Your role in this process is that of a bridegroom at a wedding: stay out of the way, be on time, and keep your mouth shut. Tom C. Korologos, U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, describing the advice he gives to presidential nominees. Quoted in the New York Times, September 4, 2005.

A commercial mortgage brokers duties at the closing table are, most of the time, much like the role of a presidential nominee. If youre feeling almost expendable as you sit at the closing table, if youre being treated as unessential baggage, thats because, unlike everyone else, youve gotten almost all of your work out of the way beforehand. Congratulations! On the other hand, if you're very busy and important at close, that's not a good sign for anyone! That means that there are a lot of loose ends to tie up.

So let's say your closing is going well--extremely well. There are still a few critical things left for you to do.

First, as Ambassador Korologos advises, show up on time (more or less). Try not to spill coffee on yourself along the way, and bring a copy of your invoice and of your engagement letter with you (in case there is some unclarity with regard to your fee). Then turn off you cell phone, be pleasant, stay out of the way and give up your seat to the elderly, pregnant or disabled and any legal type person who needs your space.

And try not to fall asleep because at some point, a settlement sheet will be passed around for various dignitaries to signyoure not one of them. Nonetheless, you must ask to see it, and you must inspect it carefully to make sure that your companys name is on it and that the amount to be credited to you at closing matches your invoice. Look for your front and back end points, if applicable. These appear on different places on the statement. If the numbers are off, ask the lenders attorney for an immediate correction.

Thats really the only semi-technical task you should be doing at the closing table. Of course, if the closing blows up in your face, you might end up dealing with any number of issues, including negotiating with the title company, the lender, attorneys on either side, and of course, your own client. In situations like these, of course, you could end up dealing with anything you didnt adequately resolve before the closing.