A signed contract and brass house key on a table at a real estate closing

Closing Checklist · Florida & Palm Beach County

Your Closing Day Checklist

Q: What is the final walkthrough and when does it happen?

The final walkthrough is your last chance to confirm the home is in the condition you agreed to buy. It typically happens within a few days of closing, often the day before. You check that repairs were done, the home is empty of the seller’s belongings, and the systems work before you sign.

Q: Do I pay with a cashier’s check or a wire transfer?

Either can work, depending on what your closing agent and title company prefer. A cashier’s check is made out exactly as instructed and handed over at closing. A wire transfers funds directly. Whichever you use, confirm the exact amount and the correct recipient with your closing agent by phone first.

Q: Do I need homeowners insurance before I close?

Yes. Your lender requires an active homeowners insurance policy before closing, and you will need to provide proof of it. If your home is in a flood zone, flood insurance may also be required. It is best to bind your policy as soon as your closing date is firm.

Q: What is the homestead exemption and when do I apply?

The Florida homestead exemption lowers the assessed value of your primary residence for property tax purposes. After closing on a home you will live in, you apply with the Palm Beach County property appraiser. The deadline rules can be specific, so it is worth applying promptly after you move in.

Q: What happens at the actual closing appointment?

You review and sign the final documents, including the deed, mortgage, and disclosure forms. The closing agent confirms your funds and the title company records the deed to make ownership official. Once everything is recorded, you get the keys and take possession. Your agent, closing agent, and often your lender attend to guide you through it.

Q: Can Rhonda help me through closing day?

Absolutely. Rhonda can walk you through each step of closing, from reviewing the Closing Disclosure to coordinating the walkthrough, verifying repairs, and confirming your funds and insurance are in place. She is an experienced Palm Beach County REALTOR who has guided many buyers and sellers through this exact process, and she will be with you from the first conversation through the keys.

Closing day is the payoff of the whole process, and it goes smoothly when you know exactly what to expect. This checklist walks buyers and sellers through the final walkthrough, your Closing Disclosure, funds, title and insurance, the keys, and the tasks that follow. I can walk you through every step. Call me at (561) 236-9772 or email rtownsendrealestate@gmail.com.

Start Here

The Last Mile, Step by Step

Whether you are buying or selling, closing day is the moment a contract becomes a new home or a sale you can finally celebrate. It helps to know what is happening, what to bring, and what to do afterward so nothing surprises you at the table. I am Rhonda Townsend, a REALTOR with 1st Real Estate Solution Inc., and I have guided many buyers and sellers through closings across Wellington, West Palm Beach, Lake Clarke Shores, and the surrounding Palm Beach County communities. This checklist covers the final walkthrough, verifying repairs, reviewing the Closing Disclosure, funding, title and escrow, insurance, utilities and HOA transfers, the deed, the keys, and everything that comes after. For a detailed look at the form itself, my guide to understanding the Closing Disclosure reads each of its five pages with you.

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Download the Closing Checklist (PDF)

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The Checklist

Nine Steps From Contract to Keys

Step 01

The Final Walkthrough

Your last chance to confirm the home is in the condition you agreed to.

Walk the entire home within a few days of closing, ideally the day before
Turn on the faucets, flush the toilets, and test the lights and outlets
Confirm all agreed repairs were completed and any appliances are present
Check that the home is empty of the seller’s belongings and trash
Verify the mailbox, garage, and outdoor areas are in expected condition
Take photos and notes of anything that looks off, and raise it right away

Step 02

Verifying Repairs

If your contract required repairs, confirm they were done correctly before you sign.

Review the list of agreed repairs from your inspection and addenda
Confirm each repair was completed and that workmanship looks correct
Request receipts or warranties for any replaced systems or appliances
Re-test repaired items: water heaters, air conditioning, plumbing, and fixtures
If a repair was missed, bring it to your agent and the seller’s attention immediately
Keep copies of all repair documentation with your closing papers

Step 03

Review the Closing Disclosure

Read the final numbers carefully; this is where surprises get caught.

Compare the Closing Disclosure to the Loan Estimate line by line
Confirm your loan amount, interest rate, and monthly payment are what you expected
Review all fees: lender, title, recording, taxes, and any prepaid items
Verify your cash to close matches what you prepared to bring
For sellers, confirm your net proceeds and any credits or deductions
Ask about anything you do not understand before the closing appointment

Step 04

Funds: Cashier’s Check or Wire

Closing money has to be ready and correctly directed.

