Closing day.
What happens between contract and closing, what to bring with you, and the one mistake that costs people everything.
What to expect between contract and closing
- Option period. A short window early on when a buyer can walk away. Inspections happen here. It ends at 5:00 p.m. on the final day and it does not extend for weekends.
- Title commitment. Our report on the property, delivered to you before closing. It says who owns it, what has to be cleared, and what the policy will not cover.
- Survey and inspections. Ordered early, because everything downstream depends on them.
- Loan approval. Your lender's timeline, usually the longest pole in the tent.
- Closing Disclosure. If you are financing, this is your final loan numbers from the lender. Read it carefully and compare it against what you were quoted.
- Closing. Signing. Then funding, which is when the money actually moves. Signing and funding are not the same moment.
What to bring to closing
- A valid, unexpired government photo ID for every person signing. Not expired. We check.
- Your funds, wired in advance. Wires are safer and faster than a cashier's check.
- If you are married, your spouse may need to sign even if they are not on the loan or the deed. Ask early.
- If anyone is signing on someone's behalf, the power of attorney has to be approved in advance.
About wiring money. Criminals target real estate closings specifically. Wiring instructions do not change mid-transaction. If you receive an email that appears to change them, treat it as fraud until you have confirmed it by calling a number you already had. Never a number from the email. This is the single most expensive mistake a buyer can make.
The questions worth asking
"Am I getting an owner's policy, or only the lender's?"
"Is there a new survey, and did I elect the survey coverage?"
"Are there easements or restrictions that affect what I can build here?"
"Is anything on the commitment likely to delay us?"
"How and when will I receive wiring instructions?"
Every transaction is different, and this is general information rather than legal or tax advice. Ask your agent, your escrow officer, and where it matters, an attorney.