Things you don't think about until you are at the bank...

E: (Calling from the bank) Who do we get the cashier's check made out to?

N: No clue. Call you back.

After three calls, one to the loan company, one to our REA and one to the closing company, I had the answer. The check draining most, if not all, of your savings goes to the closing company.

Also, you don't know the total until the day before, if you are lucky, or the day of closing.

We were lucky and heard our total funds for closing today, with 3 hours to spare in the business day. Even luckier, our total came in lower by a lot. Almost 15% lower.

As of COB today, we will be ready to close on Monday, followed closely by shopping for paint and buying a new stove.