Lake Mary - Central Florida Real Estate

I too attend closing but never get both buyer and seller together. I always have the buyer sign first and then the seller. 

Debbie- Those agents that do not attend closings are missing out on a perfect marketing opportunity. This is the best time to get your video testimonial, your written testimony, referrals and so much more! This is also connect time with the title agents and the other agents involved in the transaction.

I've always attended my closings. 9 out of 10 times the seller signs the docs the morning of or the day before and it's just me, the buyers, and both attorneys.  Personally I find it strange when the buyer and seller are at the closing together except one time it was like a party!

I attend all my closings. In Maryland, both buyers and sellers sit together at the same time. In Pennsylvania they are only together for a brief time. The settlement is a time to celebrate for you and your client. A time to thank the other agent and wish the other party well. Also I like to remind my clients to ask or give information, i.e. which day is garbage pickup or which kid in the neighborhood likes to shovel show.

Debbie,

I attend closings.  Now it is not required I just do it as a service point.  Usually I run into assistants at closings. 

Jeff - Sometimes we are all together, sometimes not...  But, like you... I'm always there.

I've never been to a closing where both agents were not there as well as the lender. I have yet to be at a closing where an attorney attended.

Nestor & Katerina - I couldn't agree with you more...  The closing is the last "impression" that your customer has of their transaction...  I use this time wisely!

Debbie, It is the same way in Tennessee.  I attend all my closings.  I tell the clients I am there for moral support but I am really there yo make sure I can explain any questions I have and to reassure my clients on their deal.  I have heard of Realtors or closing agents telling the buyers how they could have gotten a better rate over there or such-n-such doesn't charge a fee.  These people don't know the program I put my client in and why.  So, I am there to remind my client why they choose the loan program they did and I reassure them they made a good decision.  I don't want my client impression of me to be changed because someone suggests they could have done better elsewhere.  I have never had a loan, rate, or fee questioned when I have been in the closing room and I am not going to risk it by not being there,  

I attend all my closing unless I am selling a bank owned property.  The there is no need, because the bank won't be there.  haha

LaNita - I had a closing yesterday where we were sitting in a separate room... the buyer's are so excited about the house that they begged us to sit with them and we talked and had a great time and got to know them.  Their agent was MIA...

Rich - I'm with you 100% it is a time of celebration! 

I try to attend but it is just not possible sometimes.  My clients are forewarned if I am going to be absent.

Larry - It's not required, but it should be... our job isn't over until the property transfer is complete. 

I have missed only one closing in 6 years and even then someone from my office was there to hold my buyers hand.  In LA, we are all (buyers, sellers, agents and closing attorney) at the table together.  99% of the time, it IS like a party.  The sellers are happy to be moving on and the buyers are happy to be moving in!

Bob - That's great to hear, I was at a closing once when the listing agent called me to ask when the closing was taking place... I said right now!  The seller asked the title agent if she could pay me her agent's real estate fee... 

Debbie, In MD, it is like Lisa said.  Everyone is there.  Both agents, buyer and seller and it usually takes about an hour.  99% are a lot of fun, every once in awhile you get one that is not as festive.  The only time I would not attend a closing is if I was out of town or some sort of emergency, which I cant even remember happening.  I will send Maria, my licensed assistant  and typically I will be on the phone while the attorney goes over the HUD-1 while I am on the phone.  I have issues, what can I say?

Jimmy - I'm glad to hear that you go to closing... I've seen buyers be confused on closing day and not understand the terms, conditions and fees associated with the mortgage. 

We always attend, but those that do not attend are working their real jobs.  They are just playing Realtor.  Some cannot face their buyer because they did not show up at the inspection either, and did not present an amendment to remove the inspection contingency, and neglected to tell their buyer they would not be there. 

Debbie, I attend closings...here in California...as I did when I was active in Lake Mary Florida. I believe the customers want and need our presence for last minute questions. It's also a wonderful opportunity to bond with the customer.

