What to Expect During Closing

1. Final Offer Acceptance & Escrow Opening

Once you accept an offer, the deal officially moves into escrow.

• Buyer submits earnest money deposit

• A neutral third party (escrow/title company or lawyer) handles the process

• Timeline is typically 30–60 days

👉 At this point, the home is “under contract,” not yet sold.

2. Home Inspection & Negotiations

The buyer will inspect the property.

• They may request repairs or credits

• You can agree, negotiate, or decline

• Major issues can impact the deal

👉 This is one of the most common points where deals fall apart—stay flexible but firm.

3. Appraisal (If Buyer Has a Loan)

If the buyer is financing, the lender orders an appraisal.

• Confirms the home’s value matches the offer

• If appraisal is lower, buyer may:

  • Renegotiate

  • Pay the difference

  • Walk away

👉 Pricing your home correctly upfront helps avoid this issue.

4. Title Search & Legal Checks

The title company ensures everything is legally clean.

• Confirms ownership

• Checks for liens, unpaid taxes, or disputes

• Prepares title insurance

👉 Any issues here must be resolved before closing.

5. Final Walkthrough

Usually done 24–48 hours before closing.

• Buyer checks if the home is in agreed condition

• Confirms repairs (if any) were completed

• Ensures nothing has changed

👉 Keep the property clean and as promised.

6. Signing Day & Transfer of Ownership

This is the final step.

• You sign closing documents

• Buyer’s funds are released

• Ownership officially transfers

• You hand over the keys

👉 This is when the home is legally sold.

💸 What You’ll Pay at Closing (Seller Side)

Typical costs include:

• Agent commissions

• Title and escrow fees

• Taxes or transfer fees

• Repairs or buyer credits (if negotiated)

⚡ Timeline Snapshot

• Offer accepted → Day 0

• Inspection & appraisal → Weeks 1–3

• Final approvals → Weeks 3–6

• Closing day → Around Day 30–60

💡 Bottom Line

Closing is mostly about verification and risk reduction:

• Condition (inspection)

• Value (appraisal)

• Legal ownership (title)

If everything checks out, you get paid and the deal is done.