Home / Buy / Closing for Buyers
Closing day, finished.
Final walkthrough, wire transfer, signing, and the key handoff. A clean Texas buyer closing from final-approval to door key.
What needs to happen before closing?
Use the signed contract, lender requirements and title-company instructions to build the schedule. There is no single financing deadline or fixed sequence that fits every Houston purchase.
- Finish the lender’s reviewProvide requested documents and confirm remaining approval conditions. Appraisal timing is set with the lender; it need not wait until the option period ends. If value or underwriting is a problem, review the actual financing addendum and deadlines before assuming a termination right.
- Review title and property documentsTrack the title commitment, survey, required notices and any objections with the title company and your attorney. Resolve questions within the contract’s deadlines.
- Review the final loan figuresFor covered mortgage transactions, the lender must provide the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before consummation. Compare it with your Loan Estimate and ask about changes. Request other closing documents in advance.
- Verify condition and possessionUse the checklist below to review agreed repairs, included items, new damage and the contractual handoff. A temporary lease can change when possession is delivered.
- Confirm signing, funding and keysAsk title and the lender what remains before funding and when possession will be available. Signing papers alone is not a promise that you can move in immediately.
Sources: CFPB closing guide and TREC resale contract. General information, checked October 1, 2026; your signed documents control.
What should I budget beyond the down payment?
Use your lender’s Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, plus the title company’s figures. The categories below identify questions to ask; they are not a quote or a percentage estimate.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Category | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Loan costs | Origination charges, points, appraisal, credit and other lender items. Separate optional rate pricing from required charges. |
| Title and settlement | Title policies, settlement services, recording, survey and who pays each item under the contract. |
| Prepaids and escrows | Insurance, taxes, prepaid interest and the initial escrow deposit. These are distinct from a lender’s fee. |
| Property-specific items | HOA or condo charges, inspections, agreed repairs, coverage needs and services required for the property. |
| Credits and deposits | Earnest money already paid, any option-fee credit and permitted seller/lender credits. Avoid counting them twice. |
Keep moving costs and a repair reserve separate from cash to close. Ask your lender or title company to explain any line you do not recognize before signing.
Before you close
What should I check at the final walkthrough?
Compare the home with your contract, written repair agreements and the condition you previously observed. Check included items and new damage, then confirm the possession and key-handoff plan. Schedule enough time to report a concern and get a response before closing.
A walkthrough does not replace a professional inspection. For an unresolved repair, ask whether a qualified specialist should reinspect. A new concern does not automatically create a cancellation right. Bring it to Eddie promptly and ask your attorney about your contract options.
Eddie Weir · REMAX Signature
Final-walkthrough checklist
Property: Date / time:
Bring the contract, repair amendments, inspection report and agreed-item list. This walkthrough is a condition check, not a new professional inspection.
- Agreed repairs: compare the completed work with the written amendment; collect receipts, scope and transferable warranty paperwork. Arrange specialist reinspection when needed.
- Condition: look for new damage, water intrusion, leaks or changes since the prior visit. Photograph concerns and record the room/location.
- Included items: verify appliances, fixtures and accessories against the contract and any exclusions or amendments.
- Systems: where safe and utilities are on, check normal operation of included appliances, faucets, toilets, HVAC controls, lights and garage controls. Do not perform hazardous testing.
- Possession: compare occupancy, belongings and debris with the contract and any temporary lease. Do not assume vacant possession at signing.
- Access: confirm arrangements for keys, mailbox keys, remotes, gates, alarms and transfer of smart-home controls.
- Open issues: tell Eddie promptly. Agree on next steps before closing; do not rely on an oral promise or assume an automatic right to cancel.
- Handoff: confirm funding, the contractual possession date and any later check after a seller’s temporary lease ends.
Issue / photo reference / person responsible / agreed next step:
The signed contract controls. Sources: TREC resale contract 20-19, paragraphs 2, 7 and 10; general planning checklist, checked October 1, 2026. Ask your attorney about legal rights or disputes.
Eddie Weir, REALTOR® · TREC #560899 · REMAX Signature, Broker #9003718
eddieweir.com · eddie@eddieweir.com · 346-321-4422 · Equal Housing Opportunity
Information About Brokerage Services · Consumer Protection Notice
Use your browser’s Print command to print or save just this checklist. Keep photos and repair documents with it.
Source: TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale), 20-19, effective July 1, 2026; paragraphs 2, 7 and 10. Checked October 1, 2026. For loan documents, use the CFPB closing guide.
Common closing questions
Does every change restart the Closing Disclosure waiting period?
No. A new three-business-day wait is required for specified changes: an APR that becomes inaccurate under the rule, a loan-product change, or the addition of a prepayment penalty. Other changes can still require a corrected disclosure. Ask your lender to identify the rule that applies, and report errors promptly. CFPB TRID guidance.
What if the seller is still living there?
Coordinate access and compare the condition with the agreed possession terms. If a seller’s temporary lease permits post-closing occupancy, plan the later handoff too. Do not assume the seller must leave before signing or that an occupancy problem can be solved with an oral promise.
How should I verify a wire?
Call the title company at an independently established number before sending money. Confirm the account and recipient with that trusted contact; do not trust changed instructions or phone numbers in an unexpected email or text. If money may have gone to a fraudulent account, contact your bank immediately. CFPB wire-fraud guidance.
Can I close while I am out of state?
Ask the lender and title company early. Remote signing, a mobile notary or an approved representative depends on the transaction and location. Confirm the method, identification, delivery requirements, costs and timing before making travel plans.
For a dispute, missed deadline or uncertain legal right, ask your attorney about your situation.
Return to the Houston buyer guideHouston Buyer Closing · Final Steps Consult
Ready to close on your Houston home?
Final walkthrough, loan documents and the possession plan. We can use a 30-minute call to work through the next step for your Houston closing.
