Closing Day 101: What Happens and What to Bring

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You’ve toured homes, made the offer, survived the inspection, and now… it’s finally here—closing day! 🎉

But what exactly happens on closing day, and what should you bring with you to make sure everything goes smoothly? We’re breaking it down so you feel totally prepared and confident heading into this exciting milestone.

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🗓️ What Is Closing Day?

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Closing day is when everything officially becomes yours. You’ll sign the final documents, funds will be transferred, and the keys to your new home will be handed over. In Oregon and Washington, this process typically happens in two parts:

1. Signing Day: You’ll meet with a signing agent (often at the title company) to sign all the legal paperwork.

2. Recording Day: Once everything is signed and the funds are received, the transaction is recorded with the county. That’s when the home is officially yours and you can celebrate with a key handoff!

🎉 Pro tip: Sometimes signing and recording happen on the same day, but they can also be a day or two apart—your agent will keep you in the loop!

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👜 What to Bring to Your Closing Appointment

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Here’s your quick packing list:

✅ Valid photo ID – A driver’s license or passport is perfect.
✅ Certified funds – If you're bringing money to closing (your down payment, closing costs, etc.), this usually needs to be in the form of a wire transfer or cashier’s check. Your escrow team will give you exact instructions ahead of time.
✅ Any additional documents your lender or title company requests – Sometimes last-minute paperwork pops up—your agent will help you stay ahead of it.
✅ Your questions – Don’t be afraid to ask anything during the signing process. We’re here to make sure you understand every document you’re signing.

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💬 What Actually Happens During the Signing?

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You’ll go through a stack of documents—loan disclosures, the deed, closing statements, and more. A signing agent will guide you through each one, explaining what you’re signing and where to sign (yes, there’s a lot of signing!). The appointment usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Once that’s complete and everything is reviewed, your lender will send the funds, the title company will record the sale with the county, and then…

🎉 You get the keys to your new home!

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📍Local Tip from the Atlas North Team

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Closings here in the Portland metro area are usually super smooth, especially when you have a local team (like ours!) keeping the communication clear between your lender, escrow officer, and agent. We’ve done this hundreds of times, and we’re always here to answer questions, big or small.

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Want to stay in the loop on market trends in your area—before or after you close?

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👉 Register here for a free, personalized market report. Whether you’re buying now or just planning ahead, we’ll make sure you have the local info you need to make smart, confident decisions.

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Welcome home—we’re so glad to be on this journey with you.

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