In the last week before closing, review your Closing Disclosure against your Loan Estimate, confirm your homeowners insurance is in place with your lender, set up SRP or APS electric, water and trash in your name, and confirm your cash to close. Call the title company at a number you looked up yourself to confirm wiring instructions out loud. Do the final walkthrough shortly before closing, check that agreed repairs are done, and keep your finances unchanged until you have the keys.
The week before closing on your Chandler home involves several important steps that deserve real attention, not last minute scrambling, here's a practical checklist to keep everything on track.
Review your Closing Disclosure
Review your Closing Disclosure carefully as soon as you receive it, comparing it against your original Loan Estimate. Your lender has to give it to you at least three business days before closing. I'll help you understand any changes and flag anything that looks off before closing day.
Look closely at the interest rate, the loan amount, the monthly payment, the cash to close and the lender and title fees. Some fees aren't allowed to go up from the Loan Estimate, and others can change only within limits. If a number is different from what you expected, ask your lender why before you sign.
Protect yourself from wire fraud
Closing funds typically need to arrive as a wire transfer or certified funds, confirm exact instructions directly with your title company, and be cautious of wire fraud by verifying instructions through a known, verified phone number, never just an email. Title companies don't change wiring instructions by email. If something feels off, stop and call.
Confirm your homeowners insurance
Your lender will require proof of homeowners insurance before closing, make sure this is finalized and provided to your lender with enough lead time to avoid delays. If the home has a pool, make sure the insurer knows.
Set up utilities
Arrange for utilities to transfer into your name effective on your closing or move in date, so there's no gap in service when you move in. In the Chandler area, that usually means SRP or APS for electricity, the city for water, sewer and trash, plus gas if the home has it.
Book internet and cable installation early too, since appointments can be a week or more out in busy months.
The final walkthrough
Typically done shortly before closing, the final walkthrough confirms the home's condition matches what was agreed upon and that any negotiated repairs were actually completed. Bring the BINSR and ask for repair receipts. Run the AC, water, appliances and pool equipment.
Your closing week checklist
| Task | Done |
|---|---|
| Compare the Closing Disclosure to the Loan Estimate | |
| Confirm cash to close and wiring instructions by phone | |
| Send proof of homeowners insurance to the lender | |
| Schedule electric, water, trash and gas | |
| Schedule the final walkthrough | |
| Confirm movers and key handoff time | |
| Keep your finances unchanged |
What to bring to signing
Bring a valid government issued photo ID, and if more than one person is on the loan, everyone signing needs to be there or arrange to sign separately. If you're bringing funds by wire, send them by the time escrow asks, after confirming instructions by phone. Ask your escrow officer ahead of time how long signing takes, usually about an hour, so you can plan your day.
Keep your financial life boring
Don't open new credit, finance furniture, change jobs or move large amounts of money without talking to your lender. Lenders often re check things right before closing.
Signing and recording
In Arizona, you often sign your documents a few days before the close of escrow date. The home is officially yours when the deed records with the county, and that's when you get the keys. Confirm your move timing around that.
If you're the seller this week
Sellers have their own list. Finish moving out before the buyer's final walkthrough. Leave the home broom clean, with every key, garage remote, mailbox key, gate code and appliance manual in a kitchen drawer. Keep the electricity and water on through closing so the buyer can test everything, and schedule your final meter readings for the closing date. Cancel your homeowners insurance only after the sale records, not before. Leave the pool clean and the equipment running.
Right after you get the keys
Change the locks and garage codes on day one. Find the main water shutoff, the electrical panel and the AC filter. Check that the county recorded your deed, which you can see on the Maricopa County Recorder's website after a few days. Save your final closing statement with your important papers, because you'll want it at tax time and when you sell someday. And watch for your first mortgage statement so your first payment is on time.
The bottom line
I'll walk you through every step of closing week personally, so nothing catches you off guard on the biggest day of the transaction. For the full timeline, see What happens after your offer is accepted in Chandler, AZ?
Let's take the confusion out of this decision, schedule your clarity call today.
Questions, answered.
When should I schedule my final walkthrough?
Shortly before closing, giving enough time to address any last minute issues without creating unnecessary delay.
How should I send my closing funds?
Via wire transfer or certified funds as instructed by your title company, and always verify wire instructions directly by phone using a known number to avoid wire fraud scams.
What if I find an issue during the final walkthrough?
I'll help you address it immediately with the seller's agent, depending on severity, this might mean a quick fix before closing or a negotiated credit.
When do I get my Closing Disclosure?
At least three business days before closing. Compare it with your Loan Estimate and ask about any differences.
When do I get the keys in Arizona?
When the deed records with the county on the close of escrow date, even if you signed a few days earlier.
Want to talk it through?
Bring me the specifics of your situation and I will tell you straight what I would do. No pitch, nothing to sign, and no obligation to work with me afterward.
Walk through closing week with me