How to Help Prepare Your Realty Clients for Closing Day

For our clients, closing day often looms large on the road to homeownership. Of course, how they respond to it as individuals will vary as much by their personalities and whether or not they’ve experienced a closing day previously. Some will take their first closing in stride. Others will meet the occasion with anxiety, no matter how many real estate transactions they undertake.

As a real estate agent, however, you can help make the experience easier to navigate for everyone. That’s why, as you prepare your realty clients for their respective closing days, we’ve created this article to help guide you.

Confirm that your client has selected homeowners insurance.

Most lenders require proof of homeowners insurance before they permit a buyer to close on a home. Ideally, this proof should be secured a week or more prior to closing, so encourage your clients to confirm with their lender when their mortgage company requires it.

Discover (and share) client-responsible closing costs.

As you know, the required closing costs may vary depending on whether you’re representing the buyer or the seller. They can also vary by the conditions of the sale and whether other realty professionals (e.g., a real estate attorney) are also involved in the process.

For buyers, they generally may be expected to pay fees related to the mortgage (including the loan origination fee), appraisal and survey fees, title insurance, proof of homeowners insurance, recording fees and prepaid escrow.

For sellers, they generally can expect to pay the real estate broker commission, settlement and reconveyance fees and title insurance. Homeowners Association (HOA) fees may be required, too, if outstanding.

Remind your client to bring the required items to closing.

There are a few standard essentials your clients should be prepared to have on hand. Typically, they include (but may not be limited to):

Buyers

• Government-issued identification documents (e.g., driver’s license, military ID or passport) for all buyers present at the closing
• A cashier’s check to cover closing costs
• Copies of the original contract with the seller as well as the disclosure statement
• Proof of homeowners insurance
• Any additional documents required by the mortgage lender
• A checkbook (just in case)

Sellers

• Government-issued identification documents (e.g., driver’s license, military ID or passport) for all sellers present at the closing
• Copies of the original contract with the buyer as well as the disclosure statement
• Cashier’s check for closing costs and any repair credits agreed upon in the contract
• Keys, garage door opener, punch codes and passcodes
• A checkbook (just in case)

>> Tip: Consider printing and sharing our tips on how buyers and sellers can prepare themselves for closing day.

Confirm (and reconfirm) the closing date, time and location.

Closing day can weigh heavy on the minds of your clients, but it’s likely sharing space with work, family and other obligations, too. That’s why making a point to confirm the date, time and location details once or twice in the run-up to the big day can be helpful. You may want to touch base with not only your client but also the title company, the other client’s agent and other interested parties.

Since your own schedule is likely busy, don’t forget to take time to ensure everything is correct on your virtual calendar, too!

Be prepared to answer any last-minute questions.

First-time buyers may be especially prone to last-minute worries, but other clients may have concerns or even develop a sudden case of cold feet as closing day creeps up. Anticipate needing to take time to reassure your clients, answer questions, and perhaps even make an extra call or two on their behalf.

Support your client as they review and sign documents.

It’s no secret that agents play an important role at closing, answering questions and explaining unfamiliar terms. Yet sometimes the grace notes you bring to your role can make a dramatic difference in your client’s experience.

By thinking through the unique needs and concerns of your clients, you may come up with some inventive ways to support them. For instance, you could bring coloring books or a couple of inexpensive, age-appropriate toys for small kids who may need a distraction while their parents sign documents. Or, if your client is going to rush over to sign documents during their lunch hour, offer to have a meal delivered for their drive back to the office.

These simple, thoughtful touches not only help make closing day more enjoyable but also may pave the way for referrals to your services down the road. So, snap a cheerful group photo to mark the occasion. Give a “happy closing day” gift. Who knows? You might transform an event about which your clients had been dreading slightly into an occasion that they’ll recall fondly.

The takeaway

For your clients (and you) closing day is the final stage of the real estate transaction. Although the prospect of it may seem daunting for buyers and sellers, you can ease their minds by helping them prepare and know what to expect.

Remember, too, that one of the most important things you can do to help your clients prepare for closing day is to refer them to the right title company in the first place. Be sure to choose one with the knowledge, experience and reputation to make you proud.

Are you or your clients looking to buy a home or property soon? Each time you’re asked for a title company referral in Central Texas, we hope you’ll choose Preserve Title Company, an RBFCU affiliate company. You can count on our friendly, professional team to provide the trustworthy service, expertise and commitment your clients seek. Contact us to learn more.

210-945-3370 (San Antonio) | 512-873-2523 (Austin)

www.preservetitle.com | [email protected]

This article was last updated in February 2025.

Disclosures

Preserve Title Company LLC is a subsidiary of RBFCU Services LLC. RBFCU Services LLC is affiliated with Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU).

Sources

The following sources were last accessed in February 2025.

“Homeowners Insurance.” National Association of REALTORS?, https://www.nar.realtor/homeowners-insurance.

“Homeowners Associations (HOAs).” National Association of REALTORS?, https://www.nar.realtor/home-owners-associations-hoas.

“Got Cold Feet About Homebuying? Here’s How to Cope.” realtor.com?, https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/cold-feet-over-buying-home/.