Closing & escrow

A clear path to closing.

Once an offer is accepted, the sale runs on documents, decisions and dates. Step through each stage and protect the money transfer.

Escrow stage

Open escrow

What happens

The accepted contract and every addendum go to the escrow holder, who opens the file and holds funds and documents for both sides.

Done whenEscrow has the signed contract

Contacts confirmed for each side
Deposit instructions confirmed by phone
Contract dates written down

Who represents you

What you do

Guided

You lead the sale

Escrow works with you directly. Confirm the contacts and dates, with guidance from Stelo.

Confirm escrow has the contract
Save your escrow contacts
Write down the contract dates

Full service

A licensed agent handles it

Your licensed agent opens escrow and confirms contacts and dates. You review and approve.

Answer escrow's opening questions
Review the dates your agent confirms
Save your escrow contacts

Guided

You lead the sale

You supply documents and answer requests, and track each condition in your dashboard until it is done.

Upload requested documents
Get coaching on repair requests
Track conditions in your dashboard

Full service

A licensed agent handles it

Your agent works the list with the buyer's side and brings each decision to you.

Decide on repair requests
Supply documents your agent asks for
Check status in your dashboard

Guided

You lead the sale

You check the estimate line by line and raise anything that doesn't match before signing.

Compare credits to the contract
Question any unfamiliar charge
Raise mismatches before signing

Full service

A licensed agent handles it

Your agent reviews the estimate with you and takes any mismatch back to escrow.

Read the estimate with your agent
Confirm your loan payoff
Approve it before signing

Guided

You lead the sale

You hand over keys, remotes and included items on the agreed terms, then keep your final records.

Hand over keys on the written terms
Leave the included items
Keep the final settlement statement

Full service

A licensed agent handles it

Your agent confirms closing with escrow and arranges the key handover with the buyer's side.

Confirm move-out condition
Hand over keys on the written terms
Keep the final settlement statement

Who else is involved

Escrow holderOpens the file and holds funds and documents
Buyer or buyer's agentSends the buyer's side of the paperwork
Title companyStarts the title search

Protect the transfer

Wire fraud targets closings. These rules hold on either plan, whoever is handling your sale.

Always

Always: Verify instructions with a trusted contact
Always: Call a phone number you already have
Always: Confirm any change by phone before acting
Always: Keep account details out of email threads
Always: Ask escrow how they will contact you

Treat as a warning

Treat as a warning: A new number sent in the message
Treat as a warning: A last-minute change to where funds go
Treat as a warning: Pressure to send money today
Treat as a warning: A familiar name from an unfamiliar address
Treat as a warning: Instructions that skip your closing team

If funds go astray

Call your bank at once
Then call your closing team
Ask the bank what it can do next
Keep every message and receipt
Change the password on the email involved

Keep your side of the sale ready

What stays with you on either plan while escrow runs.

Confirm everyone who needs to signFlag a trust, estate, entity or absent owner early so the closing team can review the signing arrangement.Organize the property documentsKeep disclosures, requested reports and repair receipts in the agreed place, ready to share.Follow up on open conditionsCheck the current status with the person handling your sale. A passed deadline doesn't resolve an issue on its own.Review your estimated proceedsCheck loan payoffs, agreed credits, any compensation, taxes, prorations and closing charges with escrow.Confirm the handover detailsKeys, remotes, included items, move-out condition and the timing of possession, all in writing.Keep your completed recordsRetain the final settlement documents and sale records for your files and your tax professional.

You are one call away from your local selling team

FAQ

What sellers ask once an offer is accepted, answered straight.

Start from the closing date in your purchase agreement. Financing, title work and open conditions set the real timeline, so ask your closing team what still has to happen.

No. Signing is a milestone; your escrow holder confirms when the sale has closed and when proceeds are disbursed. Hand over access on the written possession terms, not before.

You make the seller's decisions and supply accurate information. The escrow holder handles funds and documents under both parties' instructions. Who represents you depends on your plan.

No. On either plan, $2,500 flat, upfront, or 1% at close with a $3,500 minimum, the Stelo fee is separate from escrow and title charges, taxes, loan payoffs and any buyer-agent compensation, which is optional and negotiable.

Bring coordination questions to the person handling your sale and the escrow holder. For legal advice, use an attorney; for tax advice, a qualified tax professional.

Still have questions?

Let's talk — book a 15-minute intro call with our team