Common Mistakes During the Closing Process That Derail a New Home Purchase

 Posted on May 14, 2026 in Real Estate

Few life events are as exciting as purchasing a new home. Whether this will be your first time as a homeowner or you are upgrading to a new residence, staying grounded is crucial. Mistakes and oversights during the home-buying process can lead to nasty surprises during closing. For legal help, consider working with a San Antonio, TX real estate attorney.

Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, has years of experience guiding homeowners through major transactions. We can provide you with legal advice tailored to your unique situation, whether you are a first-time home buyer or you are moving into a new property better suited to your household.

What Happens During a Real Estate Closing in Texas?

Real estate closing is the final step before a buyer becomes the legal owner of a home. In Texas, this often happens through a title company. The buyer, seller, agents, lender, and title company all have roles, but they may not all meet in one room.

Before closing day, the title company checks the title. This helps confirm that the seller can sell the home. It can also reveal liens, unpaid taxes, ownership issues, or problems that could affect the sale. If the buyer is using a mortgage, the lender will review the loan before final approval.

At closing, the buyer signs loan documents, a settlement statement, tax forms, and title paperwork. The seller signs the documents needed to transfer ownership. The buyer pays the down payment, closing costs, and other final charges. After the papers are signed and the money is received, the deed can be recorded. Once funding is complete, the buyer usually receives the keys.

Three Mistakes To Avoid During a Real Estate Closing in 2026

The stakes are high during a real estate closing. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can avoid these costly mistakes.

Celebrating Your New Home With Expensive Purchases Before Closing

One of the first things people want to do once they have purchased a new home is buy appliances, decorations, or other items for the home. While this is certainly understandable, making large purchases before the deal is closed can result in heartbreak. Large purchases affect your debt profile, increasing the risk of being denied your mortgage loan. You may have been approved for a mortgage before the purchase, but now that circumstances have changed, the lender could back out.

Opening a new line of credit before the purchases are finalized can have the same devastating impact on your ability to secure a mortgage and acquire the home you have your eyes set on. It is best to wait until closing is complete before opening any new lines of credit or making any large purchases.

Typos or Mistakes in Closing Paperwork

Something as minor as a misspelled name or incorrect address number can delay the closing of your home for days or weeks. It is important to carefully review all of the paperwork well in advance of the closing date. Review your closing disclosure for any inaccurate information, typos, or vague language. 

Also, look through your loan estimate and double-check the loan and down payment amounts, interest rates, and all other information. You do not want to find out about a problem for the first time on your closing date.

Title Issues That Were Not Previously Discovered

Legal judgments, liens, or bankruptcies prevent a seller from transferring a clear title to the buyer. The importance of ensuring a problem-free title before closing cannot be overstated. After the title company completes a preliminary title report, get a copy and read it carefully. If there are any problems, such as a mechanic's lien or a lawsuit, you will need to get these cleared up before you can buy the house. 

Title insurance protects you in case the title company fails to discover any problems, but this insurance goes into effect on the day of closing. If problems occur before closing, you may be unable to complete the sale.

Things To Double-Check Before a Home Purchase in San Antonio

A home purchase in San Antonio can move quickly once a contract is signed. Still, buyers should slow down before closing. Small issues can become expensive after the sale is final.

Review the seller’s disclosure closely. Texas law usually requires the seller of a single-family residential property to give the buyer a written notice about the condition of the property (Texas Property Code Sec. 5.008). This notice is not the same as an inspection. It only reflects what the seller knows. A buyer should still consider hiring a home inspector.

Buyers should also review the inspection report, survey, title commitment, HOA rules, and closing statement. In San Antonio, buyers may want to look closely at foundation movement, drainage, roof condition, HVAC age, and storm damage. Older homes may have plumbing or electrical concerns.

The final walk-through is just as important. This gives the buyer one last chance to see whether the home is in the expected condition. Check that agreed repairs were made. Make sure appliances that were supposed to stay are still there. Test lights, faucets, toilets, doors, locks, and garage openers.

Should You Ask for Repairs Before a Residential Real Estate Closing?

Buyers often wonder whether they should ask for repairs before closing. The answer depends on the contract, the inspection results, and the cost of the problem. Not every issue is worth a fight. A loose doorknob or paint mark may not justify a delay. A roof leak, foundation issue, unsafe wiring, or plumbing problem may deserve attention.

Repair requests should be clear. A buyer may ask the seller to fix the issue, reduce the sale price, give a repair credit, or agree to another solution. Some sellers agree. Some refuse. Some offer a smaller credit. The outcome often depends on the market and the defect.

Buyers should be careful about rushed repairs. A seller may choose the cheapest option to get the deal closed. For larger issues, a credit or price change may give the buyer more control after closing. Still, lender rules can affect credits, so buyers should ask before assuming a credit will work.

Contact Our Bexar County, TX Real Estate Attorney

Our San Antonio, TX real estate closing lawyer provides dependable legal support and assistance to homebuyers and sellers. Call Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law, at 210-535-0870 to set up your free, confidential consultation today.