Settlement FAQs

how to decipher an alta settlement statement

by Dylan Bergnaum Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A standard settlement statement has a column for the seller’s debits and credits on one side, a column for the buyer’s debits and credits on the other, and a description of the charge in the middle. Below we use the ALTA form as an example and break it down, line by line. Source: (American Land and Title Association)

Full Answer

What is an Alta/Closing Disclosure/HUD-1 statement?

ALTA Settlement Statements are used in conjunction with the HUD-1 settlement statement. Under the new CFPB regulations, most real estate transactions require the use of the new Closing Disclosure Form. However, the HUD-1 settlement statement is still used in certain cases such as: Home equity revolving lines of credit.

What is an affidavit of title and Alta statement?

c. American Land Title Association (ALTA) Statement. Not unlike the Affidavit of Title, the ALTA statement contains representations regarding the status of the property’s title (e.g., the lack of easements and other encumbrances, the lack of any other claims to possession or lien on the property).

What is a HUD-1 Settlement Statement?

The HUD-1 Settlement Statement is a standardized mortgage lending form in use in the United States of America on which creditors or their closing agents itemize all charges imposed on buyers and sellers in consumer credit mortgage transactions.

What is an ALTA mortgage?

  • Documentation: The most common characteristic of an Alt-A loan is a lack of documentation verifying a borrower’s income, assets, or employment.
  • Credit score: Alt-A mortgage loan borrowers have clean, but not perfect, credit histories. ...
  • Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders allow for higher debt-to-income ratios in Alt-A mortgage loans.

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How do you read an Alta statement?

The ALTA statement is an itemized list of all the cost components that the seller and the buyer are supposed to pay during the home closing process to multiple parties. The statement segregates these cost components into 8-9 sections. Each cost component could either be debited or credited to the concerned party.

How do I read my Alta settlement statement for taxes?

4:0613:06How To Read A Closing Statement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSide description in the middle. And buyer on the right. Side under both seller and buyer you'll seeMoreSide description in the middle. And buyer on the right. Side under both seller and buyer you'll see two columns one called debit. And the other credit.

How do you read a borrower's settlement statement?

4:567:31How To Read A Settlement Statement From Your Real Estate ClosingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first part of that left side is showing you what you owe which is usually your sale priceMoreSo the first part of that left side is showing you what you owe which is usually your sale price plus closing costs plus any pro rated items like hoa dues.

What does POC stand for on a Alta settlement statement?

Paid outside closing (POC) is the fees or payments rendered outside of normal title insurance and underwriting fees due at the time of closing a loan.

Where does the purchase price appear on a settlement statement?

Where does the purchase price appear on the settlement statement? debit for the buyer credit for the seller. Where does the buyers new loan appear on the settlement statement? Credit buyer- The buyers debit column lists all the charges to the buyer; the credit column shows how the buyer is going to pay the charges.

What is the difference between a closing disclosure and a settlement statement?

While closing disclosures provide information about a borrower's loan, settlement statements do not include loan information. Settlement statements are used for commercial transactions and cash closings.

How do you explain a settlement statement?

A settlement statement is a document summarizing all costs owed by or credits due to the homebuyer and seller (or borrower if refinancing). The document also includes the purchase price of the property, loan amount and other details.

What is the primary purpose of the settlement statement?

A settlement statement is a document that summarizes the terms and conditions of a settlement agreement between parties. Commonly used for loan agreements, a settlement statement details the terms and conditions of the loan and all costs owed by or credits due to the buyer or seller.

What is a debit on a closing statement?

A debit is money you owe, and a credit is money coming to you. The debit section highlights items that are part of the total dollar amount owed at closing. This includes the amount due for closing and title costs, which are generally split between the buyer and the seller- who pays how much is generally negotiable.

What is DT in title?

A mortgage or deed of trust is an agreement in which a borrower puts up title to real estate as security (collateral) for a loan.

What is POC title?

Person of color or people of color.

What does H W mean in real estate?

The words after the names could be "husband and wife" (also abbreviated as H/W), or "joint tenant with right of survivorship" (abbreviated as JTWROS), or "tenants in common." Each of those phrases means something in law that could affect your rights as an owner.

What is a final closing statement?

DEFINITION. A closing statement is a written record of the terms of a loan or other financial transaction, disclosing the final terms of an agreement.

Which of the following would be considered a seller credit on the closing statement?

Which of the following would be treated as a credit on the seller's closing statement? prepaid taxes. If a seller has already paid for a period of property tax that must be reimbursed by the buyer, it would be a credit on the seller's closing statement.

What is a closing statement?

A closing statement is a form used in a real estate transaction that includes an itemized list of all the buying or selling costs associated with that transaction. It's a standard element of home sales, especially those that involve mortgages, and refinancings.

Which of the following charges will appear as a debit to them on the settlement statement?

Which of the following charges is generally a debit to the seller on the settlement statement? The seller is generally responsible for real estate sales commission as agreed to in the listing agreement and again in the purchase and sale agreement. a credit to the buyer and a debit to the seller.

What is the ALTA Settlement Statement?

The ALTA Settlement Statement is a form that itemizes all of the credits and costs associated with a real estate transaction. There are four different versions of this form, including:

What Information Does the ALTA Settlement Statement Contain?

The charges listed in the ALTA Settlement Statement are broken down into ten different categories, including:

What is excess deposit?

