Can anything go wrong during closing on a house?

Asked by: Eriberto West  |  Last update: August 25, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (47 votes)

The closing process involves a lot of paperwork, including the settlement statement, mortgage, and title documents. Errors or missing information on these documents can cause significant delays or even prevent the closing from happening altogether.

Can something go wrong at closing?

In theory, any title defects with the property should be discovered and addressed long before it gets to closing. However, there is always the chance that some previously undiscovered issue, such as an undisclosed lien or mortgage, could arise at the last minute.

Are you liable for anything after selling a house?

Now that the home is under new ownership, the property owner bears the responsibility of anything related to the property. The only way you could be liable at this point, is if something happens and the buyer can prove that you should have known about it, and therefore were responsible to disclose it to them.

Can a house fall through on closing day?

Though it's rare (73% of contracts close on time, and only 5% of contracts never make it past closing day), there are also other reasons that a home's sale can fall through on the closing day, including cold feet, title issues, and unfulfilled contingencies.

What can go wrong between signing and closing?

When you're buying a house, the list of what can go wrong at closing includes everything from issues with the mortgage loan and buyer's credit, insurance snags, appraisal problems, title claims, and events beyond everyone's control (such as natural disasters, or buyer or seller illness or death).

Problems when closing on a house

26 related questions found

Can a loan be denied after signing closing papers?

Can A Mortgage Be Denied After A Closing Disclosure Is Issued? To begin with, yes. Many lenders hire external companies to double-check income, debts, and assets before signing closing documents. If you have significant changes in your credit, income, or funds needed for closing, you may be denied the loan.

Can a mortgage fall through after signing?

Mortgage approvals can fall through on closing day for any number of reasons, like not acquiring the proper financing, appraisal or inspection issues, or contract contingencies.

How often do buyers back out at closing?

3.9% of real estate sales fail after the contract is signed.

There's nothing more frustrating than having a buyer back out at the last second. Even if you're lucky and the house sells quickly and above the asking price after a heated bidding war, many things can go wrong that cause a deal to fall through.

What can go wrong after clear to close?

Your loan may be denied after you've been cleared to close if there's a dramatic change in your finances, such as you lost your job, ran up unexpected large debts, or applied for another form of credit.

Is it normal to move in on closing day?

The possession date is an important part of a real estate contract, and defines when you can legally move into your new home. Depending on the terms you negotiate with the seller, you may move in immediately after closing or after a certain period of time.

What happens if you buy a house and something is wrong?

If you discover material defects after the real estate transaction has closed, you may have an action for breach of contract. A qualified, local real estate attorney with experience in housing and construction defects can help you understand your rights and draft an appropriate demand letter.

How long after buying a house can you complain?

Most statutes of limitations are somewhere between two and ten years, but this will depend on where you are and what type of claim you have.

What can a buyer sue a seller for?

Suing the Seller for Non-Disclosure

Under California's disclosure laws, buyers can pursue compensation for damages related to a seller's non-disclosure.

Can you be sued after closing on a house?

If a buyer discovers hidden defects or unforeseen issues after closing, they may be able to sue the seller for damages. The specific legal options available will depend on the laws of the state where the property is located and the real estate contract terms.

Can lenders back out after closing?

After closing, your lender cannot go back on the arrangement they have made with you. Your loan can be denied anytime from the point of application to the point of closing. However; at closing' and 'after closing' differ in that at closing, the final documents are yet to be signed.

Do sellers show up at closing?

The attendance of the seller at a real estate closing is not always required. One thing, if you choose, that we can help you with, is to free up your time so you do not have to attend the real estate closing.

What happens 3 days before closing?

When the Know Before You Owe mortgage disclosure rule becomes effective, lenders must give you new, easier-to-use disclosures about your loan three business days before closing. This gives you time to review the terms of the deal before you get to the closing table.

Can something go wrong on closing day?

One of the most common closing problems is an error in documents. It could be as simple as a misspelled name or transposed address number or as serious as an incorrect loan amount or missing pages. Either way, it could cause a delay of hours or even days.

Can a loan be denied on closing day?

Significant Issues with the Property

In some cases, issues related to the condition of the property can lead to a loan denial after closing. For example, if the property appraisal comes in significantly lower than the purchase price, it could affect the loan-to-value ratio and the lender's willingness to fund the loan.

Can a deal fall through after closing?

Sometimes, deals fall through, even after you and the buyer have a contract in place. While it's relatively rare for a buyer to back out of a deal, it does happen. Here, we'll explain the most common reasons for a buyer to back out, and what you can do if it happens to you.

Can sellers leave junk in the house?

As the owner of the property and its contents, the buyers can do what they want with the things left behind by the seller. “Donate them, throw them away, sell them, or keep them—it's up to you,” says Jay.

What if I find issues at the final walk-through?

If you find any issues during your final walk-through, tell your real estate agent. They can help you communicate with the seller. This may delay the closing process, but the seller may need additional time to resolve the issues or your agents may need time to renegotiate the sale.

At what point do most house sales fall through?

Common Reasons Pending Sales Don't Cross the Finish Line
  • The appraisal is lower than the sale price. ...
  • The buyer can't sell their old home. ...
  • There are issues with the title. ...
  • The home isn't insurable. ...
  • The buyer is inexperienced. ...
  • There are details missing on the paperwork. ...
  • The buyer or seller gets cold feet.

What can happen between signing and closing?

The Gap between Signing and Closing

This scenario could happen to both parties where they need shareholder approval to buy or sell the company. There are a lot of different types of third-party approval, which vary from deal to deal. One of the most common ones is customer approval.

Who pays for appraisal if deal falls through?

“It has nothing to do with the seller; it is ordered by your lender, and payment is due regardless of the outcome,” says Maria Jeantet, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker C&C Properties in Redding, CA. “It is typically paid by the buyer unless specifically negotiated ahead of time to be paid by the seller.”