut down for over 2.5 hrs due to a horrible accident. I was totally freaked out knowing there would be no way I would arrive timely for my walk through with the builder. I contacted my agent who arranged for him to come the next morning. The time stretched on and I soon knew the inevitable was going to happen and I would miss my closing altogether. And that is exactly what happened. I did not make it to TV until 5:30 PM. I was in constant contact with my agent through all of this. However, because my wire had been received in advance, along with the closing documents, they treated it as a closing by mail and all was well. The next day I had my walk through and went to the closing office to get my ID and copies of all the documents! So I might advise you to do the same if you wish to make the trip down. :coolsmiley: hope this helped!

Hotrodgirl, Thanks for this advice. I will plan to close by mail and make sure the funds are wired in advance. If we can't make it to the closing it will go on as planned.

[graciegirl]

Good call Poromo.

And for those new to building in TV, they give you the date of your closing on the day you sign to build and unless there has been some hitch in buyers getting financing...they make it on time every time.

Wows me.

[CFrance]

Totally concur with closing by mail. So easy and no chance for travel mishaps getting in the way.

[cgalloway6]

Thanks Hotrodgirl
Can you change the date if it is not convenient?
If you change it before you sign the contract - should be okay. If you change it after signing the contract there is a $250 change order fee. If there are other things you want to change after the design meeting and contract signing, do one change for $250 for everything. Otherwise if you do changes twice, it's $250 each time or $500. Just don't wait too long or they may be past the point of being able to make your modification.
The builder usually has a week or two built into the schedule for unknowns so most homes get finished a week or so before closing. You can move the closing up for $250 change fee if your home is done and a COO issued but then you have to make sure all your financing and insurance can meet the new date as well. The lenders won't close without insurance coverage on the day of closing.

[janmcn]

The problem I see with closing by mail is that you are not there to make sure everything you ordered is correct. Once they have your money and you have signed all the papers, it becomes your problem to resolve. This is different than routine warranty issues.

[Rbgold]

The problem I see with closing by mail is that you are not there to make sure everything you ordered is correct. Once they have your money and you have signed all the papers, it becomes your problem to resolve. This is different than routine warranty issues.

After we signed our contract to build, our designer told us that she personally does a walk thu of the home to make sure all is what it is supposed to be prior to closing. Also receiving pictures from your agent lets you see if anything might be amiss. We closed by mail and had no problems.

[hotrodgirl]

I know that both my designer and agent did a walk through several days prior to closing. Even though I had intended to be there, they both checked it out against the orders. Then after you arrive, you will do a walk through with your builder and will be able to report any discrepancies within a week or so. No worries!