What Happens at a Real Estate Closing?
Updated: 6 hours ago
When you picture a real estate closing, you might imagine a big conference table, a stack of paper and a nice pen. Some closings still look like that, but much of the process is now digital. Many military families buy or sell from a distance and sign from a laptop. As a military spouse for more than 30 years and an Arlington Associate Broker with 560+ transactions, I've helped families close in person, by mail and online.
This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.
What closing means
Closing is when ownership passes from the seller to the buyer. The buyer's loan funds, fees are paid, the deed is signed and then recorded, and the buyer gets the keys.
The team
A closing is a group effort. Both agents, the lender, the title or settlement company and sometimes an attorney all work to the date in your contract.
What has to happen first
Before closing, your contract's contingencies need to be met or released. These often include:
A home inspection, if you have one.
An appraisal that supports the price.
Final loan approval.
Proof of homeowners insurance.
A final walk-through.
If any of these runs into a problem, the closing can be delayed. My purchase agreement guide explains how contingencies protect you.
How long it takes
Your contract sets the closing date. A financed purchase usually takes several weeks, and appraisals, repairs or loan conditions can stretch it. If the appraisal comes in low, the buyer may need to renegotiate or cover the gap. With a VA loan, the escape clause lets you walk away. See my VA appraisal guide.
Closing costs
Closing costs are the fees for the loan, title, appraisal, recording and prepaid items like taxes and insurance. Freddie Mac says buyers should generally be prepared for 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Who pays what is negotiable. Your lender must give you a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. Compare it with your Loan Estimate. For local costs, see my VA closing costs guide.
Closing day
Bring a photo ID. Plan to send your funds by wire or cashier's check, and always confirm wire instructions by phone with a known number, since wire fraud is common. If you're closing remotely, a notary or a remote online notary will verify your signatures. Virginia allows remote online notarization by commissioned electronic notaries.
In Northern Virginia
Most closings here are handled by title and settlement companies, and many can be done partly or fully remote for families still at their old duty station. My sight-unseen buying guide covers closing from a distance, and my mortgage scams guide covers wire fraud.
Last reviewed: October 2026
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