Choose your escrow company carefully.

Consider their fees, recommendations from others who?ve used them, location (since you?ll most likely have to go to their office to sign the final papers), and size (a large staff doesn?t always mean a better company, but it may mean quick and efficient service).

Determine before you sign a listing or sales agreement whether it contains clauses or wording requiring you to use a certain escrow company.

While the escrow officer is never ?on your side,? you want to make sure that person isn?t on someone else?s side either.

Make sure your buyer has been approved for financing ahead of time. Otherwise delays in the loan-approval process can extend your closing.

Investigate whether your property may be subject to any liens which may impede title transfer.

Particularly if you have owned your home for a long time, there may be liens attached from the past that you weren?t aware of.

Make sure all necessary inspections are completed by qualified inspectors.

Understand All the Parts of Your Escrow

Make sure you understand all the requirements and steps of your escrow and are ready to act with no delays.

Examine Your Closing Costs

Unexpected closing costs are one of the easiest ways to eat up the hard-won profit you thought you were making on your home sale.

Make sure the only closing costs you pay are the ones you agreed to up front or along the way and that you?re not suddenly picking up part of the buyer?s costs or paying for something that wasn?t actually done.

By following this in-depth guide, you can rest assured that when you receive your settlement check, you?ve gained the maximum benefit from your home sale.

Congratulations! Now go out and spend it all in one place?your new home!