Reviewing closing documents prior to closing

[Matt Donley]

I'm recalling the pressure I felt while reviewing the mortgage and closing documents at the table when I purchased my first home. What seemed like hundreds of documents requiring signatures and initials, which realistically would take a solid weekend of focused reading to not only get through but to understand. Instead, my eyes were glazed over while someone summarized over my shoulder "Oh, that's just required by the state.....", "These pages aren't important, just look at the summary on this page.", "This just says that you're not going to sue us if blah blah blah". I threw trust to the wind and signed away. I guess everything worked out, we lived there for five years and just recently sold that house.

Is it unreasonable to request the closing documents to review before the actual closing? I've never heard of this before, but it seems like a basic request. I'd prefer to review in private, without any pressure, just to make sure I understand everything without everyone standing over my shoulder.