Recording
Filing the deed and mortgage with the county after closing so ownership and the loan are public record. Recording puts the world on notice.
Every term like this one lights up in the step you're on.
Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
Recording is the county stamping the deed into the public record, and it is the moment most states treat as the sale being done. Proceeds are usually released after it, not before.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
The deed goes to the county recorder at 1 p.m. and records at 2:40. Your escrow officer releases your proceeds at 3.
| The step | What has happened |
|---|---|
| Deed signed and notarized | Ready to record; nothing public yet |
| Deed recorded | Ownership is public record; the sale is done |
| Proceeds disbursed | Usually right after recording, once funds are confirmed |
Recording is the finish line. Everything before it is preparation.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That the home is sold when you sign. It is sold when the deed records, which can be later the same day or, in some states, days after.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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