What to Expect at Your Loan Signing Appointment

Before Your Appointment: How to Prepare

Preparation is the single biggest factor in how smoothly your loan signing goes. Once your closing date is set, your lender and title company will work together to prepare the loan document package. You should receive your Closing Disclosure (CD) at least three business days before closing — this is required by federal law under the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule. Review the Closing Disclosure carefully and compare it to the Loan Estimate you received when you applied. Look at the loan amount, interest rate, monthly payment, closing costs, and cash-to-close figures. If anything looks off, contact your loan officer or escrow agent immediately, because changes to the CD after signing can delay your closing. I always encourage my clients to review the CD before I arrive so the actual signing appointment goes faster.

What to Bring

On the day of your appointment, you need to have a few things ready. First and most importantly, bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A California driver's license or U.S. passport is ideal. If your ID is expired, I cannot proceed with the notarization — this is a legal requirement, not a preference. Second, if your escrow officer has informed you that you need to bring a cashier's check or certified check for the cash-to-close amount, have it ready and made out exactly as instructed (usually payable to the escrow or title company). Many closings now use wire transfers instead, so confirm with your escrow officer which method is required. Third, bring a personal checkbook if you have one, because occasionally there are small adjustments at closing that require an additional payment. Finally, make sure all borrowers listed on the loan are present. If one borrower cannot attend, you will need to arrange a power of attorney well in advance — and as I mentioned in my POA article, many lenders do not accept powers of attorney for loan signings, so check early.

• ●Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for each signer
• ●Cashier's check or proof of wire transfer for cash-to-close (if applicable)
• ●Personal checkbook for small adjustments
• ●Reading glasses if you need them — there is a lot of fine print
• ●Your copy of the Closing Disclosure for reference
• ●Any questions written down for your loan officer

The Document Walkthrough

When I arrive for a loan signing, I bring the complete document package that has been prepared by the title company. A typical loan package contains 100 to 150 pages, which can feel overwhelming, but not every page requires a signature or initial. The key documents I will walk you through include the Closing Disclosure, the promissory note (your promise to repay the loan), the deed of trust (the security instrument that gives the lender a claim on the property), the right to cancel notice (for refinances only — you have three business days to rescind), and various federal and state compliance disclosures. I go through the package page by page, explaining what each document is and where to sign, initial, or date. I will not rush you. If you want to read a document more carefully, take the time you need. My job is to make sure every signature and initial is in the right place, but your job is to make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.

How Long Does It Take?

A typical loan signing appointment takes between 45 minutes and one hour. Straightforward refinances tend to be faster — closer to 30 to 45 minutes — because the borrower often already has experience with the process. Purchase transactions sometimes take a bit longer, especially for first-time homebuyers who want to read more carefully and ask more questions, which is absolutely their right. If there are multiple borrowers, the appointment takes slightly longer because each person signs their own set of documents. Occasionally, I encounter a loan package that has errors — a misspelled name, an incorrect address, or a missing document — and those situations require a call to the title company or lender to resolve before we can proceed. These hiccups are not common, but they can add 15 to 30 minutes if they occur.

Common Questions During the Signing

After conducting hundreds of loan signings across the Bay Area, I have heard the same questions come up repeatedly. Here are the most common ones and brief answers, though your loan officer is always the best resource for anything specific to your loan.

What Happens After You Sign

Once all signatures, initials, and dates are in place, I package the completed documents and ship them back to the title company, usually via overnight courier. The title company reviews the package to make sure everything is complete and correct. If there are any errors — a missing initial, an unsigned page — they will contact you for a correction, which may require a brief follow-up appointment. Assuming the package is clean, the title company sends it to the lender for final review and funding. The lender wires the loan funds to the escrow company, and once the funds are received, the escrow company records the deed with the county recorder's office. At that point, the transaction is officially closed. For purchases, this is when ownership transfers and you get the keys. For refinances, remember the three-day rescission period — your old loan will not be paid off until that window passes.

Tips for a Smooth Signing Experience

After years of loan signings throughout San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and the broader Bay Area, here are my top tips for making the process as painless as possible. Choose a quiet location with a table and good lighting — the kitchen or dining room table works best. Minimize distractions by arranging childcare or handling pets before the appointment. Have your ID out and ready. Sign your name consistently throughout the package — use the same format every time (if your legal name is on the documents, use that exact name). Do not use whiteout or correction tape on any document. If you make a mistake, tell me and we will handle it correctly with a single-line strikethrough and your initials. And finally, do not be afraid to ask questions. I am there to help, and no question about the signing process is a bad one. The only thing I cannot do is give you legal or financial advice about the terms of your loan — that is your loan officer's and attorney's territory.

• ●Choose a quiet, well-lit location with a flat table surface
• ●Have all signers present with valid photo IDs
• ●Sign consistently — use the same name format on every document
• ●Ask questions about the signing process at any time
• ●Direct questions about loan terms to your loan officer
• ●Never use whiteout — initial corrections instead
• ●Allow 60 to 90 minutes for the full appointment