Seller Questions

Yes. In North Carolina, only an attorney can conduct a real estate closing — and even when the buyer's attorney is running the closing, sellers benefit significantly from their own legal review. We prepare the deed, review the settlement statement, handle payoff coordination with your mortgage lender, and make sure your proceeds are properly disbursed.

We'll ask you to complete a seller information sheet that covers your mortgage lender details (for payoff requests), how you took title, current marital status, forwarding address, and how you'd like to receive your proceeds. We may also request a copy of your existing title insurance policy if you have one — it can sometimes reduce the buyer's closing costs.

The buyer's closing attorney orders the title search and title insurance. As the seller, your responsibility is to deliver clear, marketable title at closing. If the title search reveals an issue — an old judgment, an unreleased mortgage, an heirship problem — we work with the buyer's attorney to clear it before closing.

The primary documents are the deed (conveying the property to the buyer), the settlement statement (showing where every dollar goes), and a 1099-S form for IRS reporting. Depending on your situation, there may also be an affidavit of title, lien waivers, or a non-foreign affidavit (FIRPTA).

Usually 15 to 30 minutes. Sellers typically sign first, often before the buyer arrives, so you can be in and out quickly. We can also arrange to send documents for signing in advance if you can't attend in person.

It's preferred, but not required. If you can't attend, we can prepare a power of attorney so someone can sign on your behalf, or arrange a mail-away closing where documents are notarized at your location and returned to us. Let us know early so we can coordinate.

We order a payoff statement directly from your lender about a week before closing. The payoff amount — including per-diem interest through the closing date — is taken out of your sale proceeds and wired to the lender. You don't need to do anything except provide us with your lender's contact information.

On the day of closing, after recording, we disburse funds. You can choose to receive your proceeds by wire transfer (recommended — fastest and safest) or by check. Wires typically arrive the same day; checks can be picked up at our office or mailed.

All owners of record must sign the deed. This applies to spouses, business partners, family co-owners, and heirs. If a co-owner cannot attend closing, they will need to sign by power of attorney or by mail-away closing. Let us know your situation early so we can plan accordingly.

Yes, in most cases. North Carolina law gives a non-titled spouse certain marital interests in real property. Even if your spouse isn't on the deed, they will typically need to sign the deed to release those interests at closing. We'll confirm this when we review your file.

Inherited property closings require additional documentation. Depending on the situation, we may need a copy of the will, letters testamentary, the death certificate, or in some cases a probate-related affidavit. The earlier you let us know, the more smoothly we can handle clearing title from the deceased owner to you and then to the buyer.

Possibly — but we're not your tax advisor. You'll receive a 1099-S reporting the gross sale price to the IRS. Whether you owe capital gains tax depends on your basis, how long you owned the property, whether it was your primary residence, and other factors. Please consult your CPA or tax preparer before closing if you have questions.

The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) requires the buyer's settlement agent to withhold a percentage of the sale price from non-U.S. seller proceeds for the IRS. The amount and exemptions are situation-specific. If you're a foreign seller, please let us know as early as possible so we can coordinate properly with the buyer's attorney.

Wire fraud in real estate closings is a serious and growing threat. Criminals impersonate attorneys, realtors, or lenders and send fake wiring instructions. Our office will never email you a change in wiring instructions. If you receive any email or call claiming our wiring information has changed, hang up and call us directly at (910) 671-0404 to verify.

Yes. Most of our communication with realtors handles itself — they request status updates and we provide them. You're welcome to be copied on all correspondence, or step back and let us coordinate with your agent directly. Just let us know your preference.