{"id":9957,"date":"2023-06-20T05:52:36","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T12:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=9957"},"modified":"2025-10-31T06:52:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T13:52:04","slug":"what-to-bring-at-closing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/what-to-bring-at-closing\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Bring at Closing: For a Seller, the List Is Short and Sweet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Closing is a vastly different experience for homebuyers and home sellers. For buyers, it\u2019s just the beginning: a new start. For sellers, it\u2019s the culmination of a lot of work. Selling a house involves many steps, such as prepping<\/a> and staging the house<\/a>, showing it<\/a>, and negotiating the deal<\/a>. Closing signifies the end: a time to cash the check<\/a> and move on.<\/p>\n

Buyers must bring a passel of documents and a cashier\u2019s check to closing. They\u2019ll sign<\/a> numerous documents. Unless you live in a state requiring an attorney<\/a> to be present at closing, closing documents for sellers are minimal; there\u2019s less to sign<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this post, we’ll show you what to bring and what you\u2019ll need to sign to close the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n \"homelight\n <\/div>\n \n

Connect with a Top Agent to Sail Through to Closing<\/h3>\n

Working with a top agent can help you get to closing day faster \u2014 and get you more for your home sale. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.<\/p>\n \n

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What can home sellers expect on closing day?<\/h2>\n

DISCLAIMER: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes, not financial or legal advice. If you need help with closing documents, HomeLight encourages you to consult your own advisor.<\/em><\/p>\n

What happens on closing day for the seller? Closing \u2013 also known as settlement \u2013 officially transfers property ownership from the seller to the buyer. It typically occurs about four to six weeks<\/a> after signing the purchase agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But even before you get to closing, the seller has a few tasks to complete, such as making agreed-on repairs<\/a> to the property and producing a title search<\/a> indicating the title is unencumbered<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the designated day, all parties meet at a neutral location, such as a title company, escrow company, or mortgage lender. Although the buyer and buyer\u2019s agent are required to attend, the seller may not have to<\/a> if the listing agent<\/a> prepared the deed and transfer documents for the seller\u2019s signature ahead of time. It can also be arranged for a seller to sign remotely<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe seller doesn\u2019t need to be there,\u201d says Tracy van Ravensway<\/a>, a top-performing real estate agent in Phoenix with 22 years of experience. In Arizona, for example, a title company or notary would have the seller sign closing documents 1-2 days prior to closing. Final documents can be signed remotely and overnighted after being notarized.<\/p>\n

A title company representative or loan officer may officiate the closing<\/a>. Real estate attorneys may accompany the buyer and\/or the seller \u2013 and in some states<\/a>, are required to attend closing \u2013 but, as van Ravensway emphasizes, only the seller or someone granted power of attorney can sign closing documents.<\/p>\n

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What do sellers need to bring to closing?<\/h2>\n

Closing signifies the transfer of ownership of real property. Once the paperwork has been signed, the seller no longer owns the house. Therefore, all accouterments that go with the house need to be surrendered to the buyer.<\/p>\n

Sellers should think like Boy Scouts and always be prepared by bringing everything necessary to closing.<\/p>\n

What to bring to closing:<\/p>\n

1. Keys, codes, and garage door openers to the house<\/h3>\n

Unless there\u2019s an occupancy agreement<\/a> in the contract allowing the seller to move out after closing, the seller should bring all keys (front door, back door, garage, storage shed, etc.), passcodes for gates and garage doors, remotes for smart devices controlling house systems, and access information for thermostats, appliances, doorbells, and smart locks.<\/p>\n

2. Cashier\u2019s checks for closing costs and repair credits<\/h3>\n

The seller doesn\u2019t have a lot of expenses at closing but will have to pay<\/a> the real estate agent\u2019s commission, transfer tax, and possibly credits<\/a> for repairs, closing costs, or other agreed-upon items. A personal check is generally not accepted for these fees.<\/p>\n

3. Personal checkbook<\/h3>\n

In case of any unexpected incidentals or incorrectly calculated costs, it\u2019s easier to write a personal check to make up the difference than to have to get another cashier\u2019s check. \u201cI always advise my clients to bring a checkbook in case there are incidentals that need to be covered,\u201d says Marine Yoo<\/a>, a top-performing agent in Madison, Wisconsin, who works with over 81% more single-family homes than the average agent in his market. \u201cMaybe there was a meter that was read incorrectly, so it\u2019s just a small amount that needs to be adjusted.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Time, date, and location of the closing<\/h3>\n

Use that Boy Scout motto of being prepared by plugging the appointment information into your phone or scribbling down a reminder note. Set an alarm. Confirm the date with your agent. Do what works for you to ensure you show up on time at the right place.<\/p>\n

5. Government-issued identification<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll need a photo ID issued by the government<\/a> to prove your identity. A driver\u2019s license, passport, military ID, or state ID card are all acceptable forms of identification. To be safe, it\u2019s also wise to bring a second form of identification, such as a social security card<\/a> or credit card. Van Ravensway says your identification may be the only thing the seller absolutely needs to bring \u2013 at least in Arizona. \u201cAll the other things are usually left in the house or collected by the agent. It\u2019s done out of title, off to the side.\u201d<\/p>\n

6. Your writing hand (and maybe your lucky pen)<\/h3>\n

This is a little tongue-in-cheek, but you will have plenty to sign. \u201cJust come with your writing hand because you\u2019ll be signing a few documents,\u201d Yoo says.<\/p>\n

7. Proof of repairs<\/h3>\n

If the seller agreed to make specific repairs as part of the sale, it\u2019s important to document that the work was done.<\/p>\n

8 Final utility bills<\/h3>\n

Depending on the agreement made regarding whose responsibility it is to pay the final utility bills, the seller may need to bring them to closing.<\/p>\n

9. Anything else your agent asks you to bring<\/h3>\n

There could be additional documents your agent will want to hand over, such as proof of home warranty or your last property tax statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The seller\u2019s job at closing is far less involved than the buyer\u2019s, but it’s important to be prepared. Check this list to know what to expect and what to bring.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":215,"featured_media":36675,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[322,341],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-logistics","category-closing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to Bring at Closing as a Seller<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The seller\u2019s job at closing is far less involved than the buyer\u2019s, but it's important to be prepared. 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