In many states, closing on a home is a purely administrative task handled by a title company. You sign a few papers, wire the money, and get the keys.

In North Carolina, and specifically in the coastal counties of New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, and Onslow, the process is legally distinct. We are an Approved Attorney State, meaning a licensed attorney must oversee the transaction.

For buyers relocating from Title Company States, this can be a culture shock. But here is the critical insider reality: all NC attorneys are not created equal. Choosing a closing attorney based on the lowest fee—or worse, using an out-of-town mill recommended by a national lender—can be the single biggest risk to your closing timeline.

The "Good Funds" Reality Check

The most common friction point in coastal closings is the North Carolina Good Funds Settlement Act.

Myth: "I signed the papers at 10:00 AM, so I can pick up the keys at 11:00 AM."
Reality: In NC, the closing is not closed until the deed is recorded with the Register of Deeds.

The Coastal Cutoff: Counties like Brunswick and Pender have strict recording cutoffs. If you use a non-local attorney who mails the deed or isn’t set up for e-recording, and that deed arrives at 4:35 PM, the transaction freezes.

The Consequence: No money moves. The seller doesn’t get paid, and you don’t get the keys until the next business day. If this happens on a Friday, you are homeless for the weekend. A local attorney knows exactly when to file so you sleep in your new home that night.

The "Private Road" Pitfall

Drive five minutes off Highway 17 in Hampstead or Bolivia, and you will likely find yourself on a private dirt or gravel road.

The Issue: Lenders—especially VA and FHA—require a recorded Private Road Maintenance Agreement. They need to know who pays to fill the potholes.

The Local Advantage: In rural coastal counties, these agreements often don’t exist. A non-local attorney might miss this requirement until the day before closing, killing your loan. A local attorney knows to look for this on Day 1 and can draft the agreement correctly.

Strategic Nuance: The "Approved" List

When you apply for a mortgage, your lender might try to steer you toward their preferred national provider.

Myth: "I have to use the attorney the bank recommends."
Reality: You have the right to choose your legal representation.

Why It Matters: Mail-away closing mills often operate on volume, not precision. They may not know that Brunswick County requires a specific Attorney Prep Statement on the first page of the deed for e-recording. We have seen closings delayed because a Charlotte firm used the wrong margins on a Holden Beach deed.

Your Next Step

Don’t let a paperwork error leave your moving truck idling in the driveway. You need a legal partner who knows the difference between a Pender County water bill and an Onslow County sewer permit.

Aspyre Realty Group acts as your local navigator. We are experts in listening and communicating people's wants into homes that work for them—and that includes connecting you with attorneys who ensure the keys end up in your hand on time.

Contact Aspyre Realty Group today. Let’s align you with a closing team that knows the coastal rules as well as we do.