What to Expect on Your Home's Closing Day

Closing day for a new Caruso home includes a final walkthrough, final paperwork, and, for most buyers, the exciting moment you receive your keys! The exact process depends on whether you purchased a production home or built through Build On Your Lot. Knowing what happens during the walkthrough and how warranty support begins can help you arrive prepared and enjoy the final step in your homebuilding experience. Here’s what you can look forward to on closing day:

Complete Your PSO and Final Walkthrough

Several days before your scheduled closing day, you will complete a Pre-Settlement Orientation (PSO) in your finished home. This is your opportunity to inspect every room with our construction manager and make note of any deficiencies that need to be addressed before settlement. The PSO is also your opportunity to get comfortable with your completed Caruso home before you receive the keys. Team Caruso will walk through the home with you to verify everything is working properly and provide demonstrations on how to operate and maintain your new home. 

OurPre-Settlement Orientation checklist includes:

• Inspection of each room in the home
• Demonstration of major home systems and appliances
• Basic maintenance information – things you are responsible for when maintaining a new home
• Review of warranty procedures and your homeowner manual
• Emergency guidelines and trade contact information you may need later
• Meter readings needed for transfer of utilities into homeowner name

Caruso brings in an independent third party to inspect every home before closing, giving buyers an extra layer of quality assurance before move-in. As part of Facing Reality (one of our core values), 100% of the items identified during that inspection are completed before closing, or the home doesn’t close, so you can feel confident your home has been thoroughly reviewed before settling in.

Your Pre-Settlement Orientation is also the last of four milestone meetings included in The Caruso Experience. Each meeting gives you regular opportunities to review progress and ask questions throughout construction. 

“Use the PSO to ask us to show you anything you are unsure about. We want to leave knowing you are comfortable with how your home works and who to contact if anything comes up later.” - Shane Sullivan, Corporate Production Manager at Caruso Homes

On the morning of your closing day, you will meet briefly with your Construction Manager at your home to ensure that any deficiencies identified during your PSO were completed.

Sign Your Final Paperwork and Receive Your Keys

What happens next on home closing day depends on which Caruso homebuilding process applies to you. Production-home buyers and Build On Your Lot buyers follow different closing-day steps, so make sure you know where to go, who you’ll meet with, and what paperwork to complete.

Knowing which process applies to your home should be one of the first items on your closing day checklist.

Closing Day for a Production Home

If you purchased a production home, you’ll complete your final walkthrough first. You’ll then go to the settlement company in Maryland or Pennsylvania, or the closing attorney in North Carolina or Delaware, to sign your settlement and mortgage paperwork before receiving your keys.

Key Exchange Day for a Build On Your Lot Home

If you’re a Build On Your Lot buyer, your construction-to-permanent loan closes before construction begins. We call the final appointment for your completed home “Key Exchange” day. You’ll complete the walkthrough with our team, sign the remaining final paperwork, and receive your keys.

“I could not have asked for a better experience in building my home. At final walkthrough, my Construction Manager showed me all my systems–water, HVAC, sprinkler, etc. and even labeled and made notes of how to maintain them.” - The Corregan Ditman Family, Happy Caruso Customers

What to Bring to Closing or Key Exchange

What you need to bring depends on whether you’re completing a traditional closing or a Build On Your Lot Key Exchange.

For production-home buyers, follow the instructions provided by your lender and settlement professional. 

Depending on your transaction, you may be asked to bring:

• Government-issued photo identification
• Outstanding documents requested before settlement
• Proof of homeowners insurance
• Closing funds in the payment form specified for your transaction

For Build On Your Lot buyers, your construction-to-permanent loan was already settled before construction began. We’ll let you know what, if anything, you need to bring for Key Exchange and any remaining final paperwork.

Know What Happens After You Get the Keys

Our new home warranty coverage begins at closing, so our support continues after you move in. We provide warranty protection through Residential Warranty Company (RWC), a national third-party warranty provider that adds another layer of protection for Caruso homeowners.

Coverage generally includes qualifying items related to:

• Materials and workmanship
• Original installation of plumbing and electrical systems
• Original installation of heating and cooling systems
• Major structural components

Your warranty documents provide the exact terms and coverage details for your home. You’ll also have access to our dedicated warranty team and homeowner portal, where you can submit warranty requests and request your 10-month inspection.

The myNoviHome app remains a helpful resource after move-in, too. The app that keeps you connected through the build also gives you a familiar place for punch-list tracking and warranty requests after closing.

With your warranty resources and our team still available after closing, you’ll know exactly where to go whenever you have a question about your new home.

Enjoy Your Closing Day With Caruso Homes

As closing day approaches, review the instructions from your Caruso team and confirm anything you still need to bring or complete. With the final details covered ahead of time, you can spend less time wondering what comes next and more time looking forward to moving in.

Buying a new home is a big move, and we want to make the final steps as easy as possible. Let our team be your guide to Closing Day!

Closing Day FAQs

What happens on closing day for a new construction home?

Caruso production-home buyers complete their final walkthrough before signing settlement and mortgage paperwork with the appropriate settlement professional and receiving their keys. Build On Your Lot buyers complete a Key Exchange with the Caruso team because their construction-to-permanent loan was settled before construction began.

Do I need a final walkthrough before closing?

Yes. Caruso's pre-settlement orientation and final walkthrough familiarizes you with your home's systems and features while covering maintenance information and relevant trade contacts.

What does a new home warranty cover after closing?

Caruso's warranty, backed by Residential Warranty Company (RWC), generally covers qualifying defects in materials and workmanship, original installation of plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling systems, and major structural components. Your RWC warranty documents provide the specific coverage terms and exclusions.

What is a 10-month inspection?

The 10-month inspection gives Caruso homeowners an opportunity to request a review as the first year in the home approaches its end. The inspection is requested through the homeowner portal.

When do Build On Your Lot buyers get their keys?

Build On Your Lot buyers receive their keys on Key Exchange day after the home is complete. The appointment includes the final walkthrough and remaining paperwork with Team Caruso.