Let’s take a look at the documents that get a closing done.
The Deed
The Deed is the piece of paper showing you own the property.
There are several different types of deed, here are the primary ones:
Bargain
and Sale Deed. The type commonly
used in southern New York State. It
transfers the property to the buyer but the seller does not make any specific
warranties that he actually owns the property.
However, it usually comes with a covenant that seller has not encumbered
the property in any way other than what has been already disclosed.
Warranty
Deed. The type more commonly used in
upstate New York. In this deed the
seller specifically warrants that he owns the property and will do whatever it
takes to resolve any claims that come from the time he owned the property
Quitclaim
Deed. This is the most basic of
deeds. The seller only states that he transfers whatever interest he owns in
the property to the buyer. There is no
representation that he owns the property or that it doesn’t have any claims
against it.
Executors/Administrators
Deed. This deed is used when the
property owner has died and the executor or administrator has to transfer the
property.
When you get a loan to buy property you sign a note. This is the document that sets out the terms
of the loan. How much, the interest rate,
when payments are due and so on.
The mortgage goes along with the note. It is the lender’s security. The mortgage says, if you don’t pay the note,
we can take the house and sell it to get our money back.
HUD-1 When you borrow from a bank, at the closing
they provide you with a settlement statement known as the HUD-1. This is a form set forth by the department of
Housing and Urban Development. It is
supposed to make a clear report of where the money you borrowed went. It is not always clear, but your accountant
will want this come tax time.
Transfer Documents
Of course the government has to get involved. Each county in
New York State keeps track of who owns real property in that county. When you buy property you record the deed
with the county clerk. This puts
everyone on notice that you own that property.
Likewise, the lender will record the mortgage to let everyone know that
they have an interest in the property.
When you file a deed, it must have transfer documents along
with it.
TP-584. New York State Real Property Transfer Tax
Return. A seller must pay a transfer tax
of $2 for each $500 of the price, (or 4%).
Id the property is more than $1,000,000, then the buyer also pays a “mansion
tax” of %1.
If the property is in the five east end towns of Long Island
there is a Peconic
Bay Region Community Preservation Fund tax of 2% paid by the buyer.
RP-5217,
often known as the reconciliation form.
This is a New York State form that reports the property and price. The state uses this to keep track of property
values in the state.
In New York City the closing documents are more complex and
need to be filled out online through
ACRIS,
(Automated City Register Information System).
Thanks to the title company we have worked with for over 20
years, Abstracts Incorporated for
the links to some documents.