The Buyer checklist is shorter than that of the Sellers but just as important.  Again, the Buyer will often have an agent who you will work with regarding most of the items on this checklist.  You should always work with your agent first, but for the purpose of this article, we will assume that you are working through my office.  And regardless of which one you are working through, keep in mind that you will need the items on this list.

1.  As soon as possible, the Buyer should make contact with my office, and provide to us your telephone number, email address and a copy of the sales contract.  You should also determine who will be your contact person.  In most closing attorney offices, it will be a closing secretary or closing coordinator.  In the case of my office, I encourage personal contact with me.  I think it is important that parties know they can talk directly to the me, and I believe such contact sets my office apart from almost every closing agent in Birmingham.  And do not be afraid to ask questions.  Remember, we deal with real estate closings every day, but we understand that you do not.  There are no dumb questions so ask away.  By the way, email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is a great contact vehicle for my office.  Since I am often in the closing room, I may not be immediately available by phone so I check my email often from work and home.

2.   Provide my office with the name and contact information for your lender.  It is of vital importance that I talk to your lender as early in the process as possible.  They need to know that I am closing the transaction as we need to coordinate our efforts.  Your lender will need certain things from me and we will work together during the entire process to insure your closing will take place in a timely manner.

3.  Provide my office with information on your homeowners insurance coverage and contact information on your insurance agent.  You should also provide this information to your lender as they will need to contact your agent for certain information.

4.  Let my office know if you are requiring any of the following:

        a.  a survey,

        b. a home inspection, 

        c.  a terminte bond, and

        d.  a home warrantly .

On any of these you require please provide my office the contact information for the provider you have chosen.

Please fax any of the items on this checklist to my office at (205) 823-0233.   

There are other items that might come up (and almost always do come up!).  But this checklist is a great start to providing the information necessary for your closing.  If you have any questions about this article, please contact us at (205) 822-5444.