How to Prepare for a Smooth Closing

If you’re buying or selling a home, getting to closing can feel like the finish line.

You’ve found the house. You’ve negotiated the contract. You’ve worked through inspections, financing, paperwork, and all the little details that come with a real estate transaction.

Now you just want everything to go smoothly.

The good news is that there are several things you can do to make closing easier. The biggest one is simple: stay organized, stay responsive, and know what needs to happen before closing day.

As a Realtor® serving buyers and sellers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I know that the final days of a transaction can bring a lot of questions. My goal is to help clients understand what’s happening so there are fewer surprises along the way.

Here’s how to start preparing for a smooth closing.

Once your purchase agreement is signed, the transaction moves into a series of deadlines and milestones.

Depending on the transaction, these may include:

• Inspections

• Appraisal

• Financing approval

• Title work

• Required disclosures

• Negotiated repairs

• Final walkthrough

• Closing documents

• Closing day

You don’t need to manage all of this by yourself.

Your Realtor®, lender, title company, and other professionals involved in the transaction each have specific responsibilities.

What you do need to know is what is expected from you and when.

If you’re not sure what happens next, ask.

I’d much rather have a client ask a question early than discover a problem the day before closing.

This sounds simple, but it can make a big difference.

During a real estate transaction, you may receive requests for documents, signatures, information, or decisions.

When something comes in, try to deal with it promptly.

A delay of a day or two may not seem like a big deal. But when several deadlines are connected, a small delay can create pressure later.

This is especially important for buyers who are obtaining a mortgage.

Your lender may need additional information even after your offer has been accepted.

If they ask for something, get it to them as quickly as possible.

The same goes for your Realtor® and closing professionals.

If you don’t understand a request, ask for clarification. Don’t simply ignore it because you’re not sure what it means.

If you’re buying a home with a mortgage, be careful about making major financial changes before closing.

Your lender is reviewing your financial situation as part of the loan process.

That means it’s generally wise to talk with your lender before doing things such as:

• Making a large purchase

• Opening a new credit account

• Taking on additional debt

• Changing jobs

• Moving large amounts of money between accounts

Your lender can tell you what could affect your particular loan.

When in doubt, ask first.

It can also help to understand the overall cost of living in Ann Arbor when you're planning your housing budget. Your mortgage payment is only one part of the ongoing cost of owning a home, so having a realistic picture of your finances before closing can help you feel more prepared.

A quick conversation with your lender is much easier than discovering a problem later.

There can be a lot of paperwork involved in buying or selling a home.

Don’t wait until you’re sitting at the closing table to look at everything for the first time.

Review documents as they become available.

Pay attention to the numbers, names, property information, and other details.

If something doesn’t look familiar, ask about it.

You don’t need to be an expert in real estate contracts or closing documents.

That’s why you have professionals involved in the transaction.

The important thing is to make sure you understand what you’re signing.

For buyers, one of the biggest questions is often:

“How much money do I actually need to bring to closing?”

Your lender and closing professional should provide the information you need.

Review the final figures carefully.

Your costs may include things such as your down payment, closing costs, prepaid items, adjustments, and other transaction-related expenses.

For sellers, you’ll want to understand your estimated proceeds from the sale.

Those numbers can change as the transaction progresses, so don’t rely on an old estimate from several weeks earlier.

And there’s another important point here.

Be very careful with wiring instructions.

Real estate transactions involve large sums of money, and wire fraud is a real concern.

If you receive instructions to wire money, independently verify them with the appropriate closing professional using trusted contact information.

Don’t rely solely on an unexpected email.

It’s worth taking the extra minute to verify.

If the purchase agreement includes repairs, make sure they’re completed by the required deadline.

If receipts, invoices, or other documentation are needed, keep those organized.

This is one of those things that seems obvious until everyone gets busy.

The closer you get to closing, the more important it becomes to make sure nothing has been forgotten.

If there’s a problem completing a repair, communicate it immediately.

Don’t wait until the final walkthrough.

The sooner everyone knows about an issue, the more time there is to figure out what to do next.

The final walkthrough is one of the last steps before closing.

It gives the buyer an opportunity to look at the property again and make sure it’s in the expected condition.

You’re not doing another home inspection.

You’re checking the things that should be completed or in place based on the agreement.

For example, you may want to confirm that:

• Agreed-upon repairs were completed

• The property is generally in the expected condition

• Items included in the sale are still there

• The home hasn’t suffered unexpected damage

If you notice something that concerns you, tell your Realtor® right away.

Don’t wait until after closing to bring it up.

Sellers have their own closing checklist.

Before you leave the house, make sure you understand what stays and what goes.

This can be surprisingly easy to get wrong when you’re in the middle of a move.

Go through:

• Closets

• Cabinets

• Garages

• Attics

• Basements

• Sheds

• Storage areas

Make sure you haven’t accidentally packed something that was supposed to remain with the property.

