| "Your role in this process is that of a bridegroom | | | | your fee). Then turn off you cell phone, be |
| at a wedding: stay out of the way, be on time, | | | | pleasant, stay out of the way and give up your |
| and keep your mouth shut." -Tom C. Korologos, | | | | seat to the elderly, pregnant or disabled and any |
| U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, describing the advice | | | | legal type person who needs your space. |
| he gives to presidential nominees. Quoted in the | | | | And try not to fall asleep because at some point, |
| New York Times, September 4, 2005. | | | | a settlement sheet will be passed around for |
| A commercial mortgage broker's duties at the | | | | various dignitaries to sign-you're not one of them. |
| closing table are, most of the time, much like the | | | | Nonetheless, you must ask to see it, and you |
| role of a presidential nominee. If you're feeling | | | | must inspect it carefully to make sure that your |
| almost expendable as you sit at the closing table, | | | | company's name is on it and that the amount to |
| if you're being treated as unessential baggage, | | | | be credited to you at closing matches your |
| that's because, unlike everyone else, you've | | | | invoice. Look for your front and back end points, |
| gotten almost all of your work out of the way | | | | if applicable. These appear on different places on |
| beforehand. Congratulations! On the other hand, if | | | | the statement. If the numbers are off, ask the |
| you're very busy and important at close, that's | | | | lender's attorney for an immediate correction. |
| not a good sign for anyone! That means that | | | | That's really the only semi-technical task you |
| there are a lot of loose ends to tie up. | | | | should be doing at the closing table. Of course, if |
| So let's say your closing is going well--extremely | | | | the closing "blows up" in your face, you might end |
| well. There are still a few critical things left for | | | | up dealing with any number of issues, including |
| you to do. | | | | negotiating with the title company, the lender, |
| First, as Ambassador Korologos advises, show up | | | | attorneys on either side, and of course, your own |
| on time (more or less...). Try not to spill coffee on | | | | client. In situations like these, of course, you could |
| yourself along the way, and bring a copy of your | | | | end up dealing with anything you didn't adequately |
| invoice and of your engagement letter with you | | | | resolve before the closing. |
| (in case there is some unclarity with regard to | | | | |