How long it takes to close on a house depends largely on your financing. Some closings take 30 days while others take longer to close depending on the loan program and lender. Each loan type involves different requirements, documentation, and approval steps. Here is a breakdown of the average closing time by mortgage type.

The closing process involves multiple parties working simultaneously. Your real estate agent, lender, title company, home inspector, and appraiser all have tasks that must be completed before you can close on a house. Here is what happens during each phase.

Week 1: Offer Accepted and Earnest Money

Once the seller accepts your offer, the clock starts. You typically have 24 to 48 hours to deposit your earnest money into an escrow account. This deposit shows the seller you are serious about the purchase. Most earnest money deposits range from 1% to 3% of the purchase price.

During this first week, your lender begins processing your mortgage application. Submit all requested documents immediately. Tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and employment verification are standard requirements. The faster you respond, the faster your loan moves through underwriting.

Week 1-2: Home Inspection

Schedule your home inspection within the first five to seven days. A licensed inspector examines the property's structure, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, roof, and foundation. The inspection itself takes two to four hours. You typically receive the written report within 24 to 48 hours.

If the inspection reveals problems, you may negotiate repairs with the seller or request a price reduction. This negotiation can add three to seven days to the timeline. Review our home inspection checklist so you know exactly what to expect during this phase.

Week 2-3: Appraisal

Your lender will order a home appraisal to confirm the property is worth the sale price. The loan amount cannot exceed the appraised value. The appraiser visits the property, measures square footage, evaluates condition, and compares it to recent sales of similar homes. The appraisal process takes one to two weeks from the order date to the final report.

A low home appraisal can delay or even derail closing. If the appraisal comes in below the purchase price, the buyer and seller must renegotiate or the buyer must cover the difference out of pocket. This single step causes more closing delays than almost any other.

Week 2-4: Title Search and Insurance

The title or escrow company searches public records to confirm the seller has clear ownership and the property has no liens, judgments, or easements that could affect the transfer. A clean title search takes one to two weeks. Title problems like undisclosed heirs, unpaid taxes, or boundary disputes may take longer and can add weeks to the process.

Title insurance protects the buyer and lender against future title claims. Your title company issues the policy once the search is complete and all issues are resolved.

Week 3-5: Underwriting and Loan Approval

This is where your mortgage lender reviews everything. The underwriter verifies your income, employment, credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and the appraisal report. They may request additional documents or explanations for unusual transactions in your bank accounts.

Do not make any major financial changes during underwriting. Avoid buying a car, opening new credit cards, or changing jobs. Any change to your financial picture can trigger a new review and push back your closing date by days or weeks.

Week 5-6: Clear to Close

Once the underwriter approves your loan, you receive a "clear to close" notification. At this point, the lender prepares your closing disclosure, which details your final loan terms, monthly payment, closing costs, and cash needed at the table. Federal law gives you time to review this document at least three business days before closing. Use this timeline to close any last details.

Review your closing disclosure carefully. Compare every number to your original loan estimate. Ask your real estate agent or lender about any discrepancies before the closing date arrives.

About 25% of real estate transactions experience some form of delay during the closing process. Knowing the most common causes helps you avoid them. Here are the issues that most frequently push closing dates back.

1. Get Pre-Approved Before You Shop

Mortgage pre-approval completes much of the initial verification before you even make an offer. Your lender has already reviewed your credit report, verified income, and confirmed your borrowing capacity. This alone can cut a week or more from the closing process. Learn the difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification before starting your home search.

2. Respond to Document Requests Within 24 Hours

Every day you wait to send a requested document is a day added to your closing timeline. Keep all financial records organized and accessible. Create a dedicated folder with recent tax returns, W-2 forms, pay stubs, bank statements, and identification documents.

3. Schedule the Home Inspection Early

Book your home inspection for the earliest available date after your offer is accepted. Most contracts give you 7 to 10 days for the inspection period. Completing it in the first three to five days gives you maximum time to negotiate repairs without pushing back the closing date.

4. Protect Your Financial Profile

From the moment you apply for a mortgage until closing day, treat your finances like a museum exhibit. Do not open new credit accounts. Do not make large purchases. Do not switch jobs. Do not co-sign loans. Any change triggers a re-review by the underwriter and can delay closing by weeks.

5. Stay in Close Contact With Your Real Estate Agent

An experienced real estate agent manages the entire closing timeline and keeps every party on track. They follow up with the lender, title company, and seller's agent to ensure deadlines are met. If a problem arises, your agent handles it before it becomes a delay.

6. Choose a Responsive Lender

Not all lenders move at the same speed. Some consistently close loans in 25 to 30 days. Others take 45 to 60 days. Ask your real estate agent which mortgage lenders in your area have the fastest and most reliable closing times. Read reviews and ask about their average days to close.

7. Complete Your Final Walkthrough on Time

Schedule your final walkthrough 24 to 48 hours before closing. Verify that the seller completed agreed-upon repairs and the property is in the expected condition. A smooth final walkthrough prevents last-minute disputes that could delay the closing table.

Closing day is the final step in buying a home. The actual closing day takes one to two hours at the signing appointment. You will meet at the title company office, attorney's office, or escrow office with the closing agent who facilitates the transaction. Here is what you will sign documents for and do.

The buyer signs the promissory note (also called the mortgage note), which is your legal promise to repay the home loan. You also sign the deed of trust, which gives the lender a security interest in the property. The purchase agreement terms are finalized through these closing documents. The closing disclosure confirms all the financial details of your loan, including your interest rate, monthly payment, and total closing costs.

The seller signs the deed, which transfers ownership to you. Both parties sign the settlement statement that accounts for all money in the transaction. Wire transfers move funds between accounts. Once everything is recorded with the county, you receive the keys to your new home.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID on the day of closing. Review the documents you need to sign before arriving so there are no surprises. You will also need a cashier's check or wire transfer confirmation for your closing costs and down payment. Your real estate agent or title company will provide the exact amount needed in advance. If you are selling your current home and buying simultaneously, coordinate both closings with your agent.

Closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the home's purchase price. On a $350,000 home, expect to pay $7,000 to $17,500 in closing costs. These fees cover the services provided by lenders, title companies, attorneys, and government agencies during the closing process.

Common closing costs include loan origination fees, appraisal fees, title search and insurance, homeowner's insurance, property taxes, recording fees, and attorney fees. Learn who pays closing costs in your state to understand how these expenses are typically divided between buyer and seller.

Some buyers negotiate seller concessions to cover a portion of closing costs. This is especially common with FHA and VA loans where the seller can contribute up to 6% of the purchase price toward buyer closing costs. Your real estate agent can advise whether this strategy works in your local market.