Offices in Baxter Village, Lake Wylie, & Rock Hill
Quick Reference: NC vs. SC
Step | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
Agent notification | Upon recording confirmation | Via funded-and-disbursed email |
Disbursement timing | After recording confirmation | Upon completed signing and funds received |
Recording before disbursement | Required | Not required |
If you have questions at any stage, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office—we're here to help keep your transaction on track.
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Real Estate Agent Partnerships
From contract to close, we keep you and your clients informed at every stage, with clear commission handling, fast title turnarounds, and closings you can count on.
Realtor's Guide to the Closing Process (NC & SC)
This guide outlines what to expect—and what to communicate to your clients—at each stage of the closing process for both North Carolina and South Carolina transactions.
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1
Receipt of Executed Contract
Once our office receives the fully executed contract, we will send a welcome email to the buyer or seller (and to you, as the agent, if applicable). This email includes the closing date, time, and location, identification requirements, and a link to the appropriate information sheet (Buyer or Seller Information Sheet).
What you can do: Confirm your client received the welcome email and encourage them to complete their information sheet promptly—delays here are the most common cause of closing delays.
2
Completion of the Information Sheet
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Buyers: Must complete the Buyer Information Sheet as soon as possible so we can order the title search. This process takes 10–15 business days or longer.
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Sellers: Must complete the Seller Information Sheet, including complete payoff information for any mortgages, home equity lines, or HOA dues (noting any sub-HOA or second HOA). Sellers in foreclosure or bankruptcy must notify our office immediately.
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Agents: Please complete the Agent Information Sheet, if applicable. This sheet lists your commission, payment preference, mailing address, and other relevant information.
What you can do: Remind your client that thorough, accurate information here prevents downstream delays—especially payoff and HOA details for sellers. Complete your own Agent Information Sheet promptly as well, so your commission and payment details are on file well ahead of closing.
3
Earnest Money Deposit (Buyer Transactions)
If our office holds the earnest money deposit, payment is due by the date specified in the contract.
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Deposits over $5,000.00 must be wired.
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Deposits up to $5,000.00 may be paid by personal check, cashier's check, official check, or money order.
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Wiring instructions are available through CertifID upon request.
What you can do: Confirm your buyer knows the deposit deadline and understands our office will never send wiring instructions by unsecured email.
4
Title Search and Review
Once the information sheet is received, we order the title search (buyer transactions) or begin our title review (seller transactions). Our title team reviews all documents for issues such as ownership discrepancies, encumbrances, setbacks, encroachments, or liens. Any issues found are communicated to you and your client so they can be resolved before closing.
What you can do: Let your client know this step can take time and that a "Commitment" email (buyer side) or title issue outreach (seller side) may follow—these are routine parts of the process.
5
Lender Coordination (Financed Transactions)
If a lender is involved, they will review all title documents and request any needed changes. The lender moves the file through underwriting toward clear-to-close, after which our office balances the Closing Disclosure with the lender—reconciling attorney fees, invoices, title insurance, and lender fees such as origination, appraisal, and credit report fees.
Note: The buyer's final number ultimately comes from the lender.
What you can do: Manage client expectations that final numbers aren't confirmed until the CD is balanced, which typically happens close to closing.
6
Settlement Statement Review
Once balancing is complete (if applicable), our paralegals send the final settlement statement to you for review prior to closing. Please review the settlement statement with your client prior to closing. This document lists all debits, credits, and closing costs.
What you can do: Review the settlement statement carefully yourself as soon as it arrives—also review the settlement statement with your client. Flag any questions about prorations, commissions, administrative fees, or payoffs to our office before closing day—catching discrepancies early helps avoid last-minute delays at closing.
At this time, please be sure to have your clients reach out to our office for CertifID wiring instructions to send their funds for closing. It is best practice that our office is in receipt of closing funds the day before closing to ensure that funds are available the day of closing.
7
Closing Day
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Client identification: Clients must bring the required forms of ID listed in their welcome email (buyers: one valid photo I.D.; sellers: two valid forms of I.D.).
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Client wiring instructions: Sellers who want funds wired must bring a hard copy of wiring instructions to closing—our office does not accept wiring instructions in any form other than hand delivery.
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Agent wiring instructions: If our office does not already have your wiring instructions on file, please bring a hard copy of your agency's wiring instructions to closing.
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Documents: Our attorney will review all closing documents with your client and answer any questions about the property.
What you can do: Confirm your client has their I.D. and any required original documents ready before arriving, and bring your own wiring instructions if we don't already have them on file.
8
Funding Authorization, Recordation, and Disbursement
North Carolina Closings
Some lenders require funding authorization before we release funds. Once authorization is received, we submit the deed and mortgage for recording. Recording must be complete prior to disbursement. You will be notified once we are on record with the Register of Deeds.
South Carolina Closings
Recordation is not required prior to disbursement. Once funding is complete, our office will send you a funded-and-disbursed email, and funds will be delivered to the client per their preference.
What you can do: Set expectations with NC clients that disbursement may not happen same-day as closing, while SC clients can typically expect same-day disbursement.