A real estate closing is the final stage of a property transaction, where ownership is officially transferred from the seller to the buyer. While it involves numerous moving parts, we have designed this workflow to give you a clear, step-by-step overview of the journey from contract to keys. Our goal at Wilson Pruitt is to guide you through this complex process with transparency, ease, and expertise.

  1. Receipt and Review of Signed Contract

The closing process begins the moment a fully executed sales contract is delivered to our team. We perform an initial, high-level review of the agreement to identify key deadlines, specific contingencies, and all parties involved, ensuring a solid foundation for the work ahead.

For the fastest start, submit the final signed contract directly to our dedicated processing email: neworders@wilsonpruittlaw.com.

  1. Collect Parties’ Information

Once a file is opened, our closing processors begin gathering essential information through our closing portal. This phase is about coordinating communication and collecting the personal and financial details required to prepare all legal documents.

  • For Buyers: This includes identifying information, financing details from your lender, and contact information.
  • For Sellers: We collect payoff information for any existing mortgages, current home details, and necessary tax forms.
  1. Title Review Examination

This is one of the most critical legal steps. We order and examine a complete history of the property (the “chain of title”) from public records. A dedicated title examiner reviews the findings to verify that the seller has the legal right to transfer the property and to identify any “clouds on title”—such as unsatisfied mortgages, liens, unpaid taxes, or judgments—that must be resolved before the closing can proceed.

  1. Closing Date, Time, and Location Confirmed

When the title is clear and your lender has issued a “Clear to Close,” we coordinate the actual closing event. Final figures are calculated and detailed on a document called the Settlement Statement or Closing Disclosure (CD). Once all parties approve the final numbers, we confirm the specific date, time, and location (often our office) to finalize the transaction.

  1. All Documents Signed

On closing day, all parties meet to execute the required legal and financial documents. This involves multiple signatures on crucial papers, including the Deed (which transfers ownership), the Mortgage or Deed of Trust (if financing), and the Promissory Note (your promise to repay the loan).

  1. Funds Transferred

Once the signing is complete, the process of “funding” begins. Funds are collected from the buyer (down payment and closing costs) and the lender (the mortgage loan) into a neutral third-party “escrow account.” From this central account, the funds are securely “disbursed” according to the final settlement statement to pay off the old mortgage, the seller’s proceeds, real estate commissions, and other closing fees.

  1. Deed Recorded & Policy Issued

This final stage is the official conclusion of your transaction and occurs simultaneously across two fronts:

  • Deed Recorded: We submit the original, notarized Deed to the county clerk’s office for public recording. This gives constructive notice to the entire world that the buyer is now the new, official legal owner of the property.
  • Policy Issued: At this moment, the final title insurance policies are issued. The Owner’s Policy is provided to protect the new owner, and the Lender’s Policy is provided to protect the mortgage lender, safeguarding both parties against any future challenges to the property’s legal ownership that may arise.

We Close Where You Are: Navigating Georgia’s “Attorney-State” Requirements

Georgia is a “Physical Presence” state, meaning a licensed Georgia attorney must technically oversee the execution of deeds. However, we know that travel isn’t always possible. At Wilson Pruitt, we provide three distinct paths to ensure your closing happens on time, regardless of your location.

  • Traditional In-Person Closing: The gold standard. Visit our Blue Ridge or Ellijay office, enjoy our famous office cookies, and complete your paperwork in about 30 minutes to an hour with a dedicated attorney.
  • Mail-Away Closing: Best for out-of-state buyers or sellers. We coordinate with a mobile notary or an attorney’s office near you to facilitate the signing.
    • The Process: We send your documents digitally to the notary or attorney’s office. You sign them in the presence of a Notary and a Disinterested Witness (Georgia requires both).
    • The “Georgia Rule”: Because original “wet” signatures are required for recording, the notary or attorney’s office will overnight the completed package back to our office.
    • The Benefit: This ensures every “i” is dotted, and “t” is crossed, so your deed is recordable, your title is protected, and the transaction timely funds.
  • Power of Attorney (POA) Closing: If you can’t attend, you can appoint a trusted representative (a friend, relative, or agent) to sign on your behalf, assuming lender approval where applicable.
    • Our Service: We draft a Specific Power of Attorney tailored to your transaction for a flat fee. This must be signed, witnessed, and notarized in advance, and we must receive the original ink-signed document from our coordinated third-party notary service provider before the closing can fund.

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