Tips about choosing a closing date

Tips about choosing a closing date 

Besides negotiating the price, you should choose your closing date carefully.  This is one way to ensure that your deal will close smoothly.

Here are a few things to remember:

Whenever possible avoid having a closing date on a Friday at the end of a month. Typically this is the busiest day in most real estate law offices, especially in the summer and usually results in many deals not being able to close until later in the day (5 or 6 pm).

A great day for a closing is Wednesday.  It is much easier to manage any delays or extensions if something arises.

Sellers need to plan to be out of their homes by 3 pm on the closing day. Under most real estate contracts, sellers must turn over possession as soon as the deal is registered electronically. In normal circumstances, when the closing is not at the end of a month on a Friday, the deal will likely be registered by 2 - 3 pm. and at that time, vacant possession is to be given to the buyer.  

If you are buying and selling a home in the same time period, a good idea is to close your purchase 2 days early if possible and obtain bridge financing to assist you. You will have less pressure and have a few days to move in and tie up any loose ends. 

Sellers must turn the house over in broom swept condition, which means no garbage left behind. Buyers should make sure to schedule a final visit 2 days before the closing date to ensure that everything is as it should be.  This is also a good time to check the appliances (if included in the sale) and make sure they are working.

Buyers should not plan to move in until late in the day or the day after closing.  You do not want to have to pay extra to your movers if the closing does not happen until late in the day or the deal has to be extended.

If you are not moving in on the day of closing, buyers must check the condition of the home on that day to make sure that nothing has been broken or damaged since the date of your sale. The seller typically only warrants that everything will be working order on the closing date, not afterwards, so find out right away if you need to make a claim about anything after closing.

Keeping these tips about choosing a closing date in mind may save you stress and frustration when selling or purchasing a home.


As always, we will be there for you to help make this and other decisions that are in your best interest.

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Direct: 519-495-1541
email: rthyssen@rogers.com
www.thyssengroup.com