
A dry settlement or closing occurs typically when documents have been signed but all funds are not accounted for. Dry settlements are not legal and can cause many problems.
What is'dry closing'?
What is 'Dry Closing'. A dry closing is a type of real estate closing in which the entire closing requirements are fulfilled except the disbursement of funds. In a dry closing, all involved parties agree that the closing can still happen and the funds are transferred as soon as possible following the closing.
What is a wet funding or dry closing?
These wet funding states also require that all paperwork needed to close the loan be completed and approved the day the loan closes. Other states allow financial institutions and real estate professionals to opt for a dry closing if they’d prefer as a means to confirm that a home purchase is legally complete prior to funds changing hands.
When to use a dry closing for a real estate transaction?
Key Takeaways 1 A dry closing occurs when funds aren’t available for disbursement as the loan documents are being signed. 2 Dry closings can be used to close a real estate transaction with the expectation that the loan will be funded within four business days. 3 Most states don’t allow dry closings.
What is the difference between wet and dry closing?
Dry Vs. Wet Funding By State Some states require wet closings (known as wet funding states) and mandate that sellers are to receive funding at the time of closing or within up to 48 hours thereafter. These wet funding states also require that all paperwork needed to close the loan be completed and approved the day the loan closes.

What is the difference between a wet and dry closing?
In a wet closing, the entire transaction is completed all at once, or while the ink is still “wet.” A dry closing, meanwhile, may mean that all the documentation has been signed but needs to be reviewed. Since it can take up to four days for this to occur and for funds to be disbursed, this gives the ink time to “dry.”
What does a dry loan mean?
A dry loan is a type of mortgage where the funds are supplied by the lender only after all of the required sale and loan documentation has been completed and reviewed. The opposite of a dry mortgage is a wet mortgage. Whether mortgage loans are “dry” or “wet” is governed by state law.
What is the difference between a wet and dry state?
Are Dry Closings Legal? Dry closings are only legal in certain states, as most require wet closings. Those states that don't allow for dry closings are known as wet funding states and mandate that sellers receive funding at the time of closing or within 48 hours thereafter.
What does dry funding mean?
“Dry funding”: On the day of loan closing, all parties get together to sign mortgage documents, but all of the paperwork required to officially close the loan doesn't have to be completed at that time. Most importantly, no mortgage funds are distributed to the seller on that day.
What is a wet settlement?
You referred to a "wet settlement." This is a term of art that means that when a person goes to settlement, the lender's funds must be on the table. Compare this to a "dry settlement," in which there is no money available at the closing.
What does dry collateral mean?
Dry Collateral Usage means that percentage of Eligible Collateral calculated by dividing the aggregate Collateral Value of all Dry Loans by the sum of the aggregate Collateral Value of all Eligible Collateral less the aggregate Collateral Value of all Servicing Under Contract for Sale, Servicing Held for Bulk Sale and ...
What states are dry states?
Three states—Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee—are entirely dry by default: counties specifically must authorize the sale of alcohol in order for it to be legal and subject to state liquor control laws. Alabama specifically allows cities and counties to elect to go dry by public referendum.
What is the meaning of dry state?
Dry days. Dry Days in India are specific days when the sale of alcohol is prohibited in the states which otherwise allow sale and consumption of alcohol. Dry Days are fixed by the respective state government.
Is Texas a dry or wet closing state?
Wet loans are permitted in all states except Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. 1 States that have wet-settlement laws require lending banks to disburse funds within a certain period.
What is a dry close in private equity?
A dry close is when a private equity firm raises money for a fund early on in the cycle, but then agrees to not levy any management fees on the money raised from its Limited Partners until it actually begins investing the fund.
What happens after a loan is funded?
Funding is the disbursing or wiring of money from your lender to your title or escrow company to pay for the home you're purchasing. Closing occurs once the local government records the lien against your property, and the transfer of ownership if applicable.
What is a wet loan?
Nevada. Washington. Wet Funding is a mortgage loan origination where closing and funds are supplied once loan documents have been signed by the borrower(s). Funds will be supplied on owner occupied refinance transaction once the right of rescission has passed. Wet Funding States.
What is a wet loan?
A wet loan is a mortgage in which the funds realize at—or with the completion of—a loan application. Submission of other required documentation for closing the property, such as surveys and title searches, happens after the dispersion of funds.
Is Texas a wet or dry state?
Of Texas' 254 counties, 5 are completely dry, 196 are partially dry, and 55 are entirely wet. The vast majority of entirely wet counties are in southern border regions of Texas near Mexico, or in the south central portion. Alcohol law in Texas varies significantly by location.
What is a dry close in private equity?
A dry close is when a private equity firm raises money for a fund early on in the cycle, but then agrees to not levy any management fees on the money raised from its Limited Partners until it actually begins investing the fund.
Is Colorado a wet or dry state?
Colorado is a “wet funding” state, which means that the rules and regulations in place are far stricter than in “dry funding” states. Wet funding states require that all of the paperwork that's needed to officially close the loan have to be completed and approved on the day of the loan closing.
What is a wet settlement?
You referred to a "wet settlement." This is a term of art that means that when a person goes to settlement, the lender's funds must be on the table.
Which states have wet settlement laws?
Many jurisdictions, including Maryland, Virginia and the District, have enacted "wet settlement" acts. The laws differ from state to state.
How long does a settlement attorney have to disburse funds?
In the District, on the other hand, the settlement attorney must disburse all funds within one business day after the closing takes place . If there are legitimate reasons for delay, not caused by the settlement agent, full disclosure must be provided to the seller.
