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What Happens at a Closing

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Finally, you wake up one morning and the day of your closing has dawned. Whether you feel confident or a little nervous, it helps to know what to expect. Closing customs differ by geographic area. In addition to whether everyone involved signs papers individually or around a table, the location of the closing depends in part on local tradition (as well as what's most convenient for the parties involved). Most likely, your attorney or the title or escrow company will host the closing. But a closing can also take place at the bank, your builder's sales office (for new construction), the office of the lender's attorney, and sometimes even at the real estate agency.

What to expect at the closing, taking into account differences between regions? Whatever the local details and customs, the final result is the same: You become a homeowner.

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