I always attend. Its the commitment you make to take care of a client and provide them full representation all the way up to the end of the transaction. And its not over after that, I still follow up and keep in touch. Still offer to help and ask for referrals. Still email and mail them regularly.

Debbie,In Ohio I'm always at the closing,cuz there is always ?'s be it buyer or seller and even title person,I have some lenders attend closings,which is great,for they catch some mistakes etc..I would never not want to be present good or bad.

                                                 Regards;

                                                        TJ

I always attend closings, even if my seller or buyer is a mail away.  I attend in their place.  You are so right it is the OPPORTUNITY DAY!!  Just another touch,  I take a picture of FIRST TIME BUYERS as they sign the closing documents.  They love that little extra.  CLosing day always makes me feel that I DID my job and DID it WELL!!!   I have my own celebration with my husband, a nice lunch or dinner on Closing Day!!

I try to make all of them, however we are an escrow state and sometimes it comes down to the last minute (literally) with docs getting to Escrow and the buyer having to fly over w/ only an hours notice. Sometimes I just cannot rearrange on such short notice. I'm only there for moral support and will only answer questions as they pertain to the contract. I like to work with lenders who attend closing so if there is a question on the loan documents it can be dealt with promptly.

I always attend closings, although many of my Realtor friends don't.  I also work with a loan officer that also attends all his closings.  This has been a blessing.  Any snags during the process and he picks up the phone and calls and gets the deal done. 

It is absolutely neccessary to attend closings with first time home buyers, especially.  They are usually overwhelmed by the process and need a little hand-holding. 

Diane~ I alwaysplan to attend my closings.  I can't understand why a Realtor would NOTplan to attend their closings and be there for their clients....(unless under extenuating circumstances I may not be able to get there)

    Have been to hundreds of closings throughout the years...Have used a mobile signing escrow company for quite sometime that will meet with sellers and buyers where ever and whenever.....and I still meet up at closing...Sometimes it is necessary, sometimes it is just nice to see the look of satisfaction come over the new owner. A great way to give back to the people that pay our way.....

If the client is in state, we attend, but there are so many situations here it seems when the seller or the buyer is out of state and in those cases the title company express mails the docs to the seller or buyer and they simply get them notarized and sign where they are. It is a rare thing in Arizona when the seller. buyer and both agents are ever in the same room. Even if the seller or buyer is local each party usually signs independent of the other.

I almost always attend the closing with the buyers unless they deem it unnecessary.

If I represent the buyers - absolutely.  If I represent the seller - depends on if there might be "issues."

I have always attended when possible. However, like Colleen mentioned sometime things are crazy at the end and it isn't possible. I was an escrow closer for almost 2 years and during that time in California not once did an agent attend a closing. I thought that very strange. I have seen some wild closings in my day. I have actually witnessed a buyer read every document - took him 2.5 days, it was like he worked in the office!! lol!!!

Debbie, I just wrote a post last week about the closing process here in NC.  While doing so I read the NC RE Commission manual which states that both listing and buyer agents should be present for all closings.  I always attend myself but some agents don't...now I know in NC it's actually required!

In GA our closings are done with Attorney's and I attend al closings. Why in the world would you work so hard for your client and not see them thru to the HAPPY moment. All is done their THANKS from both sides run over and you're the HERO....especially if the home has been on the market awhile, the sellers truly look to you as a great agent more than their listing agent.

Oh and lets not forget that's where the paycheck is, both dollars and the heart.

Hi  Debbie,  As a resort/destination most of our closings take place as mail-aways.  Neither the buyer or seller are there and so the agents rarely show up.

Debbie...

You're correct. We all do it differently. As a rule of thumb we don't attend closings and neither do our Sellers. We arrange for our Sellers to sign before the Buyers. We do this for several reasons...The most important one for us is to keep the Seller and Buyer away from any type of dispute. As we all know when the crap hits the fan it's usually at the closing table. The trick is to keep the crap and the fan away from each other while they're under so much stress :)

TLW...ROAR!

