The most exciting part about a house purchase is getting those keys to your new home - but when is it that you actually do get those keys? Well, typically it is NOT when you sign the closing documents; likely not even the same day. At least here in Washington, here is how it goes. Once buyers and sellers have both signed closing documents, the buyers' lender usually has a period of time to review everything to make sure the paperwork is complete before they notify the escrow company that they are releasing it to fund and record. Then the escrow company actually goes to the county courthouse to have the pertinent documents recorded. Then, when they have recording numbers, and the seller's funds are available to them the sale is officially closed!
But - that still may not be when you get the keys. Our purchase and sales agreement in my market area specifies that possession for the buyer is at 9 PM on the closing date. So this means that if the seller needs that time up until 9 PM to finish moving their possessions out and clean for the buyer (yes, hopefully they clean for the buyer!), then 9 PM is when the buyer can officially take possession of their new home!
Of course, many times the sellers are moved out earlier in the day - or even before you get to closing day. Then it is customary here for the buyers to get their keys as soon as escrow confirms having recording numbers.
Logistically, what usually happens is that the listing agent and selling agent communicate about the most convenient way to make the key swap - maybe with selling agent picking up keys from the listing office or getting the one out of the lockbox or the listing agent dropping them off to the other agent's office. Many possibilities - but yes, I know all you really care about is WHEN DO I GET MY KEYS??
Bottom line is - check with your agent to see what you can expect for timing so that you don't have your moving truck arrive at 9 AM and find out that your keys won't be in your hand until 9 PM!
And then one final tip: usually the sellers will leave their spare keys and garage door openers inside the house - often in a kitchen drawer or on the counter. Be sure you get the mailbox key too if there is one (and also ask which mailbox is yours as the grouped locking ones are usually identified by numbers that are NOT the address.
Last but not least: consider that you may want to pay a locksmith to rekey the home for you so you don't have to wonder if you actually got all the keys the sellers had or if any are still floating around somewhere in the hands of strangers.
So congratulations home buyer - THAT is when you get your keys!!!
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