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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate)

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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Buyers and sellers sign seperately. That way, no one going over the table to shake someone's neck...er I mean hand before all paperwork is signed.

I do attend all closings across the state, it's the least I can do for clients.

Feb 24, 2020 09:16 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

When possible we all attend, first we meet separately, then together, if all goes well then a bonding party type atmosphere is achieved by the end of the day.

Feb 24, 2020 11:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

The "closing table" does not exist in my Southern California market.  Roll is not taken nor seat assignments arranged.  If participants want to put down their heads for a "time out" I am sure that might be appreciated by some.  

Feb 24, 2020 09:35 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Both agents usually attend our closings Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate . The title company usually works with the Sellers 1st and then they go wait in the waiting room when the Buyers sign. After each party has had their turn the closing agent hands out the checks, everyone shakes hands, keys are exchanged, and everyone is happy .

Feb 24, 2020 12:14 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

In most of the closings in our area - no.

Sellers have their attorney and documents from the sellers send directly to the title company. 

I don't remember "traditional" closing. :) 

Feb 24, 2020 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
785,475
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

99.9% of the time buyers and sellers sign separately and I always attend to closings. 

Feb 24, 2020 05:45 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Pretty close to the same as you only it doesn't matter if buyer sits on attorney's right or left.  When I am present I always get their early and chose the side of the table that faces the door because I DO NOT sit with my back to the door.  And as a general rule we also have the buyer's lender at closing.  All of our local lenders attend.

Feb 24, 2020 01:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Yes the whole gang can come but rarely do.

We have a seating order - sellers attorney at head of table with sellers right next to him/her. They are closest to title officer.

Buyer & their attorney are hardly ever offered a seat (lol). Across the table from the seller. Agents can sit on their specific sides if there is enough chairs.

I guess it's like a church at a wedding - brides side & the grooms side.

Feb 24, 2020 11:47 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

We attend together, although lately, we've had a lot of mail-aways.

I always attend Closing but, not all agents do. I also bring the lead assistant with me as they have fun meeting the clients that they've worked behind the scenes for.

The attorney sits at the head of the table, flanked by the buyers & sellers. The good lenders attend and we fill in seats wherever (no set 'seating' for agents & lenders). 

Feb 24, 2020 03:52 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Usually all parties come to closing in Denver too.   Whoever gets there first gets to choose which side of the table, but the closer always sits at the head of the table.   If the lender shows up, they sit at the other end of the table.

Feb 24, 2020 02:33 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Many sellers choose to sign in advance. Buyers generally attend as they need to sign mortgage papers. We in CT are an attorney state, so closings typically happen at sellers' attorney's office (who also drafts the contract). The buyer's attorney is present as well and typically represents the lending bank (in NY State, lawyers consider that a conflict of interest and will not do it, so a bank attorney is also present). There are no other closers in the room. Usually agents are invited into the closing, but not always (rude!).  Seating arrangements are not rigid.

Feb 24, 2020 10:47 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

all of our clients have an attorney by their side from step one and through the closing completion.... we don't go.....they're always welcome to use our office or the atty's office.....they go to the registry of deeds to close is they're close enough...

Feb 24, 2020 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

It been ages since I've participated in the group anarchy. Too many 'special intest' real estate agents where showing up with their rescue dogs, raccoons, opossums and armadillos. Somehow these ding-bats gave no regard to the result if someone else brought 'cuddly' the family pit-bull along.

Everyone signs separately. Buyer gets key from title agent when listing agent gives the green light.  

Feb 24, 2020 10:13 AM
Rainmaker
644,025
Greg Large
ERA Real Solutions - Grove City, OH
A Tradition of Trust

typcally yes, all attend, Buyer has the most documents so nearest the closer, no matter which side of the table, then spouse/partner, then agent typically.

Feb 24, 2020 10:06 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

In NH the buyer and seller attends closing. The good agents attend. The closer is at head of table and buyer on one side and seller on the other. 

Feb 24, 2020 09:34 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

In NY, everyone attends. The buyer, seller, buyer's agent, seller's agent, buyer's attorney, seller's attorney, title company, bank attorney. The agents sat on the periphery somewhere since they are not important. The buyer attorney and buyers sat on one side. The sellers attorney and sellers on the other and the bank and title on opposite ends.

In MT, documents are signed separately and there is no big get-together.

I much prefer MT.

Feb 24, 2020 05:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Nope, none. We do not have "closings" here in CA.

Closing is:

  • seller signed long ago and separately
  • buyers-signing loan docs with a notary day 27/28
  • funding day 29
  • recording day 30
  • Handing the buyer keys and a closing gifts the evening of closing at the new home 90% of the time, elsewhere the other 10%.
Feb 24, 2020 04:43 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

When I go to large gatherings, I always look at the seating (if any) because it is revealing. In business, it can break or make a difference. In courtrooms, they practice deliberate seating to opposing sides....

Feb 24, 2020 10:20 AM
Ambassador
3,854,909
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I attend all closings. Buyers and buyer's agents on one side of the Title Attorney or settlement person. Sellers and seller agents on the other side of the attorney. Then I take my clients out to break bread...they chose the restaurant.

Feb 24, 2020 09:02 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

My California friend Michael Jacobs answered perfectly.  In commercial real estate both parties often attend, there are no seating arrangements...A

Feb 24, 2020 02:23 PM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Sometimes the seller presigns but typically all are present: each representative side on one side of the table or other, title company at the head and agents whereever they can fit. 

Feb 25, 2020 04:47 AM
Rainmaker
855,369
Peter den Boer
Atlanta Communities - Woodstock, GA
MBA,GRI, Associate Broker, Realtor

Your description above is exactly how we do it as well. 99.9% of the time the closings are fun for both sides.

Feb 25, 2020 04:39 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

No closing table in California but I would sit next to my client if there were.

Feb 24, 2020 07:57 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Seating protocol? 

Sure...as far away from the listing agent as I can. 

They all put on this fake persona for the buyer who they all schmooze...

Luckily, almost all of our deals are mail-away closings...or Mike goes.

Eve

Feb 25, 2020 11:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

We subscribe to the same basic setup with the "home" team (Seller) closest to the exit. I like a wider table that is not easy to reach across without some effort. There have been fisticuffs during a few closings which are reduced by adding this slight deviation to the table. An additional 12 to 18 inches is preferred.

Feb 25, 2020 10:02 AM
Rainer
2,835
Maggie Barnes
B&M Homes - Charleston, SC
Real estate service helping Charlestonians

Typically, as the buyer we do not attend closing unless our seller specifies that we do. Within the investing space we have found that the seller is split 50/50 where or not they attend. Some just like to pop in and collect a check and be on their way. Some are fine with a wire transfer. Some like to see our faces again and chat more. 

Feb 25, 2020 09:31 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Buyers and Sellers do not sign off together at the same time.  Both may choose to sign with a mobile notary.  Those that choose to sign at the title company, there is no seating protocol. I attend all sign-offs which is part of the closing process. No seating protocol.

Feb 25, 2020 09:10 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Yes. No fixed seating protocol.

Feb 25, 2020 09:09 AM