I attend all closings, it used to be that every agent did.  Now many of the closings are on foreclosures and the listing agents rarely attend.  Typically on a non-foreclosure the buyers with their agent will go in and sign all their paperwork and then the sellers and their agent will join the table and sign their portion.  Keys are passed, often little insider tidbits from seller to buyer about the special quirks or features of the home, or who they use for upkeep.  It is almost always a happy event for everyone.  If the bank is local and the closing is not a repo we close at the bank, otherwise if its a repo or a mortgage company is the lender, we close at the title company

I too attend closings,  as a Realtor I believe it is very important for us to attend the closings with our clients.  When we tell our clients that we will be there from beginning to end, that is what we should mean and we should keep our word.  If you can not make it introduce your client to someone from the office who will attend the closing on your behalf.

Sounds like your process is similar or the same as ours here in TX. Almost every agent I know attends closings unless their client closing is done by mail out. In that case usually the only agent present will be the one with a client present.

I think attending closings only makes sense. After all, aren't we the ones looking out for our client's best interest? How can we do that if we don't know what happens at the closing table?

Either I or my assistants attend all closings.  The only time I was unable to attend, major problems arose with the buyers leaving the closing table.  Besides, it is a courtesy to the client .......in the event something goes wrong. 

I wouldn't miss a closing for anything. 

I wouldn't ever miss a closing, except for extreme circumstances where there's no way I could make it.  In that case, I would try to have another agent there.

Debbie, absolutely we attend all closings both for the buyers and sellers. I don't look at it as a closing but a Celebration !  99.9% if all issues are resolved before hand. Even if they are foreclosure's my Buyer Agents attend just for last minute questions and comfort.

We do like ya'll do in Florida, sit together. It affords the buyers to ask the sellers any questions that they may have about the house, every home has quirky things that are nice to be passed along.

We attend our closings. The buyers and sellers close at different times in my area. 

I always go to my signings...here in las vegas, the seller usually sign first-a few weeks into the transaction and then the buyer signs when their closing docs get to the title company. We don't use lawyers here. The closing happens a few days after the buyer signs their loan docs.

I always attend the closings. Michael explains it above...

Debbie: In California we have escrow and title companies. The signings are held at the escrow company and the loan doc's are delievered there in time for the signing.  I am at 99% of my signings/closings. I think it makes the client/s feel more secure and IF there are issues that pop up, you'll be there to hopefully answer questions.

Congrat's on the feature!

Closing is exactly that "CLOSING" of course I am there. This is the goal we have all worked for and I think we owe it to our clients to be present.

Anne Hensel

I wouldn't dream of not attending a closing, after spending time with a client and helping them throught the buying or selling process then not attending would be a slap in their face in my book.  Besides that should be a great day for everyone involved, yes sometimes it gets a little sticky, but that's when they need us the most.

From day one we provide our clients with excellent customer service and are committed to each of our clients needs, we hope to be their Realtor fro life.

Doris Freeman and Sherri Smith              "TEAM MOTHER DAUGHTER" of Reliant Realty

                                                                   dorisandsherri@yahoo.com

Usually, when I attend, the escrow officer really isn't sure what to do with me...... since lenders hardly ever show up. LOL

I don't know why you won't attend. To me that is what we work so hard to get in the first place! This is when the buyers/sellers are happy and it is just the icing on the cake. As for the lenders showing up! I have had a few more wish to attend and they answer all the mtg questions. They are another set of eyes, making sure my clients are taken care of. Lenders in the closing have impressed many a buyer/seller here in our market. I don't think there will be a day I don't attend

Steve - I hear you... I know that you work really hard on REO's!

Melody - I'm sure in a "perfect' world we would all be there... well most of us!

Lisa - That's the attitude!  It is a celebration... 

Audrey - You are a riot!  I have the same issues...  Good for you!

Jim - That is the real truth...  I intend on adding a recent buyer (who was not my customer) to my mailing list, their agent didn't attend inspections, never submitted an inspection request and didn't even show up for closing. 

Hey Vickie!  I feel exactly the same way! 

Michael - I couldn't agree with you more, the end of the transaction is only the beginning of the relationship!

