After closing
Congratulations on your new home! Remember, your mortgage is a big financial commitment. Keep your documents so you can refer to them as needed.
What to do now
Save all your final loan and purchase documents in a safe place
Save the whole stack or electronic file. Double-check to make sure you have these four key documents:
- Closing Disclosure
- Promissory Note
- Mortgage (also known as the Security Instrument or Deed of Trust)
- Deed
Save your budgeting documents and other information you used during the mortgage process
This information may be helpful in the future.
Beware of junk mail
After closing on a home, many new homeowners get a flood of junk mail. After your loan closes, your deed and other mortgage related information are filed as a public record, and information like your full name, mortgage lender, loan amount, and address become publicly available.
Some companies use this publicly available information about you or your loan to send you advertisements or even scams. Don’t assume that mail with your lender’s name, or other mortgage related information, is affiliated with your lender.
What to know
Your Closing Disclosure can help you with your finances in the future
- Your Closing Disclosure can help you save money at tax time. Some of the closing costs you paid may be tax-deductible. You’ll need your Closing Disclosure to complete your tax return accurately.
- When it comes time to consider refinancing your home or moving to a new home, your Closing Disclosure reminds you of the types of costs you can expect.
- Your Closing Disclosure may also be helpful for tax purposes when you sell your home.
Companies often use tactics to appear as your lender. They might:
- Use your mortgage lender’s name at the top of the letter or notice.
- Include consumer information like name, loan amount, or closing date.
- Use phrases like “urgent message,” “important message,” or, “please call now.”
- Contain a disclaimer, usually in small print and at the end of the letter, stating the letter and company are not associated with your lender.
Visit our sources page to find more about the facts and numbers we reference.
The process and forms described on this page reflect mortgage regulations that apply to most mortgages.