What to Expect During the Closing Process

What to Expect During the Closing Process
By Josie Powell, Your Forever Realtor®

So…you’re under contract. 🙌
You found the house, got your offer accepted, and everything’s starting to feel real. First of all—congrats! This is a huge step. Now we’re headed into the closing process, which is basically the final stretch before you get the keys to your new home.

A lot happens behind the scenes during this time, and I always tell my clients: the more you know, the smoother it feels. So here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect once we’re officially under contract.

1. Your Lender Gets to Work

Right after we go under contract, your lender starts finalizing everything for your mortgage. They’ll request documents (sometimes more than once—don’t worry, that’s normal), verify income, and order the appraisal to confirm the home’s value.

Important: Don’t make any big financial changes during this time. Hold off on new credit cards, large purchases, or job changes until after we close. Stability is key right now!

2. Title & Appraisal Happen Behind the Scenes

While the lender’s working on the loan, the title company is checking the property’s history to make sure there aren’t any ownership issues or unpaid taxes tied to the home. You may not hear much during this stage, but trust me, things are moving.

At the same time, the appraisal is scheduled. It helps your lender confirm the home is worth the price you’re paying.

3. Time to Choose Insurance

You’ll need to lock in your homeowners insurance before we close. Some properties also require flood or wind coverage, depending on location, so I always recommend shopping around early. Once you’ve picked a policy, your lender will handle the rest.

4. Final Loan Approval & Your Closing Disclosure

Once all the ducks are in a row, your lender will issue a “clear to close” and send over your Closing Disclosure (usually 3 business days before closing). This shows your final numbers—including your loan terms, payment, and what you’ll need to bring to closing, if anything.

I’ll go over it with you to make sure everything looks right before the big day.

5. Closing Day! 🎉

This is it! You’ll sign your final documents, either at the title company or possibly online, depending on the situation. Once the paperwork is done and funds are received, you’ll officially be a homeowner.

Then it’s time to grab the keys and celebrate!

My Advice?

Don’t stress. I know it can feel like a lot, but I’ll be here through the entire process to answer questions, explain what’s happening, and make sure everything stays on track.

We’ve got this, and I’m so excited for you!

—

Josie Powell | Fort Worth Realtor®
Local know-how. Big heart. Solid guidance.
📱 817-718-5720
📧 JosiePowell@judgefite.com