Excess Deposit—any money in escrow over the amount the buyer and seller agreed to pay

Why do buyers and sellers get different versions of closing disclosure forms?

This is partly because the Closing Disclosure contains personal information like your social security number you may not want others to know.

What is the middle column in a closing?

The middle column shows all the closing costs involved in the transaction. It’s divided up into sections so buyers and sellers can see the types of fees they’ll need to pay. There’s also a column on either side of the middle section—one for the buyer and one for the seller.

What does ALTA stand for?

ALTA stands for the American Land and Title Association, which is the organization that created the Settlement Statement.

Do points appear in a debit?

Sometimes a seller agrees to pay for the buyer’s points, so they may appear in the seller’s column as a debit.

What is the ALTA Settlement Statement?

The ALTA Payment Statement is a form that lists all the credits and expenses associated with a real estate transaction. There are four different versions of this form, including:

What Information Does the ALTA Settlement Statement Contain?

The fees listed in the ALTA Statement of Settlement are divided into ten different categories, including:

Is an ALTA Settlement Statement Required?

The ALTA settlement statement is not required by law. They are meant to be used in conjunction with Closing Disclosures which are required by both the buyer and seller by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Why use ALTA settlement statement?

Another benefit of using the ALTA Settlement Statements is the ability to disclose the actual premiums of title insurance charged to the homebuyer or seller during the closing transaction. In the majority of states, the cost of a homebuyer’s title insurance premiums will be inaccurate on the Closing Disclosure form due to a mandatory calculation method imposed by the Bureau in situations where the lender’s and owner’s title insurance policies are simultaneously issued. Many state regulators require settlement agents to disclose the actual costs for each fee the homebuyer is responsible for paying. The ALTA Settlement Statements help settlement agents disclose the accurate costs to homebuyers.

How to contact ALTA?

Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].

Does Wells Fargo use ALTA?

The ALTA Settlement Statements help settlement agents disclose the accurate costs to homebuyers. Wells Fargo and Bank of America will allow use of the ALTA Settlement Statement.

Where Can I Download a Sample ALTA Settlement Statement?

You can download a sample ALTA statement by clicking the text link below.

What is an ALTA Statement?

The ALTA settlement statement is an itemized list of all of the fees or charges that the buyer and seller will pay during the settlement portion of a real estate transaction. Everything from the sale price, loan amounts, school taxes and other pertinent information is contained in this document.

What is closing disclosure?

The closing disclosure is provided to the buyer and pertains a list of fees and costs and how they work into the buyer’s total expense. It is important to note that only the lender can provide the Closing Disclosure to the buyer 3 days prior to closing? And only the buyer should be able to see it unless they allow the release of it by signing a release disclosure. You should also know that the lender is obligated under the TRID regulations, and the lender can be penalized for failing to disclose 3 days after they’re loan application is approved and again 3 days prior to closing.

What is a settlement statement?

Settlement Statements – This is the version supplied solely to the buyer and contains only information pertinent to the buyers side of the transaction.

What is a HUD-1?

A Hud-1 used to be the primary statement associated with real estate and is used to document all cash transactions and how they affect both parties. It is now outdated. The Closing Disclosure was introduced in 2015 as a document that instead contains this information strictly for the buyer.

Why is a standard form required for title insurance?

Having a standard form for nearly all title insurance policy transactions maintains that all exchanges of land are done smoothly and efficiently.

Is ALTA the same as net sale?

No, an ALTA settlement statement is not the same as the net sale sheet. A net sheet is a document that can be provided throughout the sale process to give the seller an estimate on what they can expect to make. The net sale sheet is not final, and multiple sheets may be provided as offers are made and transactions process. An ALTA settlement statement is provided during the closing of a transaction and contains solid numbers rather than estimates.

What is a settlement statement?

A settlement statement is an itemized list of fees and credits summarizing the finances of an entire real estate transaction. It serves as a record showing how all the money has changed hands line by line.

Who is responsible for preparing the settlement statement?

Whoever is facilitating the closing — whether it be a title company, escrow firm, or real estate attorney — will be responsible for preparing the settlement statement.

Is a settlement statement the same as a closing statement?

Yes, a settlement statement is the same as a closing statement, though “settlement” is the formal term most likely to be used by the real estate industry.

What is an ‘excess deposit’ at closing?

A particular line item that causes confusion on the seller’s settlement statement is the “Excess Deposit.” What is an excess deposit, and who will receive the funds listed on that line?

What information is needed to complete a closing document?

At the top of the document (before you get to the portion that looks like a spreadsheet) you’ll see a few boxes for inputting information that records basic details about the transaction, such as the names of the buyer and seller, the property address, and the closing date.

When are property taxes prorated?

For instance, say you get billed for property taxes in February to cover the previous year. If you’re closing on a sale on April 30, the yearly property tax is “prorated” or calculated for the first four months of the year, and it’s reflected in this section.

Do you get a copy of closing disclosure?

Sellers do not typically receive a copy of the Closing Disclosure. In a cash transaction, there is no need for a Closing Disclosure since no one is borrowing money — however, buyer and seller would still receive a settlement statement summarizing their costs and any payouts.

How many versions of ALTA Settlement Statement are there?

There are four versions of the ALTA Settlement Statement available:

How to contact ALTA?

Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].

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