Once inspections, appraisal, financing, title review, and other due diligence are progressing satisfactorily, the transaction enters its final phase.

This stage is about coordination.

There are still important deadlines, documents, approvals, financial details, and final checks to complete before the property officially becomes yours.

The goal is to keep everything moving, resolve issues early, and arrive at closing with no unnecessary surprises.

Stay Engaged After the Contract Is Signed

Once a buyer is under contract, it can be tempting to feel that the hard part is over.

But this is actually when several important processes are happening at the same time.

Depending on the transaction, there may still be:

• Financing approval
• Appraisal completion
• Title review
• Insurance
• Association approval
• Additional deposits
• Repairs
• Closing documents
• Final funds
• Final walk-through

Your REALTOR® should help coordinate these moving pieces and keep you aware of important deadlines.

Financing Continues Until Closing

If you are financing the purchase, loan approval is not complete simply because you were pre-approved.

The lender may still need to verify:

• Income
• Employment
• Assets
• Credit
• Property insurance
• Appraisal
• Association information
• Other underwriting conditions

This is why buyers should continue communicating with their lender promptly.

If the lender requests documentation, delays in providing it can delay the entire transaction.

Avoid Major Financial Changes

Until the transaction has closed, financed buyers should be very cautious about making significant financial changes.

Before doing things such as:

• Financing a car
• Opening new credit
• Closing credit accounts
• Making large purchases
• Changing jobs
• Moving large sums of money
• Making unexplained cash deposits

Speak with your lender.

Even changes that appear unrelated to the property purchase can affect underwriting.

Complete Remaining Deposits on Time

Some contracts require more than one escrow deposit.

If additional funds are due, buyers should make sure they are delivered according to the contract deadline.

Never assume that because the first deposit was made, nothing else is required.

Missing a contractual deposit deadline can have serious consequences.

Finalize Property Insurance

Insurance should be secured before closing when required.

Depending on the property, this may include:

• Homeowners insurance
• Condominium unit-owner insurance
• Windstorm coverage
• Flood insurance

For financed purchases, the lender may require evidence of appropriate coverage before releasing funds.

This is especially important in South Florida, where insurance availability and underwriting requirements can vary considerably by property.

Condominium and HOA Approval

If the property belongs to a condominium or homeowners association, the buyer may need to complete an application and obtain approval before closing.

Requirements may include:

• Application forms
• Fees
• Financial documentation
• Background screening
• Interviews
• Orientation
• Vehicle registration
• Pet information

Association approval timelines vary.

Submit everything early whenever possible.

Waiting until the final days can create unnecessary closing delays.

Continue Reviewing the Association

Even after the initial document review, stay aware of any material developments that occur before closing.

For example:

• New assessments
• Major repair announcements
• Changes in association fees
• New litigation
• Insurance changes
• Significant board decisions

If something material changes, discuss it with your REALTOR® and the appropriate legal or financial professionals before closing.

Title Must Be Clear

The title company or attorney will continue working to confirm that the seller can legally transfer ownership.

Any outstanding issues generally need to be resolved before closing.

These may include:

• Existing mortgages
• Liens
• Judgments
• Probate matters
• Ownership discrepancies
• Association balances
• Recording problems

Many issues are routine and can be cleared.

The important part is making sure they are addressed before ownership transfers.

Review the Closing Disclosure or Settlement Statement

Before closing, buyers receive documents showing the financial details of the transaction.

Depending on the transaction and financing, this may include a Closing Disclosure or settlement statement.

Review it carefully.

It may show:

• Purchase price
• Loan amount
• Deposits already paid
• Lender charges
• Title charges
• Taxes
• Association amounts
• Credits
• Prorations
• Funds required to close

Do not wait until you are signing to ask questions.

If something looks different from what you expected, raise it early.

Understand Prorations

Some ownership expenses are divided between the buyer and the seller based on the closing date.

These may include items such as:

• Property taxes
• Association fees
• Rent
• Certain prepaid expenses

This is known as a proration.

The closing statement should show how these amounts are allocated.

Know Exactly How Much Cash You Need

Before closing, confirm the final amount you need to bring.

This may include:

• Remaining down payment
• Closing costs
• Prepaid insurance
• Taxes
• Association amounts
• Other transaction expenses

Do not rely on an earlier estimate.

The final figure may change as the transaction progresses.

Be Extremely Careful With Wire Instructions

Real estate transactions are common targets for wire fraud.

Criminals may impersonate:

• Title companies
• Attorneys
• Lenders
• Real estate professionals

and send fraudulent wiring instructions.

Never rely solely on an email telling you where to send money.

