What happens at closing?

Closing day is the finish line of the home buying process — the day ownership officially transfers to you. It's typically shorter and more straightforward than buyers expect: for most transactions, plan on about 1–2 hours from start to finish.

Before closing day: the final walkthrough

Shortly before closing — often the day before or the morning of — you and your agent will walk through the home one last time. This confirms the property is in the condition you agreed to and that any repairs negotiated after inspection were actually completed.

What happens during closing

1. Reviewing the Closing Disclosure. A few days before closing, your lender provides a Closing Disclosure outlining your final loan terms, monthly payment, and closing costs. Review it carefully and compare it against your original loan estimate.
2. Signing the paperwork. On closing day, you'll sign a stack of documents — the promissory note, the mortgage or deed of trust, and various disclosures. This typically happens at a title company or attorney's office, though exactly where and who's required to attend varies by state.
3. Paying your closing costs and down payment. Funds are usually due via cashier's check or wire transfer, not a personal check. Your lender or title company will tell you exactly how much and how to send it.
4. Title transfer. The title company or attorney records the transaction, officially transferring the title from the seller to you.
5. Getting your keys. Once everything is signed and funds have been confirmed, you're handed the keys — the home is officially yours.

Wondering how closing fits into the bigger picture? See our full step-by-step guide to buying a house, or check how long the whole process typically takes.

This page is for general educational purposes and describes a typical closing process. Required documents, who must attend, and closing procedures vary by state and by transaction. Please confirm specifics with your real estate agent, lender, and title company or closing attorney.