Preparing for Your Closing: A Complete Guide for Buyers and Sellers

Why Preparation for Closing Day Matters

Everyone wants the closing day to be as smooth and stress-free as possible, and the good news is that the real estate professionals involved in your transaction are all working toward that goal. Your title and closing company, real estate agents, and lenders bring expertise and experience to the table. They're focused on ensuring your closing day goes well, handling the complex behind-the-scenes work that makes the transaction possible.

That said, buyers and sellers also have a part to play. While the professionals manage the technical and legal aspects of your transaction, your role centers on preparation. Closing day is an important milestone in your life, and showing up prepared makes all the difference in how smoothly the experience unfolds.

So why does preparation matter? For one, it protects your timeline. Real estate transactions operate on carefully coordinated schedules, and preparation ensures nothing disrupts the closing date you've been working toward. It also gives you confidence and clarity about what's happening with your transaction, which means you're making informed decisions rather than reacting to unexpected information at the last minute. Perhaps most important, preparation keeps closing day free of surprises so you can focus on the moment itself rather than scrambling to resolve issues that could have been addressed weeks earlier.

The good news is that preparation doesn't require extraordinary effort or a lengthy to-do list. The steps outlined in this guide are straightforward and manageable, designed to fit naturally into the weeks leading up to your closing without adding stress to an already busy time.

How Everyone Can Prepare for Closing Day

Whether you’re buying or selling, everyone at the closing table has specific ways they can prepare. These fundamentals form the foundation of a smooth closing experience. 

Documents and Identification

You'll need a valid government-issued ID that hasn't expired, such as a driver's license or passport. Some lenders require two forms of identification. If that's the case for your transaction, your lender will let you know. The second form doesn't have to be another photo ID; a work badge, debit card, or concealed carry permit all work.

You'll also receive your settlement statement, also known as the ALTA, before closing day. Make sure to review it carefully when it arrives. This document outlines all the costs, credits, and financial details of your transaction. If something doesn't look right or you have questions about the numbers, ask before you arrive at the closing table. 

Get the Right People to the Closing Table

Confirm with the title company early who needs to sign on your transaction. If you're married, your spouse must be present at closing unless you have a power of attorney in place. If someone can't attend, inform the title company as soon as you know (preferably not the day before closing). Remote closing or power of attorney are both viable options, but they require advance planning. If your transaction involves financing, your lender will need to approve either arrangement, which takes time.

Special considerations apply if you're buying or selling through an LLC, trust, or estate. Notify the title company early in the process. Documents such as corporate resolutions, trust agreements, or estate paperwork need advance review from the title company to ensure everything is in order. Waiting until closing day to mention you're purchasing through an entity means all the documents have to be redone, which can delay your closing and create unnecessary complications.

Verify Closing Day Logistics

Bluegrass Land Title has multiple locations across Kentucky, so make sure to verify your closing location before the day arrives. It’s always a good idea to verify the exact address with your agent to avoid showing up at the wrong office. 

Plan your timing carefully. If you're doing a final walkthrough before closing, factor in travel time between the property and the closing location, along with buffer time in case the walkthrough takes longer than expected or reveals issues that need discussion. Closings at Bluegrass Land Title are scheduled on the hour, and arriving late pushes into the next scheduled closing, creating delays for everyone involved. 

Respond to Requests for Communication

Throughout the closing process, respond promptly when the title company or your agent reaches out. Whether it's a request for documents, information about signers, or clarification on contract details, quick responses keep the process moving forward. Delays in communication can push back your closing date, affecting not just you but everyone else involved in the transaction.

How Buyers Can Prepare for Closing Day

As a buyer, your preparation focuses on ensuring your funds are ready, completing any pre-closing tasks, and arriving with everything you need. Taking care of these items in advance helps your closing proceed on schedule.

Financial Preparation

One of your most important tasks as a buyer is arranging your funds for closing. Start by communicating with your financial institution at least one week before your closing date to determine whether you should wire funds or obtain certified funds in the form of a cashier's check. Understanding your options early gives you time to follow the necessary procedures without rushing.

If you're wiring funds, make sure you understand your bank's specific procedures and timing requirements. Some institutions require in-person visits to initiate wires, while others have multi-day processing times that could affect your closing if you wait too long. Bluegrass Land Title must receive your wired funds before closing begins, not during the closing itself. Attempting to send a wire from the closing table rarely works due to technology limitations or bank processes that can't accommodate real-time transfers.

All wires should use CertifID for verification. Never rely solely on wiring instructions sent via email. Always call your title company directly to confirm the instructions before sending funds. This extra step helps protect your transaction from wire fraud attempts.

