🎃 The Scariest Things to Happen During a Closing (and How to Avoid Them!)

Closing day — it’s supposed to be the big treat at the end of the long home-buying journey. 🍬 But sometimes, spooky surprises can creep in and turn a smooth settlement into a real estate horror story! 👻

In the spirit of Halloween, our team at ClosePoint USA is sharing some of the scariest things that can happen during a closing… and how to keep them from haunting your transaction.

🕸️ 1. The “Missing Money” Mystery

You’re ready to sign, everyone’s at the table — but the wire didn’t arrive. 😱Sometimes funds get delayed or misrouted, and it can stop everything in its tracks.

Avoid the fright: Always confirm wiring instructions directly with your title company and send wires early in the day. Never trust last-minute email changes — wire fraud is one trick no one wants to fall for!

🧛 2. The Phantom Payoff

You thought all liens were cleared… until a surprise one rises from the grave! 💀Old mortgages, tax liens, or judgments that weren’t properly released can come back to bite.

Avoid the fright: A thorough title search and experienced title team (like ours 👋) can uncover and clear these issues before closing day.

🕷️ 3. The “Vanishing Signature” Spell

Just when you think everyone’s ready to sign — one party goes missing. ✍️✨Maybe they’re out of town, maybe they didn’t realize they needed to be present, or maybe they just ghosted the appointment entirely.

Avoid the fright: Double-check that all signers are available (and their IDs are valid!) well before closing day. Remote online notarization can sometimes save the day if someone can’t be there in person.

🪞 4. The Title Terror: Name Nightmares

What’s in a name? A lot, apparently. From misspellings to mismatched marital statuses, name issues can delay recording and disbursement.

Avoid the fright: Review your closing documents ahead of time and alert your title agent if your name has changed or appears incorrectly.

🏚️ 5. The Haunted Home Handoff

Everything’s signed, but the keys? Nowhere to be found. 🔑👀Sometimes sellers forget, mix up dates, or there’s confusion about possession.

Avoid the fright: Confirm in writing when keys will be transferred and who will hand them over. Nothing’s worse than a locked front door on move-in day!

🧡 Final Thoughts

At ClosePoint USA, we’ve seen a few real estate frights — but with the right preparation (and a little title magic 🪄), every spooky story can have a happy ending.

So this Halloween, don’t let your closing turn into a nightmare. Partner with a title team that keeps the scares out of your settlement!

🎃 Happy Halloween from ClosePoint USA! 🎃