Debbie,

It is highly unusual for Realtors to attend closings in the Hilton Head area.  When I first moved here, I was surprised that it didn't happen until I realized that very few buyers attend closings here as they mostly live out of the area.

Yes, in New Hampshire Realtors always attend the closing, with both the Buyers and Sellers. Title Companies handle the closing, but I'm always there to answer my clients' questions, as there's always some last minute issue to attend to.

Debbie,

I agree wtih you and the other REALTORS.  It is our responsibility to provide representation and advocacy through the settlement process and to followup afterward.  In my opinion, the absence of the professional real estate agent at closing is,  at minimum, a breach of etiquette.  In the rare occasions that a major conflict occurs, I make the client aware as soon as possible and ask a colleague to substitute for me.  The reference to last-minute issues cropping up at closing is a great reminder to all of us.  Thank goodness for the team approach to closing a transaction!

I always go to closing, and there is a good percentage of time that there are questions that need to be answered... and if I am going to serve my clients, I think the first step is to be there.

We always have attended closings although there are those rare times when we suspect that some greedy party is going to attempt to dip into our commission.  Those we don't go to for obvious reasons.  Thankfully that is a very rare occassion.  We are always happy to deliver a closing gift to our Buyers!

It is common in our area to attend the closing.  Questions can come up, if you have an argumentative buyer or seller on the other side (especially in a divorce sale) it can be a difficult closing and the agents can moderate that with calm responses.  Both Seller and Buy agents attend in our area.

Yes, I attend most closings. I'm not sure if it's the best use of my time, but I think some buyers or sellers might be a bit put off if you don't show up.

I'm the odd person out on this thread.  I normally don't attend the signing.  I do when I'm working with a first time home buyer or its a more difficult transaction however I have a great escrow person that I work with who interfaces with the buyer, seller and lender very well before signing and educates the buyer about the process in Washington.  She'll arrange to meet them on a schedule that works for her and the buyers and she'll let me know when they are going to meet.  Sometimes I swing by, however I seem to slow down the process so I've elected not to attend.

Because I set the expectations up from the buyer's tend to be happy with the process.  We are usually in constant communication anyway.

Debbie, I ALWAYS attend the closings of my buyers. Here, in Arizona, the buyer and seller don't generally sit and sign together. ;-)

I ALWAYS attend my closings, and I come bearing gifts for my clients! I owe it to my clients to follow ALL the way through to the last detail. It's possible for unexpected problems to arise at the closing table. It's my job to handle those problems.

Always, always, always attend closing!  It's just the right thing to do.  Most clients feel some amount of apprehension about closing, and being there to ease their nerves, assist if something goes wrong, can make a huge difference for your clients.  Your never want them to feel abandoned!  I can say that if I ever went to closing and my Realtor wasn't there, I would not be a happy client at all!  It's also one of the best and funnest times to spend with a client, share the moment and a great time to get referrals! 

DS,

Not only do we make it a habit of attending each closing,but we always show up with a bottle of wine as a closing gift!

I always attend closings. If I can not be there when I am on vacation a freind who covers for me will be there.

Hi Debbie.  I happily attend closings.  I need more to attend!!!!!

Ken

I attend all closings.  Most of them are bank owned so only me and the buyers are there.

Hello Debbie.  We make every effort to attend the closings.  In our area the appointments are at different times for the Buyer and Seller.  Last year my client is a "Reader" and I was surprised how quickly he went through the documents just signing away.  He then told us that he'd just refi'd 4 of his properties and had the drill down on what the docs said and where to sign!

Best,

John & Kathryn

I used to attend all signing appointments but now I ask....call it lazy but most the time I was never needed and when I was I could not do anything from there and needed to go back to the office....so I always ask buyers and make them comfortable enough to ask in my buyers consultation and usually ask when the signing appointment is made also.

Todd Hueffed

Debbie, I always attend closings...unless I am in the hospital :) This is a great time to ask for referrals and to develop "Clients for Life." Agents who don't attend closing are pretty brave to leave their clients in a room with another real estate professional who proved they could not only do their job BUT that they cared enough to make sure the transaction funded.

