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