Closing Day Is Simpler Than Buyers Expect — If Everything Was Done Right First
By the time closing day arrives on a Myrtle Beach home, most of the important work is already behind you. The inspections are complete, the financing is cleared, the title is examined, and the numbers are locked in on the Closing Disclosure. Closing day itself is the ceremony that transfers ownership — most of it is signing, wiring, and handing over keys.
Here is what actually happens on a typical Grand Strand closing day, in the order it happens.
The Days Leading Up: What Should Be Locked In
By 24–48 hours before closing, buyers and sellers should have:
- Final Closing Disclosure reviewed and approved (buyers get this three business days before closing on most loans)
- Wire instructions from the closing attorney — always confirmed by phone at a number you looked up independently
- Homeowner's insurance policy bound, with proof sent to the lender
- Utilities scheduled to transfer on the correct date
- Certified funds or wire coordinated for closing costs and down payment
Sellers should have:
- Payoff statements delivered to the closing attorney
- Any agreed-upon repairs completed with paid invoices ready
- Home cleaned and empty (unless a post-closing occupancy agreement was signed)
- Keys, garage door openers, warranties, and appliance manuals ready to hand over
The Final Walk-Through
Usually scheduled 24 hours before closing (sometimes the morning of), the buyer walks through the property with their agent to confirm:
- The home is in the agreed-upon condition
- Included appliances and fixtures are still present
- Agreed-upon repairs were completed
- No new damage occurred during the seller's move-out
- Systems (HVAC, water, electric) are working
If something is off, this is when to raise it — not at the closing table. Most walk-through issues can be handled with a small credit or a hold-back agreement documented before signing.
The Wire Transfer
South Carolina is an attorney closing state. The closing attorney's trust account is where the buyer's funds land and where the seller's proceeds come from. Buyers wire their cash to close to the attorney the morning of closing (or the day before).
Wire fraud is a real threat on Grand Strand transactions. Two rules:
- Never trust wire instructions received by email. Always call the closing attorney at a number you looked up independently (not from the email) to verify the account and routing numbers before wiring
- Never wire funds to instructions that changed at the last minute — that is almost always a scam
The closing attorney sends the seller the payoff to their existing mortgage and, once everything is signed and recorded, wires the net proceeds to the seller.
The Signing
Most Grand Strand closings happen at the closing attorney's office. Buyers and sellers can sign together, sign separately (staggered by an hour or two), or handle it as a mail-away signing if one party is out of state.
Buyers sign:
- Loan documents (promissory note, mortgage, disclosures)
- Closing Disclosure and settlement statement
- Deed acknowledgment
- Title-related documents including title insurance policies
- Any state-required disclosures
Sellers sign:
- The deed transferring the property
- Settlement statement
- Payoff acknowledgment
- Any state-required forms
Signing typically takes 30–60 minutes per side. The attorney or their paralegal walks each document line by line — do not rush it.
Recording and Funding
Once both sides sign, the attorney records the deed and mortgage with the Horry or Georgetown County Register of Deeds, then funds the transaction. Sellers usually see their proceeds by wire the same day or the next morning. Buyers get the keys once recording is confirmed — sometimes at the table, sometimes later in the day.
What About Out-of-State Buyers?
Mail-away signings are common on the Grand Strand. The closing attorney overnights a signing packet, the buyer signs in front of a notary at their home or a local title company, and returns the documents. Everything else happens the same way. Plan two to three business days for shipping.
Buyers relocating from out of state should also read our post on moving to Myrtle Beach from the Northeast for the everyday adjustments that come after closing day, and our overview of your first 30 days after closing on a Grand Strand home.
What Can Delay a Closing?
Delays usually trace to one of:
- Loan conditions not cleared in time — the lender wanted one more document
- Title issues discovered late — an old lien, an heir who did not sign, an easement that needs a fix
- Insurance binder issues on coastal properties
- Payoff statement problems on the seller side
- Walk-through findings that need resolution
Most delays run a day or two, not a week. Both sides usually cooperate to keep it moving. Our overview of the South Carolina due diligence process covers the earlier windows where these issues are usually caught.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do buyer and seller have to be in the same room?
No. Sellers and buyers frequently sign separately in Grand Strand closings, either at different times the same day or on different days entirely. Everyone still signs the same documents; the attorney coordinates the timing.
What do buyers need to bring to closing?
Valid government photo ID (usually a driver's license or passport), and confirmation of the wire transfer (or a certified check if you did not wire). Most other documents were signed digitally or during earlier phases and are already in the file.
When does the buyer get the keys?
Usually right after recording is confirmed with the county — often at the closing table, sometimes later in the day. If sellers are doing a short post-closing occupancy (occasional on the Grand Strand), keys transfer on the date specified in the occupancy agreement.
Are attorney fees paid by the buyer or seller?
In South Carolina, the buyer typically pays for the closing attorney and title services because the attorney represents the buyer's lender and title interest. Sellers usually pay for their own separate attorney if they choose to hire one, though many use the same closing firm.
Key Takeaways
Closing day on a Myrtle Beach home is the day everything comes together — walk-through, wire, signing, recording, keys. In South Carolina, it happens through an attorney's office, and the process is well-established. Buyers who prepare the wire correctly (with verified instructions), review the Closing Disclosure ahead of time, and hold the final walk-through with intention almost always have a boring closing day. Boring is the goal.
About Greg Harrelson
Greg Harrelson is a seasoned Realtor® with more than 30 years of experience serving the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand markets. As the founder of Century 21 The Harrelson Group, Greg has built his career helping buyers, sellers, and investors achieve success in every corner of the coastal Carolina real estate market. His expertise spans residential homes, investment properties, land development, and coastal condos. Known for his deep local knowledge, innovative marketing strategies, and commitment to personal service, Greg consistently helps clients reach their real estate goals while navigating the ever-changing market with confidence and precision.
