When sellers actually get paid after closing in Florida and Georgia, what comes out of your proceeds, and what can delay your money.
In most home sales, you get money after selling a house at or shortly after closing, once the deed is signed, the buyer's funds are in, and the title company or closing attorney pays you by wire transfer or check. If the buyer is using a loan, your payout waits on the lender to fund; if the buyer is paying cash, there is no lender in the way.
That is the short answer. Below, we walk through how the payout actually works in Florida and Georgia, what comes out of your proceeds before you see a dime, and what can slow things down.
The money from a sale doesn't come from the buyer straight to you. It flows through a neutral third party, usually a title company in Florida or a closing attorney in Georgia. That office collects the buyer's money, pays off everything owed on the property, and then sends you what's left.
You generally get paid once three things are done:
When those boxes are checked, many sellers receive their funds the same day or within a business day or two. Exact timing depends on the closing office, the buyer's lender, and when in the day you close. Ask your title company or closing attorney up front when they expect to send your funds so there are no surprises.
The basic idea is the same in both states, but who runs the closing is different.
In Florida, most closings, including here in Palm Bay and across Brevard County, are handled by a title company, though some sellers use a real estate attorney. The title company checks for liens, prepares the settlement paperwork, and sends out the money.
In Georgia, a licensed attorney conducts real estate closings. In metro Atlanta, you or the buyer will pick a closing attorney who handles the title work, the paperwork, and the disbursement of funds.
In either state, you can usually choose how you want to be paid. Common options are:
One important warning: wire fraud is a real risk in real estate. Before you give anyone your bank details, call your title company or closing attorney at a phone number you already know is theirs, not one from an email, and confirm the instructions out loud.
The number on the purchase contract is not the number that lands in your account. Before you're paid, the closing office pays off what's owed and subtracts your share of the costs. Common deductions include:
All of this is listed on your seller's closing statement, sometimes called a settlement statement or seller's closing disclosure. Read it before closing day. If a number looks wrong or you don't understand a line, ask the closing office to explain it. If you have questions about taxes on the sale, talk to a CPA.
Most delays come from one of these:
If you're selling an inherited house, a house in probate, or a property with known title issues, talk to a real estate attorney or title company early. It is much easier to fix problems before closing than at the closing table.
How you sell has a big effect on when you get paid. Here's a simple side-by-side.
| Listing with an agent | Selling by owner | Selling to a cash buyer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to find a buyer | Weeks to months | Weeks to months | Usually days |
| Lender involved? | Usually | Usually | No |
| Repairs before closing | Often needed | Often needed | None, sold as-is |
| Commissions deducted | Yes | Possibly a buyer's agent fee | None |
| Main risk to your payout | Buyer's loan falls through | Buyer's loan falls through | Fewer moving parts |
| Who controls closing date | Negotiated with buyer | Negotiated with buyer | You pick |
A cash offer is usually lower than full market value, because the buyer is taking on repairs, holding costs and risk. If your house is in good shape and you have time, listing with a good agent will often put more money in your pocket, even if you wait longer to get it. If you need a sure closing on a date you choose, or the house needs work a lender won't accept, a cash sale can be the simpler path.
Chief Investment Properties is a direct cash home buyer based in Palm Bay. We buy houses, rentals and land as-is in Brevard County and metro Atlanta. We're not a brokerage, so there's no listing, no commissions and no repairs.
Here's how payment works with us:
Because there's no buyer's lender, there's no loan approval or appraisal to wait on before closing. You can see what that looks like for your property on our sell your property page. And if the house you're selling is a rental you're tired of managing, our guide on selling an unwanted rental property in Florida covers your options.
Usually once the deed is signed, the buyer's funds are received, and payoffs are handled. Many sellers are paid the same day or within a business day or two. Your title company or closing attorney can tell you their exact timing.
The title company or closing attorney sends your net proceeds, usually by wire transfer or check. Always confirm wire instructions by phone using a number you already trust.
Your mortgage payoff, any liens, commissions, closing costs, prorated taxes and any credits to the buyer come out first. Your seller's closing statement shows every deduction line by line.
A cash sale still closes through a title company or attorney, so you're paid the same way. The difference is there's no lender to fund, which removes one of the most common causes of delay.
They're both documents that show the money in and out of the sale. The name and format can vary by closing office. Ask yours to walk you through it before you sign.
Want a fair cash offer for your property? Get one here
We buy houses, rentals and land as-is, for cash, in Brevard County and metro Atlanta. No commissions, no repairs, no lender delays — and you pick the closing date.
Request My Cash OfferDisclaimer: This article is general information and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Please confirm details with a licensed real estate professional or attorney in your state.