Before wiring funds:

• Verify instructions independently
• Call the title company or attorney using a known, trusted phone number
• Confirm account information verbally
• Be suspicious of last-minute changes
• Watch carefully for altered email addresses

If wiring instructions suddenly change, stop and verify before sending anything.

This is one of the most important security steps in the entire transaction.

The Final Walk-Through

Shortly before closing, buyers typically conduct a final walk-through.

This is generally not a second inspection.

The purpose is to confirm that:

• The property remains in the expected condition
• Agreed repairs were completed
• Included items remain
• The seller removed belongings as required
• No significant new damage has occurred
• The property is ready for possession

Take the walk-through seriously.

If something is not right, it is much easier to address it before ownership transfers.

Verify Agreed Repairs

If the seller agreed to complete repairs, review the relevant documentation when available and verify the work during the final walk-through.

Depending on the repair, buyers may also want:

• Receipts
• Invoices
• Permits
• Contractor information
• Warranties

The appropriate level of documentation depends on the issue.

Personal Property Should Match the Contract

If furniture, appliances, fixtures, or other personal property were included in the sale, confirm that the agreed items remain.

Do not assume something is included simply because it was present during the showing.

The contract controls.

This is particularly important for furnished condominiums and second-home purchases.

Utilities and Services

Before closing, determine which services need to be transferred into your name.

Depending on the property, this may include:

• Electricity
• Water
• Gas
• Internet
• Cable
• Security
• Pool service
• Landscaping
• Property management

You generally want essential services to continue without interruption.

International Buyers Should Prepare Early for Funds Transfer

International buyers may need additional time to move funds into the United States.

Consider:

• International wire timing
• Currency conversion
• Banking holidays
• Transfer limits
• Compliance documentation

Do not wait until closing day to initiate a complicated international transfer.

The funds generally need to be available according to the closing agent’s requirements.

Investors Buying an Occupied Property

If you are purchasing a property with an existing tenant, make sure you understand what transfers with the property.

This may include:

• Lease
• Security deposit
• Prepaid rent
• Tenant contact information
• Property management agreement
• Existing obligations

The closing documents should properly account for relevant rental income and deposits.

What Happens on Closing Day?

Closing is the point at which the transaction is finalized.

Depending on the transaction, documents may be signed:

• In person
• Electronically
• Remotely
• Through another authorized arrangement

The closing process generally involves:

• Signing required documents
• Confirming funds
• Paying applicable expenses
• Satisfying lender requirements
• Transferring title
• Recording the deed

Once the transaction has been funded and the required documents have been completed, ownership transfers according to the contract.

When Do You Get the Keys?

This depends on the contract and closing arrangement.

In many transactions, possession is delivered at closing.

But there may be exceptions, such as:

• Seller post-occupancy
• Delayed possession
• Tenant occupancy
• New construction delivery procedures

Never assume possession automatically occurs at a particular moment.

The contract should establish when you are entitled to take possession.

After Closing

Once ownership transfers, keep copies of important documents, including:

• Closing statement
• Deed
• Title insurance policy
• Survey
• Inspection reports
• Association documents
• Warranties
• Insurance information
• Loan documents
• Relevant receipts

You may need these later for:

• Taxes
• Insurance claims
• Refinancing
• Renovations
• Future resale

Homestead and Other Post-Closing Matters

Buyers making the property their primary Florida residence may want to investigate whether they qualify for homestead or other exemptions.

Because eligibility and filing requirements depend on the buyer's circumstances, confirm them with the appropriate county property appraiser or qualified tax professional.

International, investment, and second-home buyers may have different tax considerations and should seek appropriate professional guidance.

Do Not Let the Excitement Replace Verification

Closing day is exciting.

But before signing, make sure:

• You understand the final numbers
• The property is in the expected condition
• Title issues are resolved
• Financing is complete
• Insurance is in place
• Association requirements are satisfied
• Your closing funds are secure

A few minutes of careful review can prevent significant problems later.

Your REALTOR® Should Help Keep the Transaction Moving

At this stage, your REALTOR® should continue coordinating with:

• Buyer
• Seller's agent
• Lender
• Title company or attorney
• Association
• Inspectors
• Insurance professionals
• Other parties as needed

The objective is to identify delays early, communicate clearly, and help keep the transaction on schedule.

The Bottom Line

Closing is not just the day you sign documents.

It is the result of everything that happened before it:

Financing + Due Diligence + Title + Insurance + Association Approval + Final Verification

By the time you reach the closing table, the goal is that there are no major unanswered questions left.

You should know what you are buying, understand the financial commitment, and be ready to take ownership with clarity.