Process

What happens on closing day

Who will be in the room, what you’ll sign, how your money moves, and how to make sure your final numbers and funds-to-close are crystal clear before you arrive.

For buyers heading to the closing table Plain-English overview of people, papers & money Includes a simple day-of checklist

Start your pre-approval → Ask your questions first

Big picture

Who this guide is for

This guide is for you if:

Your closing date is scheduled and you want to know exactly what to expect.
You’ve heard closing horror stories and want a calmer, clearer path.
You like to be prepared and want to double-check what to bring and when.

You don’t have to be an expert to feel confident at the closing table. You just need a simple map of the day and a short checklist to follow.

Basics

The flow of a typical closing

Exact steps vary by state and title company, but most closings follow a similar rhythm:

Check-in & ID verification – You’ll sign in and provide a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.).
Review of your settlement figures – The closing agent or settlement officer will walk you through the final numbers: purchase price, credits, costs, prepaid items, and your funds-to-close.
Signing your loan documents – You’ll sign the note, deed of trust or mortgage, and other lender-required paperwork.
Signing title & transfer docs – These documents handle the legal transfer of the property into your name.
Funding & keys – Once the lender releases funds and, where required, the deed is recorded, you’re officially the owner and can receive keys.

Your job is to ask questions, review what’s in front of you, and sign with confidence—not to memorize every legal term. The closing team and your lender are there to help explain anything that doesn’t feel clear.

People

Who’s typically in the room (and what they do)

Depending on your area and how your contract is written, different people may be present, but you’ll usually see:

You (and any co-borrowers) – The buyers signing the loan and ownership documents.
Closing or escrow officer – The neutral third party who runs the signing, explains documents, and handles the money and paperwork.
Your real estate agent – There to support you, help answer contract-related questions, and celebrate with you.
The seller and their agent – Sometimes they’ll sign separately; other times you’ll overlap briefly.
Your lender team (often by phone) – Even if we aren’t physically in the room, you can absolutely call or text us if something needs clarity.

The goal is a team environment: everyone in that room is working together to get you successfully and safely into your new home.

Paperwork

Key documents you’ll see and sign

There can be a lot of paper, but most of it falls into a few main buckets:

Closing Disclosure (CD) – A summary of your final loan terms and costs. You’ll receive an initial CD at least 3 business days before closing, then a final version at or before the table if any small updates were needed.
Promissory Note – The promise to repay the loan. It outlines your interest rate, payment, and repayment terms.
Deed of Trust or Mortgage – The document that secures the loan with the property itself.
Settlement Statement – A line-by-line breakdown of every dollar: purchase price, credits, fees, taxes, insurance, and the exact amount of certified funds you need to bring (or how much you’ll receive, if applicable).
Miscellaneous affidavits & disclosures – Things like occupancy statements, tax forms, and other state or title-specific documents.

You’re allowed to pause, ask questions, and make sure you understand the big-picture commitments before you sign. A good closing is calm, not rushed.

Numbers

How to know your final numbers before you sit down

You shouldn’t be surprised by your cash-to-close at the table. Here’s the typical timing and what we’ll do on our side:

Initial Closing Disclosure (CD): We’ll provide an initial CD no less than three business days before closing, so you can review your loan terms and projected numbers.
Final settlement statement: Before closing, we’ll work with the title/closing company to finalize your settlement statement so you know your exact funds-to-close.
Certified funds: You’ll typically bring either a cashier’s check or arrange a bank wire for your funds-to-close, based on the instructions from the title/closing company.
Secure communication: Because wire fraud is real, always verify wiring instructions directly with the title company using a known, trusted phone number before sending any funds.

Day-of closing checklist

Use this simple checklist to feel ready when you walk into the room:

✅ Valid government-issued photo ID for each person signing
✅ Cashier’s check or confirmed wire already sent (per title instructions)
✅ Copy of your final settlement statement and CD (printed or on your phone)
✅ Proof of homeowner’s insurance if requested (policy or binder)
✅ Any last-minute documents your lender or title company asked for
✅ Contact info for your lender and agent handy in case questions pop up

If you’re ever unsure about anything—especially wiring instructions or how much to bring—reach out before you move money. A quick check-in can prevent costly mistakes.

Timing

When you’re “official” and when you get keys

One of the biggest questions on closing day is, “When do I actually own the home—and when do I get the keys?”

After signing – Once all parties have signed, the closing package goes back to the lender for a final review and funding authorization (if it hasn’t already been issued).
Funding – The lender releases funds to the title/closing company, who then disburses money to the seller, payoffs, and other parties.
Recording (in many states) – The deed and other documents are recorded with the county to show you as the new owner of record.
Keys – Once funding/recording are complete and your contract requirements are met, you’ll receive your keys and can officially move in according to the terms of your agreement.

Sometimes all of this happens the same day; other times, funding or recording may complete later in the afternoon. Your agent and closing officer will keep you updated so you know exactly when you can start celebrating (and moving boxes).

Smart questions

Good questions to ask before and during closing

Here are a few questions that can turn closing day from “overwhelming” into “under control”:

Can you walk me through how my funds-to-close were calculated?
Which documents are loan-related and which are title or state-required?
What happens if I notice an error on something after closing?
When do my first payment and due date start, and how will I receive my statement?
Who should I contact after closing if I have questions about taxes, insurance, or escrow?

It’s your closing, your loan, and your home. There are no “dumb” questions. If something doesn’t make sense, that’s our cue to slow down and explain.

Want a walkthrough of your closing numbers and next steps?
We’ll review your Closing Disclosure and settlement statement together, confirm your funds-to-close, and make sure you know exactly what to expect on closing day.

Start your pre-approval → Ask your questions first