The final walk-through
Schedule it within a day or two before closing. Run the faucets, flush toilets, test appliances, open windows, check outlets with a phone charger and look for new damage or items the seller was to remove. Compare against any repairs promised in the contract.
Have a closing coming up? The closing package (signing, scanbacks and courier).
If something is wrong, tell your agent and attorney right away, since leverage is greatest before you sign.
What to carry
Unexpired photo ID, the funds as instructed by the title company, your copy of the Closing Disclosure, proof of insurance if the lender requested it, and a pen. If your funds are by wire, confirm the receipt with the title company by phone, using a trusted number.
Bring questions on a list. It is easy to forget them in the room.
During the signing
Read the Closing Disclosure once more. Sign only where indicated. Ask what each page is. Confirm names are spelled right. If anything differs from the earlier estimate, stop and ask. Let the signing agent finish each notarial step before moving on.
Do not feel hurried. The people in the room expect questions.
Funding and keys
On a purchase, keys are released when the title company confirms the loan has funded and the deed is on its way to recording. That can be the same day or later. Ask when to expect confirmation, and avoid scheduling movers before it arrives.
Get all keys, openers, codes and manuals the seller is leaving.
The first 48 hours
Change the locks or have them re-keyed, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, set up utilities in your name, update your address with the post office and banks, and save your closing documents. Mark your calendar for the first mortgage payment and note the servicer's name. Beware of any email claiming the servicer or title company changed payment instructions. Verify first.
Things to do the week before and questions to ask at the table
Review the Closing Disclosure, schedule the walk-through, line up homeowners insurance, confirm the final wire amount by phone, arrange movers for after funding, and book time off work. Check that your name matches your ID on every document. Gather checkbook and ID in one folder.
Notify your bank so a large wire is not delayed by a fraud alert.
What documents will I receive copies of today? When will the loan fund? When do I get keys? Who do I call about the first payment? When will recorded documents arrive? Who should I contact if I find a problem next week? Having answers in hand prevents the second-day scramble.
Finally, give yourself some margin on the day. Eat beforehand, charge your phone, and avoid scheduling an important meeting right after. If the signing runs long or the funding takes extra time, you will be glad you left space. A relaxed buyer asks better questions, spots more errors, and enjoys the day more than a rushed one does.
Checklist before you book
Do the final walk-through. Confirm funds and ID. Review the final numbers. Keep copies of everything. Ask what happens next and when.
Common questions
What if the seller leaves a mess?
Document it with photos and tell your agent and attorney immediately. The contract may provide a remedy.
Can I close without a walk-through?
It is usually allowed, but not wise. It is your chance to confirm the condition.
Will I get a copy of everything I signed?
Often a few key pages that day, with the full set arriving later from the title company.
More notary guides
- Wire Fraud at Closing: How Buyers and Sellers Stay Safe
- Cash-Out Refinance Signing: A Practical Checklist
- Refinance Signing: Your Three-Day Right to Cancel
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change; check with the office involved or an attorney for your situation.