We always attend our closings

Debbie, I only attend closing if my clients want me there.  In our area closings are handled by a Title Company and often even the clients aren't there.  Many of our closings are done via overnight mail or UPS because our buyers are out of town.  Most of our sellers are as well.  It is rare for anyone to actually sit down at a Closing Table to sign documents.  In ten years I have actually been at a closing perhaps three times.  You are correct, things are much different in different areas of the Country. 

Debbie, I attend each and every closing. In our area, closings are handled by a closing Attorney, but I don't feel that is an excuse for me to not show up. I feel it is my job, whether I represent the seller or buyer.  You never know when something could go wrong and I want to be there to reassure my clients and help in any way I can.  It shocks me that all agents don't attend closings. I am there each and EVERY step of the way.

TJ -  I have a mortgage person who always attends the closing too.  I think it's really important to have the entire team there with you.

Diane - I love the idea of taking their picture while they sign... What a great touch!  We also have a special meal out to celebrate!

Colleen - I would love to hear more about how closings work in "your neck of the woods"... If you've written a post direct me to it, if not... I would love to read it.

Nicole - I agree with you 100%... I'm all about the personal touch, it is such a comfort to have the lender there with you.

Vickie - In 5 years my husband and I have never missed a closing, I really belive it's important to be there for our customers, even after the sale.

Kim - I can't imagine being any place else on closing day... except at the settlement table.

Bob & Carolin - Thanks for the Arizona insights, I've had sellers sign elsewhere too... I usually talk to them before and after they sign just to make sure they are clear on the details.

Chuck - Good Call...

David - That makes sense... I just can't imagine not being there.

Jo - I had a buyer request all the docs prior to closing so his son "the attorney" could read them, they came to closing and signed everything in 10 minutes.  It's not like you can change anything...

Diane - I'm going to go back and read your post... REQUIRED!  what a concept!

This sounds like the Raleigh NC area.  We are an attorney state, where the attorney does the closing instead of a Title company.  This is really great to have an attorney present.  But I agree.  Closing Day is Pay Day and who does not want to be there to make sure the closing goes smooth or if there are any issues that we get them addressed.  I have saved quite a few closings at the closing table, that may have fallen apart had I not been there.  the Pay day comment is not to sound sinister, but this is what we work so hard for, so it makes sense to make sure it actually happens.  Great post!! Have a great week. Brian Wray

In my area in Williamsburg, Virginia.....the seller signs title and the buyer goes to the closing table.....we do not mix the sellers and buyers together, or the sellers agent with the buyers.....that is a train wreck waiting to happen........

I have only been to one closing that the sellers agent showed up and I was the buyers agent....my buyers did not like it..........

I always insist that the lender comes to closing, as well as I do and the buyers, no matter if a lawyer closes or a title company........

Now the seller goes alone or does a mail away and signs title, alone take 10 to 15 min........done.....

BUT FOR MY BUYERS I ALWAYS GO..........

Elaine

In North Carolina it's a bit different. We use Attorneys instead of Title Companies and it's very typical for an Agent to be present at the closing.  I've worked with Agents from AZ, NY, and other states and they think we are atypical.  The agent has a much larger role in the closing of the transaction.

I agree that the agent should be at the closing table. This shows you care.

Being with a client every step of the way is what sets you apart from "salesmen" and makes you a professional.  I have seen papers pulled out at closing that I would never let my client sign.

At my last closing this month my buyer brought two bottles of Dom Perignon champagne to celebrate. I walked out of there with a major headache and nice check!

Just like you in Florida here in Colorado both parties buyer and seller attend the closing together whenever possibleand always their agent is with them at closing or a represenative of the company. Of course there are exceptions. Why woul about doing it this way, in 18 years and 500 plus closings I have never had a problem when all the parties are in the same room together.

I have never missed a closing!! My feeling is that you are representing your clients until the deal is done. Many closing tables have had last minute issues and I would feel horrible if I was not at that table to help clear the issue.