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Top 5 Mistakes That Delay Closings — and How to Avoid Them

May 16, 2025

After handling thousands of closings, we can tell you this: delays don’t usually come from big, dramatic disasters. They come from small, preventable details that get overlooked.

If you’re an agent, a buyer, or anyone navigating a closing, here are five of the most common hang-ups—and how we help you avoid them.

1. Title Issues
Old liens, boundary disputes, or mystery heirs can quietly derail a deal. That’s why we dig deep early on—so if there’s something hidden in the property’s past, we can fix it well before closing day.

2. Paperwork Problems
A misspelled name or missed signature may not seem like a big deal until it delays funding. We double- and triple-check every document because when it comes to closings, “almost right” isn’t good enough.

3. Last-Minute Changes
Late adjustments to the Closing Disclosure can trigger mandatory waiting periods. We stay in close communication with lenders and agents from start to finish, so there are no surprises when it counts.

4. Wire Issues
Delayed funds or wire fraud can bring everything to a stop. We give every client clear wiring instructions and confirm the details ahead of time because closing day is not the time to play catch-up.

5. Missing Signers or IDs
It sounds simple, but we’ve seen closings stall because someone forgot their ID or a power of attorney wasn’t filed correctly. We provide clear checklists to make sure everyone and everything is ready.

The truth is most delays are avoidable with the right team and the right systems in place. At Miller & Associates, we stay two steps ahead so your closing can move forward without a hitch.

Need a team that knows how to keep things on track? We’d love to help.