Closing the deal

← The Arizona Buyer's Guide

You've had your offer accepted, cleared inspections, and the appraisal is in. The last stretch — closing — is mostly a coordinated paperwork-and-money process. It runs smoothly when everyone hits their deadlines, and knowing the moving parts keeps the final weeks from feeling like a black box.

Title and escrow — the Arizona way

Arizona is an escrow state, and most closings here are handled by a title company rather than a real-estate attorney. The title company acts as the neutral third party: it holds the earnest money and your funds in escrow, researches the property's title history, issues title insurance, prepares the closing documents, and — at the end — records the sale with the county. You'll work with an escrow officer who quarterbacks the closing.

Two pieces of title work matter to you:

• The title search confirms the seller can actually convey clear ownership and surfaces any liens, easements, or claims against the property.
• Title insurance protects your ownership (and your lender's) against defects that predate your purchase — a forged signature in the chain of title, an unknown heir, an unpaid old lien. A lender's policy is required when you finance; an owner's policy protects you and is well worth it.

What closing costs include

Closing costs are the fees to finalize the transaction, separate from your down payment. For buyers in Arizona they commonly include:

• Lender fees — loan origination, underwriting, and any discount points.
• Appraisal and credit-report fees (some paid earlier in the process).
• Title and escrow fees — the title search, lender's title policy, and the escrow company's charge, often split with the seller by local custom.
• Recording fees paid to the county to record the deed and mortgage.
• Prepaids and reserves — prepaid interest, the first year of homeowner's insurance, and an escrow/impound account for future property taxes and insurance.
• HOA transfer or setup fees, if the home is in an association.

A few days before closing you'll receive a Closing Disclosure (on most financed purchases) itemizing every figure. Read it against your original Loan Estimate and flag anything that looks off — that's exactly what the review window is for.

The final walkthrough

Shortly before closing — usually the day before or the morning of — we do a final walkthrough of the home. This isn't a second inspection; it's a confirmation that the property is in the condition you agreed to: any repairs the seller committed to are done, agreed-upon items and appliances are still there, the home is empty (or as contracted), and nothing new has broken. If something's wrong, it's far easier to resolve before the money changes hands than after.

Signing, funding, and recording

Closing itself is a sequence:

1. You sign the closing documents at the title company (or with a mobile notary). If you're financing, this is the stack that includes your note and deed of trust.
2. You bring funds — the balance of your down payment and closing costs, sent by wire or cashier's check. Verify wire instructions by phone with the escrow officer using a known number; wire fraud is real and targets closings.
3. The lender funds — once everything is signed and conditions are met, your lender releases the loan money to escrow.
4. The sale records — the title company records the deed with the county. In Arizona, you generally own the home and get the keys when recording is confirmed, which is often the same day you fund, sometimes the next morning.

Getting the keys

Once recording is confirmed, the home is yours. We coordinate key handoff, garage remotes, gate codes, and any HOA amenities. I'll also make sure you've got the warranties, manuals, and paperwork the seller left, and a reminder to set up utilities and, in some communities, register with the HOA. Then the fun part — moving in.

Common questions