At a Michigan real estate closing, the buyer and seller — along with their attorneys, real estate agents, and lender representatives — meet to execute all final documents required to complete the transaction. This includes signing the deed, mortgage documents, closing disclosure, and transfer tax forms. The buyer provides closing funds, the lender funds the loan, the title is transferred, and the deed is recorded with the county. Our attorneys prepare and review all documentation, coordinate with all parties, and ensure the transaction closes accurately and on time.

Michigan does not legally require an attorney to be present at every real estate closing, but having legal representation is strongly advisable — particularly for buyers and sellers who want their interests independently protected. A real estate attorney reviews all closing documents before you sign, identifies terms or conditions that are unfavorable or incorrect, ensures the title is clear, and advises you on your rights and obligations. Real estate transactions involve significant financial commitments — legal oversight at closing is one of the most valuable protections available.

Escrow in a Michigan real estate transaction provides a secure, neutral mechanism for holding funds and documents — such as the earnest money deposit and closing funds — until all conditions of the purchase agreement are fulfilled. The escrow agent holds these assets impartially and disburses them only when every agreed contractual obligation has been satisfied. Escrow protects both the buyer and the seller by ensuring no money changes hands until the transaction is legally complete and all terms have been met.

Common title issues that can delay or prevent a Michigan real estate closing include unpaid property taxes or contractor liens against the property, unresolved judgments or mortgages from prior owners, errors or gaps in the recorded chain of title, boundary or survey disputes, undisclosed easements or restrictions, and probate issues arising from a deceased prior owner. Our attorneys identify these issues during the title examination process and work to resolve them before closing — rather than leaving them to surface as problems after the transaction is complete.

The closing itself — the actual signing appointment — typically takes one to two hours for a standard residential transaction. The full timeline from accepted purchase agreement to closing depends on the complexity of the transaction, the lender’s underwriting process, and how quickly title examination and any required issue resolution can be completed. Most residential closings in Michigan occur within 30 to 60 days of an accepted offer. Commercial transactions often require additional time. Our team works proactively to keep your transaction on schedule.

Yes. We provide title settlement, closing, and escrow services for both residential and commercial real estate transactions in Michigan. Commercial closings typically involve greater complexity — more parties, larger financial stakes, more intricate title histories, and additional due diligence requirements. Our attorneys have the expertise to manage that complexity and ensure commercial transactions close with the same precision and security as residential ones. Contact us to discuss your specific commercial transaction needs.