You’ll also want to leave any keys, garage remotes, access information, or other items that are supposed to transfer to the buyer.

And don’t forget the condition of the home.

You don’t need to make it look like a showroom, but it should be left in the condition required by your agreement.

A real estate transaction can generate a lot of emails and documents.

It helps to keep everything organized.

Create one folder for your transaction and keep important information together, including:

• Purchase agreement

• Inspection documents

• Repair information

• Lender communications

• Closing information

• Important contact numbers

• Receipts

• Copies of documents you’ve signed

You don’t need a complicated system.

The goal is simply to know where everything is when you need it.

This may be the most important advice I can give.

You’re not expected to know everything about the closing process.

If you’re buying your first home, you may not know what a title company does.

You may not know exactly what happens at the closing table.

You may not know why your lender is asking for another document.

That’s okay.

Ask.

A good real estate professional should be willing to explain what’s happening and help you understand what comes next.

Most people aren’t trying to cause problems.

Usually, closing issues happen because something was overlooked, misunderstood, or left until the last minute.

Here are a few mistakes to avoid.

Waiting too long to respond

If someone needs a document or signature from you, don’t put it off if you can take care of it now.

Making a major financial change without talking to your lender

If you’re financing your purchase, ask your lender before making significant changes to your financial situation.

Not reviewing the numbers

Make sure you understand the money involved in your transaction before closing day.

This is also where understanding why the cost of living and housing can be higher in Ann Arbor can be helpful. Knowing what you're comfortable spending on housing before you get to the closing table can make the financial side of the transaction easier to manage.

Leaving repairs until the last minute

If something needs to be completed, give yourself enough time to deal with an unexpected problem.

Not asking questions

If something doesn’t make sense, speak up.

There’s no prize for pretending you understand something when you don’t.

If you’re about a week away from closing, take a moment to check where everything stands.

If you’re buying:

• Confirm your financing is on track.

• Respond to any outstanding lender requests.

• Review your closing information.

• Confirm the amount you’ll need to bring.

• Verify closing time and location.

• Confirm the final walkthrough.

• Ask about anything you don’t understand.

If you’re selling:

• Complete agreed-upon repairs.

• Remove your belongings.

• Leave items included in the sale.

• Gather keys and remotes.

• Clean and prepare the property.

• Review your estimated proceeds.

• Confirm the closing arrangements.

This doesn’t have to take hours.

A simple checklist can help you see what’s done and what still needs attention.

First, don’t panic.

Real estate transactions involve a lot of moving pieces, and sometimes something unexpected comes up.

Maybe a repair isn’t finished.

Maybe a document needs clarification.

Maybe the lender needs additional information.

Maybe something is discovered during the final walkthrough.

The best thing you can do is communicate quickly.

Call your Realtor® and the appropriate professional involved in the issue.

Trying to hide a problem or hoping it disappears usually doesn’t make things easier.

Early communication gives everyone more time to work through the situation.

The easiest closing days usually have something in common.

The buyers and sellers stayed involved.

They responded when something was needed.

They kept track of deadlines.

They asked questions.

And they communicated when something didn’t look right.

You don’t have to know how to handle every part of the transaction yourself. That’s what your real estate and closing professionals are there for.

Your job is to stay engaged and take care of the things that are within your control.

Housing costs are another reason preparation matters. If you're moving into the Ann Arbor market, understanding housing costs in Ann Arbor ahead of time can help you build a more realistic budget for both the purchase and the ongoing costs of homeownership.

If you’re buying or selling a home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, having a Realtor® who can help you understand the process can make the experience feel much more manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prepare for a smooth closing?

Stay organized, understand your deadlines, respond quickly to requests, review your documents, confirm your closing funds and details, and communicate with your Realtor® and other professionals throughout the transaction.

What should I do before closing on a house?

Buyers should make sure financing is on track, complete any required steps, review closing information, and complete the final walkthrough. Sellers should finish agreed-upon repairs, remove personal belongings, and prepare the property for the buyer.

Can I make a large purchase before closing?

If you’re financing your purchase, talk with your lender before making a large purchase or taking on new debt. Your lender can explain how a particular financial change could affect your loan.

What should I bring to closing?

The exact requirements vary by transaction. Your closing professional should tell you what identification, documents, funds, or other items you need to bring.

What happens during the final walkthrough?

The buyer generally checks the property shortly before closing to make sure it is in the expected condition and that agreed-upon repairs and included items have been addressed.

Closing day doesn’t have to be stressful.

The more prepared you are, the easier it is to deal with the normal details that come with buying or selling a home.

Stay organized. Keep communicating. Ask questions. And don’t wait until the last minute when something needs attention.

If you’re preparing for a real estate closing in Ann Arbor, Nancy Arnold, Realtor® with The Charles Reinhart Company, can help you understand the process and know what to expect as you move toward closing.