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