Where should closing take place?

[HuAi]

What is your state? New Jersey.

I am buying a property located in PA. Seller and I both live in NY metro area, I'm in NJ, he is in NY. Property in question is 2 hours away in PA. We would prefer to do closing close to both of us. Is it legal / prudent to hire a NY or NJ attorney to do a closing on PA property? Same question for Title Insurance company (my plan was to find a PA co. to do the title search).

Thank you

[FlyingRon]

I closed on a house in NJ without being there at all. Got a NJ attorney that I trust and gave him power of attorney to execute all the paperwork (boy is that easier than having to sign everything myself). You are forgoing your walkthrough inspection of the property if you don't go there.

[HuAi]

Thanks for the reply. I have contacted a PA atty, i'll go to closing, seller will not.

Closings always take place at the buyers title company unless specified elsewhere in your contract.

[FlyingRon]

Originally Posted by RealtorRyan

Closings always take place at the buyers title company unless specified elsewhere in your contract.

That's HIGHLY dependent on the local custom. I've never closed in NJ at any place other than a lawyer's office. Down here in Virginia, sometimes the closing is done in title offices, sometimes even in a broker's office.

Originally Posted by FlyingRon

That's HIGHLY dependent on the local custom. I've never closed in NJ at any place other than a lawyer's office. Down here in Virginia, sometimes the closing is done in title offices, sometimes even in a broker's office.

The only way you can close at a brokers or lawyers office is if the title clerk is willing to travel. If title companys will not travel, then you have to close at the title company.

MOST clerks travel, so technically you can close at any "suitable" location. But for reference, the default is always the Title Company.