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For sellers
What slows a closing down.
None of these are unusual and all of them are fixable. They just take time.
- A name that does not match. Marriage, divorce, a middle initial on one document and not another.
- A deceased co-owner. Even a spouse who passed years ago. This needs handling before you list, not after you have a buyer.
- Divorce without a recorded deed. A decree awarding you the house is not the same as your name being alone on title.
- An old loan that was paid off but never released. Common, and it takes time to chase down.
- Your spouse. In Texas, if the property is your homestead, your spouse signs the deed whether or not they are on title.
None of these are unusual, and all of them are fixable. They just take time, which is why the best moment to raise them is when you list, not the week you close.
The best moment to raise any of this
When you list. Not when you are under contract with a buyer, a lender, and a moving truck waiting on a signature from someone nobody has been able to reach.
If anything above sounds like your situation, send me the address and tell me what you know. I will tell you what it takes and roughly how long, before it is urgent.
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.