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House Closing Process for Sellers: Key Steps and Expert Advice
HomeLight
Real Estate
2 hrs ago
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Selling a home can feel like a race on a tightrope. You’re trying to move quickly while maintaining your balance on everything from finances to moving trucks.

Even after you accept an offer, the finish line isn’t quite in sight. So what can you expect in the final stretch of the house closing process for sellers?

We spoke with Jennifer Hupke, a top-rated real estate agent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who sells homes nearly 60% faster than the average local agent. She shares the key steps sellers need to know, common mistakes to avoid, and what a smooth closing day looks like.

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What is the closing process for a home sale?

The closing process is the period between when you accept a buyer’s offer and when the home officially transfers to them. For sellers, this phase is mostly about tying up loose ends: preparing the house, reviewing documents, and showing up ready on closing day.

Hupke explains that the true finish line is the closing table. “At the closing table, the seller gets the cash, and the buyer gets the keys.” She adds that in Wisconsin, “Buyers can move in on the same day of closing.”

Your buyer’s possession date will depend on the specific terms of the purchase agreement.

During the closing process, sellers are mostly focused on:

As you go through this house closing process as a seller, Hupke cautions not to jump the gun. “Utilities need to stay on until the closing date, so don’t shut off the gas, water, or electricity until the deal is officially closed.”

House closing timeline for sellers

The home sale closing process typically takes 30 to 60 days, depending on factors like financing, inspections, and negotiations. According to the latest data from ICE Mortgage Technology, the current national average for a home purchase closing is 41 days.

Here’s an overview of what typically happens between when you accept an offer and your home sale closing day:

  1. Accept the offer: Once you sign the purchase agreement, the buyer will usually begin or confirm their loan application, schedule an inspection, and arrange for an appraisal.
  2. Provide disclosures and required paperwork: In most states, sellers are responsible for sharing known information about the home, such as past repairs or defects. Your agent will help guide you through this step.
  3. Negotiate repairs or credits: After the inspection, the buyer may request repairs or ask for a credit at closing. You’ll decide whether to make the changes, negotiate, or stick with an as-is sale.
  4. Prepare for the appraisal: Lenders typically require an appraisal to confirm the home’s value. While sellers don’t attend the appraisal, it helps to keep the home clean and accessible.
  5. Get the home ready for the final walkthrough: Buyers usually do a final walkthrough 1–2 days before closing. Unless otherwise agreed, the home should be clean and empty.
  6. Attend the closing appointment: On closing day, you’ll sign the final documents and transfer possession of the home. Depending on your location and the terms of the contract, the buyer may receive the keys immediately or shortly after the transaction is complete. This is also typically when the seller gets paid.

For many sellers, the final week of closing and the walkthrough are when they feel the most pressure.

“The biggest complaint we hear during final walkthroughs is when sellers leave items behind that weren’t part of the sale,” Hupke says. “We tell our sellers to ‘do unto others as you would want done to you.’ So make the house presentable. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be left in broom-swept condition.”

As you approach your closing date, it’s easy to start second-guessing or doubting your efforts. This is when the guidance of a top-rated real estate agent can bring peace of mind.


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