Buying
What Happens on Closing Day?
Signing, funding and recording — what actually has to happen before a home is yours.
4 min read · Updated 2026
In Arizona, closing is a process rather than a single meeting. Three things generally need to happen: documents are signed, funds arrive, and the deed records with the county.
The sequence
- Signing: buyer and seller sign, often separately, at the escrow or title company.
- Funding: the lender releases loan funds and the buyer's remaining funds are confirmed in escrow.
- Recording: the county records the deed. In most Arizona transactions, this is the point at which the sale is complete and keys change hands.
How to make it uneventful
- Send wire transfers early and verify instructions by phone with a known number.
- Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification.
- Avoid new credit accounts, large purchases or job changes before funding.
- Review the settlement statement in advance and ask about anything unclear.
Information on this site is general in nature and is not legal, tax, financial or lending advice. Melissa Smets is a licensed REALTOR® and is not an attorney. Consult an appropriate professional regarding your specific situation.
Keep reading
- What Is Earnest Money in Arizona?
What earnest money actually is, who holds it, when it becomes at risk, and how it is credited at closing.
- What Is a BINSR?
The Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller's Response is one of the most consequential documents in an Arizona transaction. Here is how it works.
- Understanding the Arizona Home Inspection Period
What the inspection period is for, how to use it well, and the specialty inspections worth considering in Northern Arizona.