Things they don't tell you to do during escrow

As first-time home-buyers, we waited to be told what to do each step of the way, but now that it looks like escrow is not going to close on time, here are some things they didn't tell us that may have made the process go smoother:

• Loan Documents: I had expected them to come through the realtors, since everything else was coming through them, but the mortgage broker mailed them to us and didn't think to ask if we'd received them until after they were due. I was able to get everything back to him the same day, or the next day, after I picked up the package, but we have a UPS Store mail box and don't check it every day, so it had sat there for about a week before he asked about it. I wish he had asked sooner!
• Home Owner's Insurance: I called around, got the best estimate on the phone, then gave the agents name and number to our realtors and/or escrow. I wish I had contacted the insurer directly after that and told him to get started on the policy, but I assumed the escrow people were taking care of that, since I repeatedly asked during the process what else I should be doing and no one said that I should be the one contacting the insurer. I still think that is the way it works normally - that the escrow people contact them, but it happened late and now the insurance may be holding up the process further because there were 2 claims on the house previously that needed to be researched.
• Mortgage Rates: To Lock or Float? We chose to float our interest rate because it seemed like they were going down, but then they went up instead. We ended up losing $1000 on a gamble, basically, because we got the same rate we could have locked in the first day, but we had to pay another 1/2 point to get it. Also, our broker called daily with the rates, but he called at the end of the day. The Lending Tree broker said she would call when they got a notice that the rates were going up or down mid-day as well as at the end of the day. I sort of wish we'd gone with her at this point. One good thing about our loan, though, is that we are able to set up our own account for saving for taxes and insurance instead of having the lender create an impound account. We'll make a little interest on it and be in charge of our own money that way.
• Keys to the Castle: The realtors can't let you have the keys if you want to go over to the house and take measurements or photos or get an estimate - they'll only give the keys to a licensed contractor for those sorts of things, or they'll go out with you. Not a big deal, but there was a mix up with the keys when one contractor sent an assistant to get the keys and they wouldn't let him have them. So, call first to let them know!

I guess we'll use the delay in closing to get a few more (competing) estimates for work:

• Popcorn ceiling removal
• bathroom remodels
• kitchen remodel
• new doors
• new windows

Then we'll make a PLAN. Ideally, the plan will have us get the most for our money, and prioritize which renovations happen first, which can wait, and help us plan the budget to save for the later ones.

Okay, off to make some more phone calls!