Special offer
Meredith Fogle, Kentlands, Lakealnds, Gaithersburg, 20878 expert (Old Line Properties)

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Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Separately.  Often the buyers and sellers NEVER meet.

Apr 27, 2016 02:44 AM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

CA is weird, no 'meeting at the closing table', just signing off on docs, escrow moving papers and money around, and voila, ownership is transferred.

I still work in the northeast too, where in Delaware & PA, it's common for buyers, sellers, agents, and everyone to be together signing off & exchanging keys & checks

Apr 27, 2016 09:59 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Because of the new TRID our closers are separating buyers and sellers. I think this is an excellent idea and should have been done all along.

Apr 27, 2016 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

in my area, they always sign in one room....it's like a little party...

Apr 27, 2016 03:44 AM
Rainer
69,794
Shawn and Angela Miller
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Amabassador Real Estate - Lincoln, NE
Lincoln and Omaha, NE REALTORS®

Seperate seems to be the norm here.  Usually signing seller docs take but 15 minutes or less.  Buyers, if getting a loan, take a little longer. No need for them both to sit in the closing room.  Plus, if I was a buyer, I would not want the sellers to hear about my financials as the title company is explaining the loan docs to me.

Apr 27, 2016 03:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Separately. That is what realtors do be the parrot or ears of them.

CALIFORNIA

Apr 27, 2016 03:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Separately. Would keep the war from starting in some cases!

Apr 27, 2016 03:04 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Separately - ne'er the twain shall meet - plus we do a lot of mail outs

Apr 27, 2016 08:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Round table closing with all parties present is the norm

Apr 27, 2016 11:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

In Colo. most times both sign together. 

Apr 27, 2016 09:46 AM
Rainmaker
413,977
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker

We historically had everyone at the same table for the closing, but with the implementation of TRID, that's not happening as much any more. 

Apr 27, 2016 07:54 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

It is nice when we can all sit down together, but often schedules or distance prohibit this.

Apr 27, 2016 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We generally keep the parties apart.

Apr 27, 2016 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

We do it both ways.

Apr 27, 2016 06:24 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Yes, we still do conference room style here.

Apr 27, 2016 06:23 AM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Separately.  The two parties never meet.   I just closed a property and we all met in the entry. One leaving the other arriving.  Was totally ok.  They even exchanged phone numbers. 

Apr 27, 2016 06:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

We do not have settlement table in AZ - buyer and seller SELDOM SEE each other during any phase of the transaction. I have clients I've never seen. I know we are not the norm and honestly don't know how you guys all sit together at a table and work it out. I guess that's why you use attorneys. 3:)

Apr 27, 2016 06:03 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Both are done. just depends on schedules and locations of buyers and sellers.

Apr 27, 2016 06:01 AM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Our own sellers very often pre sign documents and are not at closing, we have the power of attorney to sign AT closing.  On rare occasions when both buyes and sellers are there, they are in separate rooms, and ideally, shake hands and congratulate each other at the conclusion of the closing.

Apr 27, 2016 05:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

We have it both ways.  Just depends on everyones schedule.

Apr 27, 2016 04:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't know what's happening in MD, but the new TRID requirements are that buyer and seller sign separately even if they are signing at the same time. In NC they no longer sit in the same room.

Apr 27, 2016 04:32 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Depending on where we close:  Most Title Companies have us in the same room (unless there are personality conflicts, etc.) -- then we request separate quarters.  From my experience when we close at a Bank they automatically put buyers and sellers in separate room for "privacy" reasons.  

Apr 27, 2016 03:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Many years ago, it seemed settling together was the norm, however, now it is rare with split settlements being more common.  For sellers, usually it's because they prefer to go in at their convenience and sign in advance.  I prefer my clients settle with a title company that is reliable and known to do a good job. 

Apr 27, 2016 03:19 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Separately.  Keeps each side of the transaction private.

Apr 27, 2016 03:10 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Most of the closing documents singed way before the closing. No more "official" closings.

Dec 11, 2019 08:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Same table, same time.

Dec 11, 2019 08:29 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

In Denver we typically sign at the same table too, but when the transaction has been less than amicable, it could get split.

Apr 30, 2016 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I prefer togetherness.

Apr 28, 2016 09:46 AM
Rainmaker
152,661
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski
Coldwell Banker Realty - Woodbridge, VA
Helping agents live an exceptional life!

I rarely do closings with both parties at the table. Our area is very busy, people have demanding jobs, and traffic is always a consideration.

Apr 28, 2016 12:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I have never seen a buyer and seller together at the closing table as in California that table doesn't exist.  In fact, it's not uncommon for the buyers and sellers to ever meet.  

Apr 28, 2016 12:21 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

If the buyer and seller get along, we sit together, when they dont, it is separate rooms, or times.

Apr 27, 2016 11:25 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Here, everyone gets together at the same time. I would prefer that they did not, just for timing issues alone. Sometimes it came be weeks before both attorneys, the seller and buyer, the title company, etc can all get together in a room. We would be able to close a lot faster if we could do it separately.

Apr 27, 2016 10:24 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Separately.  Works well.

Apr 27, 2016 10:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Always separately, in SoCal buyers usually never  meet  or communicate directly with sellers. 

Apr 27, 2016 05:32 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Meredith, we prefer a closing at the registry - buyers present and sellers most of the time.

Apr 27, 2016 04:07 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

My understanding is that TRID has something to do with the change.

Apr 27, 2016 03:32 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

we close at the same table. But generally speaking the attorney will start with the buyers even if the sellers haven't arrived because they have so many more documents and the seller shouldn't have to sit through that.

Apr 27, 2016 02:51 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Everyone used to sit at the same table, the same closing room, at the same time. 

Thanks to TRID, Buyer has already signed the loan docs somewhere else, or in another room.

 

Apr 27, 2016 01:47 PM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Buyers and sellers close separately here in Texas, which is the best way to handle it in my opinion.

Apr 27, 2016 01:19 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

There is no real custom we do what works for the clients

Apr 27, 2016 12:59 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

The lawyers are the ones who work together to close the transaction.

Apr 27, 2016 06:32 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Buyer and seller THINK they want to be together.

I do my best to not allow both together.

Usually I prevail. Last week I did not. Ended well.

Apr 27, 2016 03:49 AM