Ready to Close

The final step in your home-buying journey is closing the deal. This phase involves finalizing your mortgage details, preparing for closing costs (such as lender fees, title insurance, and escrow payments), and signing a myriad of documents.

Work with your lender to ensure all financing is in order, understanding the terms and conditions of your mortgage.

Before closing, contact your closing attorney to let them know if you will be signing in person or need to do a mail-away. Mail-aways need more time to overnight, as well as a notary. Attorney may also need time to verify wiring instructions.

For your protection, always independently verify wiring instructions either in person or by calling a trusted, verified phone number. Official wiring instructions will only come directly from your lender or closing attorney. As your agent, I will never send wiring instructions. If you receive an email appearing to be from me with wiring instructions, it is almost certainly a scam. Always exercise caution to avoid potential fraud.

Before closing, it’s important to schedule a final walkthrough. This usually occurs right before closing and allows the buyer to ensure the home is in the agreed-upon condition. Some items to check during your walkthrough.

• Basement, attic, and every room, closet, and crawl space have been checked
• Requested repairs have been made
• No major, unexpected changes have been made to the property since last viewed
• All items included in the sale price (lighting fixtures, etc.) are still on site
• All conveyed appliances are operating (dishwasher, washer/dryer, oven, etc.)
• Intercom, doorbell, and/or alarm are operational
• Hot water heater, Heating and air conditioning systems are working
• No plants or shrubs have been removed from the yard
• Garage door opener and other remotes are available
• Paid Bills, Instruction books, and warranties on appliances and fixtures are available
• All debris and personal items of the sellers have been removed

The day you've been waiting for!

After the conditions and provisions have successfully been made, you are officially ready to close on your property. Once the lender confirms we are “clear to close,” we will meet with the closing attorney to complete the transaction. Extra keys should be handed to the agent or left on the kitchen counter.

After the paperwork is signed, and funds have cleared, the deed is recorded - marking an official ownership transfer! The closing attorney, or agent, will inform the seller that the deed has been recorded, then transfer the keys to the buyer. If you are accepting a check, you may pick it up at the closing attorney’s office. Remember to disconnect or transfer utilities and save closing documents for taxes and records. Now is the time to celebrate!

You have just sold your home and ready to move on to your next adventure!

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