Everyone wants a quick and smooth real estate closing, especially the buyer. If you are a home buyer, you can take steps to make sure the closing goes as easily as possible.
If you are getting a loan, the closing takes time, says Saria Finkelstein. At the time, she was a buyer specialist with The Laurie Finkelstein Reader Team of Keller Williams Partners in Plantation, Fla. “It’s all about who you work with these days. Everyone should be on the same goal to get to that closing.”
Here are some actions a home buyer can take to get to the closing much quicker and easier.
Tips for a smooth real estate closing
1. Get a preapproval letter
One of the first steps a home buyer should take is getting a preapproval letter from their lender. This lets all the parties know how much the lender is willing to give to the home buyer.
This helps a lot in the buying process, especially when you look for a home within your budget.
2. Find the right realtor
When you look for a realtor, be sure to bring a list of questions to ask them. Also, ask friends and family who have recently used a realtor. If they had a positive experience, you might want to use them.
You should also look up their credentials, their affiliations, and the website. If you aren’t working with a reputable realtor, it could go the wrong way for you, says Finkelstein. Go on Yelp and read their reviews. Buyers need to inform themselves.
3. Find the right lender
Read customer reviews of lenders to make sure they’re a good fit.
4. Be honest with your realtor and lender
Finkelstein has experienced situations where buyers pay companies to remove something from their credit history. They do this so they can get preapproved for a loan. “It always comes up later in underwriting,” she says. This can end up ruining the entire process.
Also, disclose any other financial problem areas ahead of time, so you might resolve them quickly.
5. Get all paperwork to the lender quickly
Your lender will want a lot of information. For example, it will want recent paystubs, W-2 statements and bank statements. Depending on your income, it may ask for your federal tax returns from the last two years, too. Alimony and child support payment information, and much more, may also be on the list. Get it to them quickly to make sure they have everything they need.
6. Make sure the title is clear for a smooth real estate closing
Your real estate attorney or title company will order a title report to make sure everything is good before closing. Stay in touch with them to confirm the property has no liens that could delay or cancel your closing.
7. Don’t change jobs or change your credit
Finkelstein once went through all the things a buyer should not do during the loan process with her friend. However, he still did a few of those things. “I told him I’d sell him a house in two years, because he hadn’t listened,” she says.
Some of those things include quitting your job and financing new furniture or a new car. Moving your money around in your accounts is another. Don’t do anything that will send red flags on your credit. Instead, always wait until after the closing to go buy anything new for the house.
8. Go to the inspection
During an inspection, you get to see your future home with an expert. The inspector can tell you all the good and bad things about the building. This can give you a better idea of what improvements to negotiate with the seller.
If you and the seller can agree on repairs or on deductions from the purchase price, the closing can keep on track.
9. Buy homeowner’s insurance
Lenders will require this. Your lender needs the policy information by the closing, and you usually have to pay for it by then, too.
10. Don’t forget your photo ID and closing funds
The day of closing can be exciting, so don’t forget your cash to close. You usually pay it by cashier’s check or wire transfer. And don’t forget to bring your driver’s license. Your lender also sends the loan money to the settlement agent, but that can cause delays if it doesn’t come in time. Ask your lender when it will send the funds.
Check your home buying eligibility. Start here (Nov 8th, 2026)
