“Clear to close” is the lender’s green light. It means underwriting has reviewed and approved everything — income, appraisal, title, insurance, and any outstanding conditions — and the loan is ready to move to closing. Once a file is clear to close, the lender prepares the Closing Disclosure (which must reach the buyer at least three business days before signing), and the title and escrow company schedules the signing, finalizes the figures, and prepares the documents to be signed and recorded. Clear to close doesn’t mean funded yet — signing, any final lender review, funding, and recording still follow — but it’s the milestone that tells everyone the closing is imminent.