We Were Featured on Redfin: 6 Things That Can Go Wrong at Closing

We were featured on Redfin! Read the full article here: 6 Things That Can Go Wrong at Closing. It is an honest, practical rundown of the surprises that can show up between an accepted offer and the keys in your hand.

I have been through more than a thousand closings over the last fourteen years, and I can tell you this: most closings go fine, and the ones that do not usually trip on the same handful of things. If you are headed toward a closing right now, here is what I watch for, and how I keep my clients out in front of it.

Financing can fall through at the last minute

The loan commitment is one of the most fragile pieces of the whole transaction, and it can be undone in the final days. A job change, a new car loan, a large deposit, or even a credit card opened for new furniture can set everything back while you are days from the table. I remind every buyer to treat the weeks between offer and closing like a freeze: no new debt, no surprise money moving, no big purchases. And I stay in touch with the lender all the way through, so we hear about a problem while there is still time to fix it.

Title and lien issues can surface late

Before you take ownership, the title has to be clear, and sometimes old liens, unpaid taxes, easements, or a surprise claim on the property surface during the search. These issues are almost always resolvable, but they need time and the right paperwork. A good agent makes sure the title work gets reviewed early, not the morning of closing.

The appraisal can come in low

If the home appraises below the agreed price, the lender will only finance the appraised amount, which can leave a gap between what you agreed to pay and what you can borrow. That sounds stressful, and it can be, but it is a situation with real solutions, from renegotiating with the seller to challenging the appraisal to adjusting your down payment. The mistake is making a panicked decision. A calm agent makes sure you weigh your options instead of reacting.

Repair demands can pile up at the end

Inspection repairs and credits are a normal part of the process. The trouble starts when the requests land late, overlap with other steps, or turn into a standoff right before closing. An experienced agent keeps those conversations moving early and keeps the requests fair, so the deal does not stall over a list that should have been settled weeks before.

The final walkthrough can surprise you

The final walkthrough is your last look at the home before you own it, and sometimes things are off: a repair that was promised but not done, an item that should have stayed but did not, a system that worked at inspection and does not now. That is exactly what the walkthrough is for. I go through the home with every buyer and document anything off so it gets handled before we sign, not after.

Closing costs can shift

The closing statement lists every fee, and the final numbers do not always match the estimate from the start. Property taxes, recording fees, or lender charges can move a little. The fix is simple: review the closing disclosure early, ask about anything you do not understand, and never sign a document you have not had time to read.

The common thread is timing

Nothing on this list is unusual, and every one of these issues can be managed. But they are much easier to manage a week out than a day out. That is what a steady, experienced agent does: watch the calendar, keep the paperwork moving, and bring problems into the light early, while there is still room to solve them. You should never walk into closing day wondering what is about to happen. You should walk in knowing the plan.