Real Estate Closing Checklist

Hire a licensed home inspector to evaluate the property condition. Review the report and negotiate any repair credits.

Title company researches property history to confirm clear title — no liens, judgments, or ownership disputes.

Earnest money is held in escrow by a neutral third party and credited toward purchase at closing.

Mortgage underwriter reviews all financials, appraisal, and property. Goal: receive Clear-to-Close (CTC).

Last opportunity to inspect the property before signing. Confirm agreed repairs are complete and property is in expected condition.

Sit down with the closing agent to sign all documents. This typically takes 1–2 hours.

The deed is recorded with the county, officially transferring ownership. Buyer becomes owner of record.

Receive keys, garage openers, codes, and any manuals. Take possession of the property.

Review the buyer repair requests. Negotiate which repairs to make, credits to offer, and which to decline.

Work with title company to resolve any liens, judgments, or encumbrances on the property.

Gather and prepare all seller-side documents needed for closing.

Vacate and clean the property. Leave it in agreed-upon condition for the final walkthrough.

Sign the deed and all transfer documents. Mortgage payoff is handled by escrow.

Deed is recorded. Existing mortgage is paid off from proceeds. Net proceeds are wired to seller.

Transfer all keys, codes, and property information to the new owner.

Verify all financial assumptions. Run numbers on rent, expenses, cap rate, cash flow, and exit strategy.

Arrange investment property financing. Rates and terms differ from owner-occupied loans.

Set up proper entity structure and insurance for the investment property before closing.

Walk with your contractor if rehab is planned. Confirm scope and budget one final time.

Sign all documents. Wire funds. Take ownership.

Quickly operationalize the investment after closing.

Ensure fully executed contract is distributed and all parties have copies. Open escrow and set up transaction management.

Track every contingency deadline and proactively manage each: inspection, financing, appraisal.

Keep lender, escrow, title, other agent, and clients aligned and on schedule.

Prepare clients for closing. Confirm funds, ID, appointment details.

Attend or monitor closing. Ensure smooth key exchange and recording.

Wrap up files, request reviews, and maintain client relationship.