Sean’s Blog

Buying a House - Closing

Hopefully everything from the rememdy phase gets resolved without a problem and there is no need to back out of the deal.  When everyone agrees what needs to be done you are almost ready to close.  Usually the date for the closing will be se during the initial negotiation.  A day or two before the closing you will want to do a final walkthough and make sure that everything that was supposed to be fixed was, as well as no new issues have popped up while the sellers were moving out.
When the actual date of the closing happens you will go to a title company and sign ALOT of papers.  The sellers will be there and will sign their portion of the papers as well.  Your lender or agent should have let you know exactly what you need to bring to the closing (money (in what form as well, ie certified check, etc), identification, other papers).  Assuming it was not specified differently, you will get the keys afterwords.  Welcome to the wonderful world of home ownership!

Best Quick Tomato Sauce

Here is a recipe that I use at least once a week and I though I would share with everyone.  It is a great simple tomato sauce that is perfect for pasta, chicken or whatever and it only takes 2 or three minutes (once you get it down).  Here it is:
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 large cloves of garlic (more or less depending on your taste)
1 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.  Peel and chop the garlic (I like to smash each clove with the flat of the knife, pull off the peel, and then chop the smashed garlic).  Open the can of tomatoes. Throw the garlic in the pan with the hot oil.  If you’ve chopped it finally and the oil is hot, the garlic should start to brown within 20 or thirty seconds.  Don’t let it burn!  When the garlic is golden brown pour the tomatoes in (careful you don’t splash the oil). Season with salt and pepper and let the sauce heat through.  Your ready to go.  This sauce is really versatile.  Add some fresh herbs at the end (I like basil and oregano), add some red wine and reduce, or add some red pepper flakes for a bit of a kick.