A - Well for one, expect to be signing lots of documents. Your Realtor should have procured a complete Closing Packet for you at least one day ahead of time and hopefully a couple of days ahead. He/she should have also advised you to seek the counsel of a lawyer to go over any and all legal documents with you ahead of time. Although many do not use a lawyer, it is the law in Michigan that your agent at least recommends it. You'll have to have ID with you - a driver's license will do - as well as the certified or cashier’s check for the down payment and any other closing costs that you'll be paying. Normally you will also have to pay a prorated portion of

the taxes on the house from the date of closing through to the next tax date. All of the costs that you will need to cover should have been provided to you in the Closing Packet on a Preliminary Closing Costs document. You should have your proof of insurance for the homeowner's policy on the house, too. Depending upon what you negotiated for possession of the house, you may get the keys that day (immediate occupancy) or the sellers may remain in the house after closing and will give you possession and the keys at a later date. If that is the case, the seller's will now become renters in your house until the date that they turn over possession. Congratulations, you are now a proud real estate owner

What if everything didn’t go well and we’re not going to close?

A - Sorry to hear that things didn't work out. If you made a valid effort to procure a mortgage but could not get one for some reason (perhaps you got laid off or your other debts were such that the mortgage company wouldn't lend you what you needed) within the allotted timeframe (the 30-45 days on the Offer form), then the original Offer expires. Once both you and the sellers have signed a form declaring the Offer to be null and void, you will be given back your earnest money. Better luck next time. Start over at step one above. Note that the seller or his agent may request some form of proof, either verbal or in writing, from your mortgage company that documents that you made a valid effort to procure the mortgage.