“Cash to Close” refers to the total amount of money that a homebuyer needs to bring to the closing table to complete the purchase of a property. It includes the down payment, closing costs, and other fees associated with the home purchase.
How is it Calculated?
The cash to close amount is calculated by subtracting any applicable credits, such as earnest money or seller contributions, from the total amount of funds needed to complete the transaction. The resulting figure represents the final amount of cash that the buyer needs to bring to the closing.
It’s important for homebuyers to carefully review their “Cash to Close” statement before closing to ensure that they have enough funds available to cover the required amount. The statement will typically be provided by the lender or title company several days before the closing date.
The Difference Between Cash to Close and Closing Costs
Cash to close and closing costs are both important concepts in the home buying process, but they refer to different things.
Cash to close refers to the total amount of cash that a homebuyer needs to bring to the closing table to complete the purchase of a property. This includes the down payment, closing costs, prepaid expenses (such as property taxes and homeowners insurance), and any other fees associated with the home purchase.
Closing costs are the fees and expenses associated with obtaining a mortgage loan and closing the real estate transaction. They can include loan origination fees, appraisal fees, title search and insurance fees, attorney fees, and other charges. Closing costs are typically paid at the closing table, but they can sometimes be included in the mortgage loan amount.
Do I Need Actual Cash to Close?
While the term “Cash to Close” may suggest that you need to bring actual physical cash to the closing table, in reality, you typically do not need to bring cash. Most real estate transactions are settled using wire transfers, certified or cashier’s checks, or electronic transfers, rather than physical cash.
When you receive the “Cash to Close” statement, it will provide you with the total amount of funds needed to complete the transaction. You will then typically work with your lender and/or closing agent to arrange for the transfer of these funds to the appropriate parties.
It’s important to note that the exact payment methods and requirements may vary depending on the specific transaction and location. You should work closely with your lender and/or closing agent to ensure that you understand the payment process and have the necessary funds available in the appropriate form.
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About the Author:
Babak Moghaddam graduated from University of Southern California in 1985. He entered the mortgage industry as a compliance auditor at the Bank of New York in 1986 and completed his masters in Business Administration two years later. After seventeen years in the traditional mortgage banking world Babak finally transformed this vision into his own practice in 2002 when he formed Charter Pacific Lending Corp, a mortgage company that has provided over $900 Million in residential real estate loans throughout Southern California. Babak and his team do things a little differently than other mortgage providers. They work as financial advisors, because they have come to realize that a mortgage is a very powerful financial tool. And just like any other financial tool, it should be managed as part of the overall financial management plan to reach every home owner’s long and short-term financial goals much faster. You can contact Babak for a free consultation and strategy session at (800) 322-1217 X103.