Closing Table Essentials

You’ve secured the dream home, you’ve been approved for a loan with Gershman Mortgage, and the closing date has been set! But now the question is, what do you bring to the table? The closing table, that is.

What Do I Need to Bring to My Mortgage Closing?

When it’s time to sign the documents and get your keys, there are a couple of things you should bring with you to the closing table to ensure a smooth process:

✅ A valid photo ID – a current driver’s license or passport will do the trick

✅ Certified funds – confirm with your loan officer the amount you’ll need to bring in for closing costs, and be prepared with a cashier’s check in hand, or proof of a wire transfer 

What Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs refer to the various fees involved in finalizing a home loan. These fees often run from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. Most of the closing costs fall on the buyer, but the seller typically has to pay a few, too. These are due at the closing table. The cost breakdown is on your loan estimate provided by Gershman Mortgage when you first apply for a loan, and on the closing disclosure that you will receive at least three business days before closing.

Each loan is different, but here are some examples of what may be included for your closing costs:

👷 Appraisal Fee: 

A fee paid to the appraiser to research and estimate the property’s value

📄 Credit Report: 

A fee paid to Gershman that covers the cost of pulling your credit report to determine your creditworthiness

🤝 Discount Points: 

An upfront fee that you can pay to reduce your interest rate over the life of your loan (optional)

🔎 Home Inspection Fee: 

A fee paid to the home inspector to determine the condition of the home

💻 Origination Fee: 

A fee charged by Gershman Mortgage for originating and processing the loan

📑 Recording Fees: 

Fees paid to your local government to record the real estate purchase and make it public record

📃 Title Service Fees: 

Fees paid to the title company covering the title examination, title search, and other services associated with issuing title insurance

💲Transfer Taxes: 

A tax imposed on the transfer of title from one person to another

Who Are the Key Players at the Closing Table?

The closing table generally brings together all parties involved in the property purchase, including your Gershman Mortgage loan officer, your real estate agent, the listing agent, and a closing agent from the title company. The closing agent is responsible for having you sign all of the closing documents and notarizing the security instrument (also known as a Deed of Trust or Mortgage). The security instrument will be sent to be recorded by the recorder of deeds of the county or city in which the property is located. At that time, funds will be disbursed and collected per the purchase transaction. And then it’s official – pop the champagne!

Gershman Mortgage Offers Hybrid Closings

Gershman understands that people are busy and always on the go – that’s why we offer hybrid closings to reduce your closing time and make the process even easier!

Benefits to a Hybrid Closing:

📱 Accessibility: you can review documents prior to your closing from your computer, smartphone, or any device that has an internet browser as soon as the closing package is ready 

⌚ Save Time: time at the closing table is typically 15 minutes or less

👍 Accuracy: errors such as missing signatures or compliance issues are caught immediately and flagged

🏡 Less Stress: the option to complete parts of the process from home adds a layer of comfort, reducing stress compared to the traditional, all-in-person approach

🌳 Eco-Friendly: eliminate paper from the e-sign process. Digital files are easy to store and access

A Smooth Closing Process… Guaranteed

Whichever way you choose to close your loan, make sure you choose Gershman Mortgage to be at the closing table with you. Our knowledgeable and dedicated loan officers want to make the entire home-buying journey as easy as possible for you, from pre-approval to closing, and beyond!

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About Gershman: Communities, families, and homes are at the heart of what we do at Gershman Mortgage. Our founding principles are based on the core values of honesty, integrity, the entrepreneurial spirit, and putting our customers first. We are passionate and committed to customer service and strive to ensure that we exceed the expectations of our customers. We are a customer-centric company devoted to creating and maintaining long-lasting relationships.

NMLS #138063 16253 Swingley Ridge Road Suite 200 Chesterfield, MO 63017 (800) 457-2357 Equal Housing Lender. Serving borrowers in: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin

Written by Alli Wideman 08/04/2025 for Gershman Mortgage