(Old) Greene County Courthouse (Flickr credit: jimmywayne)
If you are buying or selling real estate, you might just want to take a close look at the calender when you are picking out your settlement date.
First, cross out weekends.
Second, cross out national holidays.
Third, check your County Courthouse calender.
Huh?
The Courthouse Calender may screw up your plans
The Courthouse calender is very important because the deed showing the change in ownership needs to be properly recorded in the land records. Maybe you are lucky to live in a place where this process can be done electronically, but in most places it is essential to get the physical paper deed to the County Courthouse as soon as possible to get it on-record.
Attention home buyers: In some jurisdictions you won’t get the house keys until you have gone on-record.
Attention home sellers: In all jurisdictions, you won’t get the proceeds (cash) until you have gone on-record.
And if you are selling a home with an FHA mortgage, you better bank-in plenty of time so that your loan gets paid before the first of the month. Surprised? Read more about selling a home with an FHA mortgage.
REALTOR TIP: Plan Ahead!
Here is a line up of a few County Courthouse’s year-end calenders where I work:
- Arlington County Virginia ~ Closed December 24, 25 & 31. Also closed January 1, 2013
- City of Alexandria Virginia ~ Closed December 24, 25 & 31. Also closed January 1, 2013
- Fairfax County Virginia ~ Closed December 24, 25 & 31. Also closed January 1, 2013
- Loudoun County Virginia ~ Closed December 24, 25, 26 & 31. Also closed January 1, 2013
If you are time sensitive then knowing the Courthouse calender ahead of time may save your sanity over the holidays. Happy Holidays!
