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The Summer Settlement Surge: Avoiding Closing Delays During Peak Season

Summer is traditionally one of the busiest seasons in real estate. Families want to move before the new school year, buyers are eager to settle before vacations end, and agents often find themselves juggling multiple transactions at once. While the market activity can be exciting, the increased pace also creates more opportunities for delays at the settlement table.

As a settlement attorney, I often see the same issues arise during the summer rush. Fortunately, many of these problems can be avoided with proactive communication and early preparation.

One of the most common causes of delay is scheduling conflicts. Buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, and even attorneys are frequently traveling during the summer months. A client may be at the beach when loan documents need to be signed, or a seller may be out of the country during the week of closing. These issues can create last-minute scrambling if they are not identified early in the transaction. Asking clients about planned vacations at the beginning of the contract period can help avoid unpleasant surprises later.

Another frequent issue is lender timing. Summer volume can place significant pressure on underwriting departments, appraisers, and closing teams. Even well-qualified buyers may encounter delays if requested documentation is not submitted promptly. Encouraging clients to respond quickly to lender requests, even while traveling, can make a major difference in keeping a transaction on schedule.

Condominium and HOA transactions can also become bottlenecks during peak season. In Maryland and DC, resale packages, questionnaires, and association approvals often take longer during the summer due to increased transaction volume and reduced staffing. Ordering these documents as early as possible is one of the easiest ways to avoid settlement delays.

Wire fraud remains another concern, particularly during busy months when everyone is moving quickly. Fraudsters often take advantage of rushed communication and distracted parties. Clients should always be reminded to verify wire instructions by telephone using a trusted number before sending funds. A simple verification call can prevent a devastating loss.

Finally, communication remains the most valuable tool in any successful closing. Transactions move more smoothly when all parties, including agents, lenders, attorneys, title professionals, and clients, communicate early and often. Setting realistic expectations and identifying potential issues before the week of closing can reduce stress for everyone involved.

The summer market may feel fast-paced, but successful settlements rarely happen by accident. They are usually the result of preparation, responsiveness, and teamwork behind the scenes.

As we move through another busy summer season, a little extra planning can go a long way toward ensuring that clients make it to the settlement table on time and with far less stress.

About the author (drafted with the assistance of AI): Erin August is an Attorney in the Real Estate Department at Shulman Rogers, P.A. She was born in Washington, DC and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she resides with her husband and son.

About Shulman Rogers
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