A seller's closing checklist has seven steps: open escrow, finish repairs, get your loan payoff, review your costs, clean out the home, hand over the keys, and keep your records.
Most financed sales close about 30 to 60 days after you accept an offer. This guide shows each step in order, what you will pay, and what can go wrong.
This checklist follows the steps Andrew Liberty, a Los Angeles REALTOR® (CA DRE# 01965696), uses to guide sellers.
Seller Closing Checklist at a Glance
| Step | When | What to do |
| 1 | Days 1 to 3 | Open escrow, send disclosures, and ask your lender for a payoff statement |
| 2 | Weeks 1 to 2 | Answer inspection and appraisal requests and agree on repairs |
| 3 | Weeks 2 to 4 | Finish repairs, gather HOA papers, and track the buyer's loan |
| 4 | Final week | Review your settlement statement, confirm wire details by phone, and pack |
| 5 | 1 to 2 days before | The buyer does a final walk-through |
| 6 | Closing day | Sign, hand over the keys, and get paid |
| 7 | After closing | Confirm your funds, keep your papers, and plan for taxes |
Closing Checklist Step by Step
After You Accept the Offer (Weeks 1 to 2)
Your contract starts a clock. Each deadline matters, so mark them on a calendar.
- Open escrow with a title or escrow company.
- Send the signed contract and your disclosures on time.
- Ask your mortgage lender for a payoff statement.
- Let the inspector and appraiser into the home.
- Decide how you will answer repair requests.
Two to Four Weeks Before Closing
This is the time to finish the work you agreed to do.
- Complete agreed repairs and keep every receipt.
- Gather HOA papers, if your home has an HOA.
- Check in with your agent about the buyer's loan.
- Keep your homeowners insurance active until the sale is final.
- Book movers and pick your move-out date.
The Final Week
Small tasks pile up now, so work through them in this order.
- Review your settlement statement. It lists every fee and your final proceeds.
- Ask your escrow officer about anything you do not understand.
- Plan to turn off or transfer utilities on your closing date.
- Change your address with the post office.
What to Bring to Closing
- A valid photo ID
- All keys, garage remotes, and gate codes
- Manuals and warranties for appliances that stay
- Any papers your escrow officer asked for
How to Avoid Wire Fraud
Scammers send fake emails that change wire details. Call your escrow officer at a phone number you already trust before you send or confirm any bank details. Never rely on an email alone.
The Final Walk-Through
The buyer usually walks through the home one or two days before closing. They check that repairs are done and that nothing new is wrong.
Leave the home in the shape your contract says. That usually means:
- Empty of your belongings, unless you agreed to leave items
- Clean, at least swept
- Trash removed
- Fixtures and agreed items left in place
Closing Day
You sign the deed and other papers. In many cases, you do not need to attend in person, because you can sign ahead of time. Ask your escrow officer.
After the sale records, you hand over the keys. Your proceeds arrive by wire or check, often the same day or the next business day.
After Closing
- Confirm the money reached your account.
- Keep a copy of every closing paper.
- Cancel your insurance and autopay bills after the sale records.
- Your settlement agent may report the sale to the IRS on Form 1099-S.
- Ask a tax pro about gains. If you owned and lived in the home for at least two of the last five years, you may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly.
What Do Sellers Pay at Closing?
Sellers pay costs out of the sale money, so you rarely write a check. Agent fees make up most of the total. Here is what to expect.
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
| Agent commission | 5% to 6% of the sale price | Negotiable |
| Title, escrow, and other fees | 1% to 3% | Varies by state |
| Transfer taxes | Varies | Set by state and citySet by state and city |
| Loan payoff | Your remaining balance | Paid from your sale money |
| Property tax and HOA dues | Based on your closing date | You pay for the days you owned the home |
| Repair credits | Whatever you agree to | Lowers your proceeds |
| Total | About 6% to 10% of the sale price | $30,000 to $50,000 on a $500,000 sale |
Prices vary by state, city, and deal. Your settlement statement shows your exact numbers.
Want to see what a sale could leave in your pocket? Ask an agent for a net sheet before you list.
What Can Go Wrong Before Closing
Most closings go smoothly. These four problems come up most often, and each has a fix.
The Buyer's Loan Runs Late
Ask your agent for updates each week. If the lender needs more time, you can agree to a short extension in writing.
The Appraisal Comes In Low
The buyer's lender will not lend more than the home appraises for. You can lower the price, split the gap, or ask the buyer to pay the difference.
A Lien Shows Up
A title search may find unpaid bills tied to the home. Your escrow officer can usually pay them from your sale money at closing.
The Walk-Through Finds a New Problem
Fix it, offer a credit, or ask your agent how to handle it. Do not ignore it, because the buyer may delay closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a seller need to do before closing?
Finish agreed repairs, send your disclosures, get a loan payoff statement, review your settlement statement, and move out. Leave the home clean and bring your keys to closing.
What happens at closing for the seller?
You sign the deed and other papers, hand over the keys, and receive your proceeds. The sale is final when the deed records with the county.
How long does closing take after you accept an offer?
Most financed sales close in about 30 to 60 days. Cash sales can close in as little as one to two weeks.
Do sellers have to be at closing?
Not always. Many sellers sign ahead of time or use a mobile notary. Ask your escrow officer what your state allows.
When does the seller get paid after closing?
You are usually paid after the sale records, often the same day or the next business day. Timing depends on your bank and the escrow company.
Can a seller back out before closing?
Usually not without a reason in the contract. An accepted offer is a binding agreement. Talk to your agent or a real estate attorney before you try to cancel.
Who pays property taxes at closing?
Both sides share them. You pay for the days you owned the home, and the buyer pays for the rest. Your settlement statement shows the split.
Does a seller have to clean the house before closing?
Yes, unless your contract says otherwise. Plan to leave the home empty, swept, and free of trash.
