Closing day! Just hearing those words brings up images of signing papers, shaking hands, and finally getting the keys to your brand-new Sunrise home. It’s the culmination of months of decisions, design choices, and construction milestones! But before you grab the key fob and pop the champagne, there’s a final stage that requires a few more moments of precision.

At Sunrise Homes, we believe that confidence comes from clarity. Moving beyond the excitement of the sale, the final steps are all about ensuring every promise has been met and that you have a clear understanding of your financial and logistical future. To help you prepare, we’ve put together an essential new home closing checklist, focusing on everything from the final inspection to the complex topic of understanding Mississippi and Louisiana taxes and proration. We want your experience to be seamless and rewarding, which is why we've answered the top questions we hear from buyers. This is our helpful guide on what to ask before closing on a new home to make sure you’re ready for the big day!

Understanding the numbers is critical before you sign. The federal government requires you to receive and review your Closing Disclosure document (CD) at least three business days before closing. This document is the ultimate ledger, detailing every cost and fee associated with your mortgage and the sale.

The area that often causes the most confusion is proration. Simply put, proration is the process of dividing ongoing expenses between you (the buyer) and the seller (Sunrise Homes) based on the exact day of closing. Common prorated costs include property taxes, HOA fees, and any prepaid utility costs. For instance, if the seller already paid the annual property taxes for the entire year, you will owe them a pro-rated amount covering the days you own the home. Conversely, if taxes are paid in arrears, the seller will owe you a credit for the days they owned the property before closing.

Actionable Check: Ask your title agent to walk you through the proration section line by line. Confirm the amounts are correct and ensure you are credited for any prepaid costs the seller may have covered. Don’t hesitate to ask for a detailed explanation until you feel fully confident about where every dollar is going.

For new construction, the quality assurance process is highly structured, and the last milestone is the Final Walkthrough New Construction Checklist. You’ll have already completed a New Home Orientation with Sunrise Homes, where a "Punch List" was created and a copy provided for you. This list details minor cosmetic corrections or incomplete work—things like paint touch-ups, a door that sticks, or minor landscaping adjustments.

The purpose of the final walkthrough is to confirm that the work is finished and the home is immaculate. This walk-through typically occurs 24 to 48 hours before closing, which gives the construction team time to remove all final construction debris and ensures that every single item on that Punch List has been completed to your satisfaction. You should never close on a home until the work is complete.

Actionable Check: Use your walk-through time to carefully verify every item is fixed and that the home is clean, complete, and ready for move-in.

One of the biggest advantages of buying new is the peace of mind that comes with a robust new home warranty coverage system. Unlike buying a resale home, which relies on potentially costly inspections and unknown wear and tear, your Sunrise home comes with a superior new home warranty backed by the industry leader, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.

In our local market, not every new builder offers this level of coverage. Our dedication to your family's lasting satisfaction means we provide a clear, layered protection plan that exceeds requirements.

• 1 Year (Workmanship and Materials): This covers smaller, non-structural elements like drywall, paint, trim, and minor component defects.
• 2 Years (Major Systems): This is where you find coverage for the home's crucial systems, including the plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. These are the components that keep your home running smoothly.
• 10 Years (Major Structural Defects): This is the biggest layer of protection, covering major structural flaws in the foundation, framing, and load-bearing elements.

Actionable Check: Ask your sales team for the full, detailed 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty document. More importantly, ask what specific, routine maintenance (such as replacing HVAC filters or seasonal system checks) is required on your part to keep the 2-year and 10-year portions of your new home warranty valid. Failing to perform this basic maintenance can void your coverage!

This is a key logistical detail often overlooked in the closing excitement. Utilities—including gas, water, electricity, waste collection, and internet/cable—do not automatically transfer upon closing. They need to be manually scheduled to be switched into your name, typically one day after the closing date.

We want your move-in to be seamless, which is why we ensure all necessary utilities are active for your New Home Orientation, allowing us to test all appliances and systems before closing. For your convenience, your Sunrise Homes team will provide you with a comprehensive contact list of all local utility and service providers for the home.

Please note that we do not set up services like internet or cable; this is your responsibility to schedule.

Actionable Check: Please make sure to contact the providers on the list provided by your Sunrise Homes team and schedule the transfer of services into your name. We recommend you call and schedule these services to be turned on in your name 1–2 weeks before your move-in date to ensure everything is functioning on day one, especially your climate control systems!

Builders often partner with a "Preferred Lender" for a reason. These lenders are experts in new construction timelines, meaning they understand the process and can better streamline the closing, reducing the chance of last-minute financial surprises.

The advantage for you is often exclusive financial incentives. Ask specifically what incentives you unlock by using our Builder Preferred Lender. These incentives often include:

• Closing Cost Credits: Reducing the amount of cash you need to bring to the table.
• Mortgage Rate Buydowns: Temporarily or permanently lowering your interest rate.

Actionable Check: Connect with our Preferred Lender right away! Ask them to clearly outline the full scope of financial incentives and specialized support you receive by partnering with them. This proactive step ensures you capture all possible savings and benefit from their expert, streamlined guidance on new construction financing. The convenience and specialized knowledge of the builder’s team, combined with any promotions, often make the preferred route the best choice.

The stack of papers you sign on closing day is impressive, but only a handful are truly vital for your records. Knowing which ones to keep saves you from digging through boxes later.

Actionable Check: Ensure you walk away with copies of the following mandatory documents:

• The final, signed Closing Disclosure (CD).
• The Deed (proving ownership—this document will be recorded in the public record).
• The Promissory Note (your promise to repay the loan).
• The Mortgage or Deed of Trust (the security instrument tying the loan to the property).

These are essential for future resale, insurance, and tax filings, so file them safely and securely.

While we strive for predictable timelines, the path to closing is not always straight. Construction schedules can be affected by weather or supply chain fluctuations, and loan underwriting can sometimes be delayed.

Actionable Check: If there is any concern about your interest rate lock expiring, ask your lender how long they can guarantee your current rate. Then, ask your Sunrise Homes team what contingency steps are in place if the closing date needs to shift beyond your locked period. This proactive communication ensures you have a backup plan to protect your financing.

Confidence in closing comes from transparency and preparation. At Sunrise Homes, our long history in Louisiana and Mississippi means we have refined the closing process to be as seamless and rewarding as possible. We’re here to guide you through every essential step.

Ready to connect with a team that has your best interests at heart? Contact the Sunrise Homes team today to schedule an appointment and let us walk you through these essential steps, ensuring you secure a hassle-free closing and begin life in your beautiful new home!