Closing
The last step. You'll sign the documents, the lender will fund the loan, and the home becomes yours. Here's what to expect on closing day and what comes right after.
What Happens at Closing
Closing is the final step in your home purchase — the day you sign the documents that make the home officially yours. In this episode, I sat down with Kelly Wald, an escrow officer at Republic Title, to walk through what actually happens at the closing table and what you need to know going in.
Buyer and Seller Close Separately
In most Texas transactions, the buyer and seller sign at different times — sometimes on the same day, sometimes not. It doesn't matter who signs first. Once both parties have signed, the title company works with the lender to fund the loan.
You don't need to worry about an awkward encounter at the closing table. Separate signings are standard practice here.
Signing the Loan Documents
If you're financing the purchase, the bulk of your closing paperwork is loan documents. The escrow officer will walk you through each one, notarize where required, and verify your identity. You have every right to read each document — and you should.
A typical buyer closing takes 30–45 minutes. Some buyers finish in 10 minutes; others take much longer. Take whatever time you need — these are the most important documents you'll sign all year.
Funding Authorization
After all parties have signed, the title company sends the executed documents back to your lender for final review. The lender checks that everything is signed, dated, and that all conditions are met. Once satisfied, they authorize funding — and that's the moment the home legally becomes yours.
There's often a gap between when you sign and when the lender authorizes funding. This can take a few hours. Don't schedule your moving truck for the same time as closing — give yourself some breathing room.
Getting Your Keys
Keys are typically held at the title company and released to you once funding is confirmed. In some cases, your agent may coordinate the key handoff separately, or the seller may leave keys at the property during the final walk-through. But the standard practice is: no keys until funding.
Plan to celebrate — but plan for flexibility. I'd recommend taking the full day off around closing rather than trying to squeeze it in over lunch.
Closing In Person vs. Remote
Most closings happen in person at the title company, and I'd encourage you to schedule it that way if possible. But you also have the option of having a mobile notary come to your location, or — depending on your lender and the transaction — completing an online closing with remote notarization.
Regardless of how you close, we still need to get the keys in your hand. If you close remotely, we'll coordinate the key transfer with the title company or seller's agent.
After Closing: Recording the Deed
Once funding is complete, the title company records the deed with the county — this is the public record that officially transfers ownership to you. You'll receive the recorded deed by mail a few weeks after closing. The title company handles this step entirely.
You won't receive the original deed at the closing table. Don't worry — it comes later. What you will leave with is a copy of your signed closing documents and, most importantly, your keys.
These are in addition to the earnest money and option fee you've already paid — both of which are credited toward your total at closing. Your Closing Disclosure from the lender will itemize every dollar at least three business days before your closing date, so there should be no surprises. I review this document line by line with every buyer before closing day.
Key Terms
- Funding
- The moment when your lender authorizes the title company to disburse funds to the seller. This is the point at which ownership legally transfers to you. Funding typically occurs the same day as signing, but may take a few hours after the last party signs.
- Deed
- The legal document that transfers ownership of real property from the seller to the buyer. After closing, the title company records the deed with the county. You'll receive the original by mail several weeks later.
- Escrow Officer
- The title company professional who facilitates your closing — walking you through documents, notarizing signatures, verifying identity, and coordinating with the lender to authorize funding. They're a neutral party representing neither buyer nor seller.
- Dry Closing
- A closing where all documents are signed but funds are not disbursed the same day. This can happen if the lender needs additional time to review documents or if signing occurs late in the day. The home doesn't officially change hands until funding occurs.
- Recording
- The process of filing the signed deed with the county clerk's office, creating a public record of the ownership transfer. The title company handles recording after funding is complete. You'll receive the recorded deed by mail several weeks later.
- Power of Attorney
- A legal document authorizing someone to sign closing documents on your behalf if you can't attend in person. Must be prepared in advance and approved by the title company and lender. Useful if you're out of state or otherwise unable to attend closing.
Key Documents at Closing
The most important document you'll encounter at closing is the Closing Disclosure — a federal form from your lender that itemizes every cost in the transaction. You should have already reviewed it during pre-closing, but it's worth having the reference handy on closing day. If a leaseback is part of your deal, the seller's lease is also executed at or before closing.
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Closing Disclosure Explainer (CFPB)
An interactive, page-by-page guide to the Closing Disclosure from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Walk through a sample form to understand each section — loan terms, projected payments, closing costs, and cash to close.
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Seller's Temporary Residential Lease
Used when the seller remains in the home after closing. Specifies the lease period, daily rate, deposit, and move-out terms. If a leaseback is part of your transaction, this affects when you actually take possession and get your keys.
Helpful Links
An interactive, page-by-page guide to the Closing Disclosure from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Understand every line item before you sit down to sign.
Walk through the formA deep dive with Republic Title's Kelly Wald on what the title company does, how to read your title commitment, and what to expect on closing day.
Watch the interviewFile your change of address online with the U.S. Postal Service. Takes a few minutes and costs $1.25 for identity verification. Do this the week you close.
File your change of addressUpdate your driver's license address online through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Required within 30 days of your move — $11 fee.
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