Closing day marks an exciting milestone as you take ownership of your new home. But exactly when can you move in your belongings and take possession after the closing appointment?
How Soon Can You Move In After Closing on a House?
The good news is that in most cases, buyers can move into the property immediately following closing.
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Here is more detail on access timing, how closing and possession work, and when you get the keys.
1. Closing Day Logistics
During the closing appointment, you will sign all the legal documents and transfer funds to complete the property purchase. Once this meeting concludes and the title company or attorney confirms the home is yours, you can move in immediately.
The previous owner will have already vacated based on your negotiated possession date in the purchase contract. So immediately after closing, the home is yours to start moving into.
2. Getting Access
On closing day, you will coordinate with your real estate agent to obtain the keys, garage door openers, alarm codes, and other access needed to enter the home.
The sellers are required to provide all of this upon transferring possession to you. Typically you will get these items directly from the listing agent onsite once closing finishes.
So you can start moving as soon as you have both legal ownership and physical means to enter.
Why Immediate Possession Is Standard
Buyers expect immediate possession because:
- It allows coordination of the moving schedule and avoids temporary housing costs.
- Buyer’s purchase costs and mortgage start accruing the day of closing.
- Insurance and utilities need to be activated immediately under the buyer’s name.
- Delayed possession must be negotiated upfront in the purchase contract.
- Sellers are motivated for funds release and want concluded transactions.
In most transactions, the sellers will have already moved out their belongings prior to closing day, according to the sale agreement. This frees up the home for the buyers to move in as soon as legally possible.
Exceptions to Immediate Occupancy
Exceptions where you cannot move in immediately after closing include:
- Sellers negotiate delayed move-out in the purchase contract. This is called post-closing possession. It essentially means that the seller is renting the house back from you after you already own it.
- Extensive repairs or renovations to complete after closing before being habitable.
- New construction home not yet finished and ready for occupancy.
Barring these situations, buyers can expect to get the keys in hand right after closing and move in straight away in a typical real estate purchase.
Learn how long does it take to close on a house at different stages of the closing process.