Does Maryland require a settlement agent to fund a settlement?
In Maryland, the emphasis is on the lender, and not the settlement agent. Lenders must fund a residential settlement no later than the day that closing takes place. Presumably, this will not give the settlement company any excuses not to promptly disburse all settlement proceeds.
What is a wet settlement?
That all parties have executed appropriate closing documents and the settlement agent is in possession of all funds. At this point, the settlement agent is able to record the applicable deed and/or deed of trust.
What is a settlement agent?
Not only is a settlement agent responsible for prepping appropriate closing documents for the buyer and seller and working with the lender to execute any loan documents, but the agent is also responsible for maintaining an escrow account and keeping impeccable records.
What is the fiduciary duty of a settlement agent?
Settlement agents act as stewards of millions of dollars of funds on a daily basis and that’s not to be taken lightly.
What is a closing in real estate?
What is a real estate closing? A real estate closing occurs when the seller has signed the deed conveying the property to the buyer, all parties have signed the final settlement statement, and the settlement company is in possession of all closing funds. If one of these items is missing, the deal is not closed.
What is the difference between wet and dry funding?
Wet funding states require that all mortgage funds are distributed at the close of sale, along with all other necessary paperwork , such as escrow conditions and signed loan paperwork . Dry funding states require that all funds are distributed after the close of sale ...
Which states allow wet and dry funding?
States like Alaska and California allow for both wet and dry funding, but the real estate agents themselves decide on which to ultimately use. Dry funding is often preferred by real estate agents because it does not require the real estate agent to be on record in specific counties before disbursing. Dry funding also makes it much easier ...
Why don't new real estate agents like wet funding?
New real estate agents typically don’t like wet funding because these strict requirements can be a significant barrier to garnering quick experience.
What are some examples of wet funding states?
Example of a Wet Funding State. Virginia is an example of a wet funding state. The “Old Dominion” state requires that an authorized settlement agent completes a number of procedures, including home inspections, title write-ups, and preparing settlement statements. Once this work is completed funding can be distributed and a house can be closed.
Is it important to know which states are wet and dry?
Wet and dry funding states can be tricky whether you’re new to real estate or are an experienced agent. Wet and dry states impact your bottom line which is why it is important to know which states are wet, which are dry and where you may want to focus your business. If all of this seems confusing, don’t worry.
Can wet funding be distributed?
Once this work is completed funding can be distributed and a house can be closed. Stringent requirements also mandate that the money is cleared and all wire transfers are received before disbursements are made. Additionally, wet funding states like Virginia require that real estate agents be on record in the county before they can disburse funds for the sale of a home.
How long does it take to get a loan after a dry closing?
The time required to disburse mortgage funds during a dry closing can vary; some loans may be funded the next business day, but it can take up to four days to receive your funds. 1
What does "wet closing" mean?
A wet closing, meanwhile, must ensure that the entire transaction is completed all at once; this tight timeline means the transaction is closed while the ink is still “wet.” 1
Is dry funding more flexible than wet funding?
Dry funding can be more flexible than wet funding since the entire transaction can be completed over multiple days.
What Is A Dry Closing In Real Estate?
A dry closing is a type of closing where funds are disbursed a few business days after the documents are completed and mortgage lender requirements are satisfied. For this to happen, all parties involved in the transaction must agree that the closing can take place and that the documentation will be signed with the understanding that funds will be forthcoming.
What is dry closing?
In effect, a dry closing is a form of real estate closing in which all requirements are met except for the actual disbursement of funds. Put simply, it allows for closing on a home (completion of the sale and purchase transaction) to occur even though payment has not been made yet.
Why Does Dry Closing Occur?
Dry closings exist to keep deals progressing and provide an added layer of assurance that transactions are valid and legal . Slowing the transfer of funds down provides the closing agent with additional time to resolve any issues and gives the lender extra time to collect closing costs. To facilitate dry funding, all parties gather together when the loan closes to sign mortgage documents. However, no mortgage funds are provided to the seller at this time. Borrowers may favor this option, but sellers and REALTORs ® typically like to see money in hand at a closing (a “wet” closing) as it allows transactions to be completed upon payment.
How long does it take for a seller to receive wet funding?
Some states require wet closings (known as wet funding states) and mandate that sellers are to receive funding at the time of closing or within up to 48 hours thereafter . These wet funding states also require that all paperwork needed to close the loan be completed and approved the day the loan closes.
Why do we need dry closings?
Dry closings exist as a way to keep deals progressing and provide an added layer of assurance that transactions are valid and legal. Slowing the transfer of funds down provides additional time in which to resolve any issues and ensure that no problems are encountered.
Which states allow wet or dry funding?
New Mexico. Oregon. Washington. Note that select states including Alaska and California allow you to select either wet or dry funding, though real estate agents involved in the transaction will ultimately decide which form of funding will be used.
Do all parties to a transaction need to agree to a dry closing?
All parties involved in the transaction must agree that the closing can take place (and need to sign other closing documentation with the understanding that funds will be forthcoming shortly) in order for a dry closing to occur.
Why do we need dry funding?
Basically, dry funding is an added layer of consumer protection to help ensure the legality of the transaction. Because the closing process is slower, and funds aren’t disbursed right at the closing table, there’s added time to help ensure that there aren’t any issues.
What is wet funding?
All other states are “wet funding.”. · “ Wet funding ”: Much stricter than dry funding, wet funding requires that all of the paperwork needed to officially close the loan must be completed and approved on the exact day of loan closing. With wet funding, the seller receives funds on the loan closing date or within two days thereafter.
