A real estate closing involves many moving parts. Our team helps coordinate the details, protect your funds, answer your questions, and keep your transaction moving toward a successful closing.
Once a purchase contract or closing order is received, your closing team begins coordinating the title, escrow, lender, real estate, and settlement requirements associated with your transaction.
Every closing is different, but the following overview explains the steps most buyers and sellers can expect.
Once we receive the contract or closing request, we create your file, assign your closing team, and begin gathering the information needed to process the transaction.
You will receive an order confirmation containing your file number, primary contacts, and important information about your closing.
If the contract requires an earnest money deposit, it must be delivered by the deadline stated in the contract.
Our secure electronic deposit service provides a convenient way to submit earnest money and receive confirmation after it is received.
We examine the public records to confirm ownership and identify mortgages, liens, judgments, taxes, restrictions, or other matters that may affect the property.
When necessary, we work with the appropriate parties to obtain documents or resolve title requirements before closing.
Buyers and sellers may be asked to provide identification, contact information, marital status, lender details, homeowners association information, payoff information, or other transaction-specific documents.
Prompt responses help keep the closing on schedule.
Your closing team works with the lender, real estate professionals, attorneys, and other parties to prepare the documents and financial figures required for closing.
Buyers with financing will generally receive a Closing Disclosure from their lender before closing.
Once the transaction is ready, your signing appointment will be confirmed. Depending on the transaction, signing may occur in an office, remotely, or through an approved signing professional.
Your closing team will tell you what identification, documents, and funds you must bring.
At closing, you will review and sign the documents required to complete the transaction. Your settlement professional will help guide you through the signing process.
Please ask questions whenever something is unclear.
After all closing requirements have been satisfied and funds are available, the transaction is disbursed in accordance with the settlement statement and closing instructions.
Payoffs, commissions, taxes, recording charges, and other authorized amounts are then distributed.
Documents that must become part of the public record, such as the deed and mortgage, are submitted to the appropriate county recording office.
Your final title insurance policy is issued after the necessary post-closing and recording requirements are completed.
Real estate transactions are frequently targeted by cybercriminals. Fraudulent emails may appear to come from a title company, real estate professional, lender, attorney, or another trusted party.
Always call to verify wire instructions before sending funds.
Never rely solely on emailed wire instructions, even when an email appears legitimate. Carefully verify the sender’s email address and domain name. Contact your closing team immediately if you receive changed, unexpected, or urgent payment instructions.
Funds required for closing must be delivered by wire transfer, unless another method has been specifically approved in advance by your closing team.
Do not send funds based solely on instructions received by email. Always call the verified telephone number provided by your closing team before initiating a transfer.
Buyers should begin arranging homeowners insurance as soon as possible. Most lenders require proof of coverage before closing, and insurance availability can be affected by property condition, inspection results, weather conditions, and carrier underwriting requirements.
During Florida’s hurricane season, insurance carriers may impose temporary binding restrictions. Waiting until the last minute can delay closing.
The timeline depends on the contract, financing, title requirements, inspections, insurance, and the responsiveness of the parties. Your contract establishes the scheduled closing date, and your closing team will work with everyone involved to keep the transaction moving toward that date.
Contact the Settlement Agent or Closing Coordinator identified in your order confirmation. Your Closing Coordinator will generally be your primary point of contact throughout the transaction.
Earnest money must be received by the deadline stated in your purchase contract. Contact your real estate professional or closing team immediately if you are unsure about the amount or deadline.
Your closing team and lender will finalize the amount needed after the closing figures are completed. Do not wire funds until you have received the final amount and personally verified the wiring instructions by telephone.
Funds required for closing must generally be delivered by wire transfer unless your closing team has specifically approved another method in advance.
Remote signing options depend on the documents, lender requirements, location of the parties, and transaction type. Contact your closing team as early as possible if you will not be available to sign in person.
Seller proceeds are released after the transaction has closed, all requirements have been satisfied, and funds are available for disbursement. Timing may vary depending on the transaction, funding, recording, and payment method.
The final owner’s title insurance policy is issued after the closing, recording, and post-closing requirements have been completed.
Your closing team is available to help explain the process, answer questions, and guide you through the next steps.
