{"id":21642,"date":"2023-07-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/?p=21642"},"modified":"2023-07-27T10:52:13","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T14:52:13","slug":"home-closing-process-for-sellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/home-closing-process-for-sellers","title":{"rendered":"House Closing Process for Sellers: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p>The home closing process can be tiresome. It doesn&#8217;t sound easy when you consider the time it takes to find the right buyer and do your best to finish any necessary adjustments to the house. But, once your home sells, you can feel some relief. Just remember, the journey doesn&#8217;t stop at selling. You will now enter into the closing process with its own checklist and costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Closing on a house is the most rewarding aspect of the selling process. It entails formally exchanging and signing documents and money to transfer the house&#8217;s ownership to the buyer. And, upon completion, the buyer is free to move in or start the renovation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/how-to-pack-before-moving\">6 Tips on How to Pack Before Moving<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>But, the process may seem daunting, especially if you are a first-time seller. With this in mind, we have all you need to know about closing on a home to ensure a seamless finish to the sale.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;what-happens-at-closing-for-a-seller?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>What Happens at Closing for A Seller?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/What-happens-at-closing-for-a-seller-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Home closing process\" class=\"wp-image-21644\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have found your most preferred offer, there are various things you need to do to finalize the home closing process for the seller. Here is a step-by-step guide to closing a house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;#1.-sign-the-purchase-offer<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>1. Sign the Purchase Offer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step to closing a house is signing the buyer&#8217;s purchase offer. This step establishes the timelines and other guidelines for the transactions&#8217; proceed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;#2.-conduct-a-title-search-and-get-title-insurance<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>2. Conduct a Title Search and Get Title Insurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Performing a\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/t\/titlesearch.asp\">title search<\/a>\u00a0ensures a smooth transfer of ownership at closing. The title search examines public records to establish and prove the legal ownership of a property. Should there be any claims on the property, you must settle them before the purchaser may take possession of the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, title insurance protects the buyer from any damage or financial loss resulting from unpaid bills, title defects, or liens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;#3.-complete-the-home-inspection<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>3. Complete the Home Inspection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While a\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/tips-for-home-inspection\">home inspection<\/a>\u00a0isn&#8217;t mandatory, most buyers demand it to guarantee there are no hidden or potential issues with the property. If your property has significant repair issues, you may need to address them before the inspection to prevent possible complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Should you discover a significant problem with the property during the inspection, you can pay the buyer to fix it if the purchase offer features a home inspection contingency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;#4.-get-a-professional-appraisal\u00a0<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>4. Get a Professional Appraisal\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to have a professional appraiser determine your home&#8217;s estimated market value. Typically, the appraisal will match or exceed the selling price. However, if your evaluation is low, the buyer may negotiate for a selling price reduction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/home-appraisal-for-sellers\">Home Appraisals: What Sellers Need to Know<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;#5.-final-walk-through<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>5. Final Walk-Through<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the final stages before signing the closing paperwork, usually 24 hours prior, is walking around the home one last time. The buyer and their agent will want to ensure that there has been no damage since the previous house inspection. They also check that you have done all agreed-on repairs and that no additional issues have arisen. Lastly, they confirm that nothing from the purchase agreement is missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;#6.-finalize-the-sale<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>6. Finalize the Sale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The closing date marks the finalizing of the selling transaction. On this day, you will need to sign lots of paperwork. While this step includes a stack of papers loaded with sophisticated legal terminology, you should review them all. Again, it is essential to consult your attorney or agent on any legal documents you don&#8217;t understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The buyer is legally the new homeowner as soon as all documentation is complete and they issue the agreed-on payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;what-are-your-responsibilities-on-closing-day?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>What are Your Responsibilities on Closing Day?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Closing-day-checklist.png\" alt=\"House closing process for seller\" class=\"wp-image-21645\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/95784_Zolo_CheckList_Superside_d3Interactive.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download the Closing Day Checklist<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You have to fulfill responsibilities to ensure an impeccable home closing process. Below are the roles you are required to effect during the property closing process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Remove all your belongings from the house unless otherwise stipulated in the contract. Significant appliances, for example, can occasionally be included in the purchase offer negotiations.\u00a0<\/li><li>Since moving is typically a mess, so you must clean up the property after removing your possessions. Leaving the property as neat as you want to find your new home is essential.<\/li><li>Complete all fixes and repairs you agreed to undertake.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, additional requirements in the sales contact may vary according to your municipality or territory. Therefore, confirm with your attorney or real estate agent to avoid inconveniences.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;what-does-a-seller-need-to-bring-to-closing?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>What Does a Seller Need to Bring to Closing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You are required to carry different items on the closing day. You must have your government-issued photo identification documents, keys to any property doors, and any paperwork or documents requested by the attorney or real estate agent. Such documents may include a copy of your agreement with the buyer and certified funds for closing costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;how-long-does-the-closing-process-take?<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>How Long Does the Closing Process Take?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/moving-costs-you-need-to-know-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"cost of moving\" class=\"wp-image-12737\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Closing a house typically takes 30-45 days, depending on the underlying circumstances. These factors include how fast you can get a professional property inspection and the payment mode.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are receiving the payments in cash, the closing process will be much faster as the buyer doesn&#8217;t have to undergo the procedures linked to mortgage approval. However, if a mortgage is involved, the closing time frame increases to 30-60 days. Nevertheless, closing on a mortgage is often quicker by days than completing a refinance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, remember that the closing timeline doesn&#8217;t entail the time your property will spend on the market. Finding a buyer may take some time, mainly if your home is in an undesirable neighbourhood or lacks curb appeal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/95784_Zolo_CheckList_Superside_d3Interactive.pdf\">Download the Closing Day Checklist<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"<strong&gt;final-words<\/strong&gt;\"><strong>Final Words<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the home closing process may be overwhelming and time-consuming, it is crucial in avoiding rushed selling decisions. Be mindful of any push to seal the deal quickly, as you may be signing an agreement you don&#8217;t understand. Agents, attorneys, or any other organizations assisting you with the sale will want their share, but they will not be there to worry about the long-term consequences of a bad transaction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Go through our closing day checklist before the new owner takes possession<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":22999,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-21642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-selling"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21642"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23000,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21642\/revisions\/23000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21642"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=21642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}