The Closing Process for Buyers
Closing is the stretch between "offer accepted" and "keys in hand." In Massachusetts that usually runs about 30 to 45 days, and it moves through a predictable set of milestones: signing the Purchase and Sale agreement, finishing your inspection, locking in your mortgage, the appraisal, a title search, a final walk-through, and then the closing itself. Your job is mostly to respond quickly to your lender; your agent and attorney keep the rest on track.
What is the Purchase and Sale agreement?
In Massachusetts, the accepted offer is followed by the Purchase and Sale agreement (the "P&S") — the detailed contract that governs the deal. It is typically signed within a couple of weeks of the offer, after inspection, and it is worth having an attorney review it. Massachusetts is an "attorney state," so buyers and lenders normally work with a real estate attorney through closing.
What is the mortgage commitment and appraisal?
After the P&S, your lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home is worth the price, then works toward a firm mortgage commitment by the date in your contract. This is the period to avoid anything that changes your finances — no new loans, no job changes if avoidable. If the appraisal comes in low, that is a negotiation moment, and your agent will help you navigate it.
Why does a title search matter?
Your attorney runs a title search to confirm the seller can legally convey the property and that there are no unexpected liens or claims against it. You will also buy title insurance — an owner's policy is optional but usually wise; the lender's policy is required. This is quiet, behind-the-scenes work that protects your ownership for as long as you hold the home.
What happens at the final walk-through and closing?
Shortly before closing, you do a final walk-through to confirm the home is in the agreed condition and any negotiated repairs are done. At the closing table (or its electronic equivalent), you sign the loan documents and the deed is recorded. Once everything is recorded and funds are disbursed, the home — and the keys — are yours.
Budget for closing costs. On top of your down payment, buyers typically pay closing costs — lender fees, attorney fees, title insurance, recording fees, and prepaid items like property tax and insurance escrow. Plan for roughly 2–5% of the purchase price, and ask your lender for a written Loan Estimate early so there are no surprises. Note that in Massachusetts the deed excise ("transfer") tax is customarily paid by the seller, not the buyer.
Want the whole picture from the start? Walk through the complete buying roadmap or make sure your financing is lined up first.
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