If you're bringing certified funds instead, obtain a cashier's check from your bank. Personal checks cannot be accepted for closing. 

Complete Pre-Closing Tasks

Your lender will require you to have a homeowner’s insurance policy in place before you are able to close, so make sure to provide proof of coverage to your lender well in advance of closing day. Last-minute insurance issues can delay your closing, so don't leave this until the final days.

If your lender uses a hybrid closing process where some documents are signed electronically, complete those signatures before you arrive. This eliminates wait time at the table and keeps your closing moving efficiently.

Make plans to schedule your final walkthrough with enough buffer time before closing. You want to allow space to address any issues that come up during the walkthrough. If the seller hasn't fully vacated or if something has changed since your last visit to the property, you'll need time to work through those concerns with your agent before heading to the closing table.

Consider Title Insurance

You have 30 days after closing to purchase an owner's title insurance policy, but purchasing at closing offers financial advantages. When you buy your owner's policy at the same time your lender's policy is issued, you qualify for a simultaneous issue rate, which costs less than purchasing the policy later. If you do decide to purchase title insurance at closing, you can pay with a personal check or credit card.

If you choose not to purchase title insurance at closing, you'll sign a form acknowledging that decision.

Bring Needed Items to Closing

Bring your valid, unexpired, government-issued ID—and a second form if your lender requires it. You'll also need either your certified funds or confirmation that your wire was sent and received by Bluegrass Land Title. If the title company has requested any additional documents specific to your transaction, bring those as well. Having everything ready when you walk in ensures there are no delays once the closing process begins.

How Sellers Can Prepare for Closing Day

As a seller, your preparation centers on the property handoff, receiving your proceeds, and ensuring any outstanding items are addressed. These steps help you transition smoothly out of the property and complete your transaction without delays.

Prepare for Property Handoff

Bring all keys, garage door openers, gate codes, and alarm codes to closing. This makes the transition seamless for the buyer and ensures nothing gets overlooked in the final moments of the transaction.

Unless you've negotiated a post-occupancy agreement with the buyer, vacate the property before closing day. Buyers typically conduct their final walkthrough right before closing, and being in the home during that walkthrough can create tension or reveal issues that delay or derail the transaction. Plan to be fully moved out so the buyer can complete their walkthrough and arrive at closing confident that the property is ready for them.

Plan for Receiving Your Proceeds

Decide in advance how you want to receive your proceeds—either by check or wire transfer. If you're requesting a wire, you’ll need to connect with your title representative to ensure we have the proper wiring information. This will help us ensure that you’ll receive funds in the most timely manner. 

Most closings result in the same-day dispersal of funds, but timing matters. If your closing is scheduled for late afternoon, particularly after 3 PM, your wire may not go out until the next business day due to federal wire cutoff times. Checks, on the other hand, are distributed immediately at closing, so if you need funds in hand that day and your closing is late, a check may be the better option.

Mortgage and Title Considerations

The title company will obtain your mortgage payoff information from your lender. In most cases, this happens behind the scenes without any action required from you. In rare instances, particularly with slower-responding lenders, the title company may reach out for your help in getting the payoff details. If you receive that request, respond quickly. Delays in obtaining payoff information can push back your closing date.

If your property includes a manufactured home with a separate title, bring that title to closing. The title company needs it to complete the transaction and transfer ownership properly.

Preparing for a Stress-Free Closing Day

The difference between a stressful closing and a smooth one often comes down to a few key practices. When buyers and sellers understand what makes closings work well, they can take simple steps that prevent complications and create confidence. These principles apply regardless of whether you're buying your first home or selling your fifth.

Start your preparation early. Don't wait until the week before closing to think about funds, documents, or logistics. As soon as your closing date is set, begin conversations with your bank about wire transfers, gather the documents you'll need, and confirm details like who needs to sign and where the closing will take place. The earlier you handle these items, the less likely you are to encounter last-minute complications that create stress or delay your closing.

Clear communication throughout the process prevents the majority of problems. When the title company or your agent reaches out with a request or question, respond quickly. When you have questions of your own, ask them rather than waiting until closing day. Many closing delays stem from information that arrives too late or not at all. Proactive communication keeps everyone aligned and the transaction moving forward on schedule.

Finally, remember that closing works best as a partnership. At Bluegrass Land Title, we view closing as a collaborative process, not just a transaction milestone. Our team works to identify potential issues early, communicate clearly throughout the process, and ensure you arrive at the closing table feeling confident and informed. Your closing should feel seamless, and with the right preparation and partnership, it will.