Get the final cash to close figure from your closing agent
Arrange a cashier’s check or a wire transfer made out exactly as instructed
Confirm the wire instructions with your closing agent over the phone before sending
Never follow last-minute wire instructions by email alone; verify first
For sellers, confirm where your closing proceeds will be sent and how they will arrive
Keep your receipt and record the date and amount of your transfer

Step 05

Title and Escrow Steps

The title company makes sure ownership transfers cleanly to you.

Confirm the title search is complete and any issues were resolved
Review the title insurance commitment and the policy you will receive
Understand what the owner’s title policy covers and why it matters
Verify the escrow is properly set up to hold your deposit and funds
Confirm the deed and all transfer documents are prepared correctly
Ask about any liens, easements, or restrictions that showed up in the search

Step 06

Homeowners Insurance in Place

Your lender requires coverage before you can close.

Have a homeowners insurance policy bound and ready before closing day
Provide proof of insurance to your lender and closing agent
Review your coverage: dwelling, personal property, liability, and named perils
Check whether flood insurance is required based on your home’s zone
For waterfront or canal homes, ask about dock, seawall, and flood coverage
Keep your agent’s contact and your policy number with your closing papers

Step 07

Utilities and HOA Transfers

Make sure services are on at your new home and accounts move cleanly.

Schedule electricity, water, gas, internet, and trash to start on or before closing
Confirm the seller’s accounts end so you are not billed for their usage
Arrange final meter readings with the utility companies
If the property is in an HOA or condo association, confirm the transfer of accounts
Pay any pro-rated HOA dues as shown on your closing statement
Save the HOA or property manager contact for your records

Step 08

Deed Recording and Getting the Keys

The moment ownership is official and the keys are yours.

Sign all closing documents, including the deed, mortgage, and disclosure forms
Confirm the deed will be recorded in Palm Beach County to make ownership official
Receive a copy of your recorded deed once recording is complete
Collect the keys, garage remotes, and any access codes from the closing table
Ask about any remaining seller items or final walkthrough details
Plan to change the locks as soon as you take possession

Step 09

Changing Locks and Post-Closing Tasks

A few security and paperwork steps make the house officially yours.

Change the locks and reset garage, gate, and alarm codes on day one
Locate the water shutoff, gas valve, and electrical panel
Register for the Florida homestead exemption with the Palm Beach County property appraiser if this is your primary residence
Forward your mail and update your address with banks, insurance, and employers
Organize your closing documents in a safe, easy-to-find place
Note any dates that matter: tax deadlines, HOA payments, and your first mortgage payment

Practical Tips

Close With Confidence

Closing can feel like a lot of moving parts at once. That is exactly why it helps to have an experienced agent beside you. I will help you review the numbers, coordinate the walkthrough, confirm your funds and insurance, and understand every document before you sign, whether you are buying or selling.

Bring a government-issued photo ID to the closing appointment; you will need it to sign.

Get your final cash to close amount in writing the day before, and confirm wire instructions by phone.

Do not move anything into the new home until the deed is recorded and you have the keys.

Keep your own copy of every document you sign, and scan a backup to the cloud.

Verify your insurance is active before closing, not just quoted; a gap can delay the whole appointment.

Ask questions during closing. Your agent, closing agent, and lender are there to help you understand.

Related Resources

Finish the Whole Journey

Moving Checklist

A step-by-step moving checklist from eight weeks out to settling into your new home.

Closing Costs Guide

What buyers should budget for in Palm Beach County, from lender fees to title insurance.

Selling Guide

A complete guide to selling your home in Palm Beach County with confidence.

First-Time Buyer Checklist

From credit and savings to closing day, a plain-language roadmap for first-time buyers.

Fair Housing Statement

Rhonda Townsend and 1st Real Estate Solution Inc. are committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local fair housing laws. We do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or any other protected class. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, the Florida Fair Housing Act, and Palm Beach County's fair housing ordinances. We pledge to provide equal professional service to all.

Information provided on this site is obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Buyers and sellers should consult with a licensed real estate professional before making decisions based on this information.

FAQ

Closing Day Checklist FAQ

Answers to the questions buyers and sellers ask as closing day approaches.

What is the final walkthrough and when does it happen?

Do I pay with a cashier’s check or a wire transfer?

Do I need homeowners insurance before I close?

What is the homestead exemption and when do I apply?

What happens at the actual closing appointment?

Can Rhonda help me through closing day?

Ready When You Are

Let Me Walk You Through Closing

Whether you are buying or selling in Palm Beach County, I will be with you from your first question through the day you get the keys. A low-pressure conversation is the easiest place to start.

Schedule a Call Call (561) 236-9772

Or email rtownsendrealestate@gmail.com and we will take it from there.

Questions About Closing Day?

Tell me whether you are buying or selling, and I'll help you prepare for a smooth closing.