How long does it take to close on a house?

 Closing on a house — the final step where you sign documents, transfer funds, and officially take ownership — typically takes 30 to 45 days from the moment your offer is accepted. Cash buyers can close in as little as a week, while financed purchases involve mortgage approval, inspections, and title work that stretch the timeline.

This guide walks you through each stage of the closing process, common delays and how to avoid them, and options for moving faster when time matters.

Average time to close on a house today

Closing on a house typically takes 30 to 45 days from the moment your offer is accepted. This window can stretch to 60 days depending on your loan type, how quickly everyone completes their tasks, and whether any complications come up along the way.

Cash buyers move much faster. When you're not waiting for mortgage approval, closing can happen in as little as 7 to 10 days. The difference comes down to one thing: cash purchases skip the entire loan process.

Here's how different loan types affect your timeline:

• Conventional loans: 30 to 45 days with complete documentation and strong pre-approval

• FHA and VA loans: 45 to 60 days due to additional property inspections and stricter requirements

• Cash purchases: 7 to 21 days since there's no mortgage to approve

Your lender's speed matters, but so does everyone else's responsiveness. When buyers, sellers, agents, and title companies stay on top of requests, closings move faster.

Step-by-step home closing timeline

The closing process unfolds in stages. Each one has a purpose, and each one takes time.

Offer accepted

Your closing clock starts when both parties sign the purchase agreement. Within one to two days, you'll submit earnest money — usually 1% to 3% of the purchase price — to show you're serious. This deposit sits in an escrow account and later applies toward your down payment or closing costs.

Loan application and disclosures

You'll complete your formal mortgage application within one to five days. The lender sends initial disclosures that outline your loan terms, estimated monthly payments, and closing costs. Have your documents ready: two years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, and bank statements covering the last 60 to 90 days.

Home inspection

A licensed inspector evaluates the property within three to seven days. The inspection covers the structure, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, and potential safety issues. You can request repairs, negotiate credits, or cancel the purchase if major problems surface.

Appraisal ordered

The lender orders an appraisal within one to two weeks to confirm the home's value. This protects the lender since the property serves as collateral for your loan. Appraiser availability and local market conditions affect how quickly this happens.

Underwriting and conditional approval

Underwriting takes one to three weeks. During this phase, the underwriter verifies your income, employment, assets, and creditworthiness while checking that the property meets lending standards. You'll likely receive conditional approval — the lender agrees to fund your loan once you satisfy specific conditions like providing additional documents or explaining unusual deposits.

Title search and insurance

The title company searches public records to confirm the seller has clear ownership. This process takes one to two weeks and often runs alongside underwriting. Title insurance protects you and your lender against future claims or undiscovered problems.

Final walk-through

Your final walk-through happens 24 to 48 hours before closing. This 15- to 30-minute inspection lets you verify that repairs are complete and the property remains in acceptable condition.

Closing and funding

Closing day involves signing documents and transferring funds. The signing appointment takes one to two hours. After everyone signs and funds transfer, the deed is recorded with the county — at that point, you officially own the home.

How long closing takes after the appraisal

Once the appraisal comes back, you're typically one to three weeks from closing. This final stretch depends on the appraisal results and any remaining conditions.

Underwriting review

The underwriter reviews the appraisal alongside your credit, income, and assets. If the appraisal comes in at or above the purchase price, the process continues smoothly. A low appraisal can trigger renegotiation or require you to bring additional cash to cover the gap.

Clear to close

"Clear to close" means all conditions are satisfied and closing can be scheduled. You'll receive a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing — a legal requirement that gives you time to review final loan terms and itemized costs. During these final days, you'll arrange your down payment and closing cost funds, typically via wire transfer or cashier's check.

What causes closing delays and how to avoid them

Even well-planned closings hit obstacles. Here's what slows things down and how to prevent it.

Financing issues

Credit changes, unverifiable employment, or late document responses stall approvals. Avoid opening new credit accounts or making large purchases during the closing process. Respond to lender requests within 24 hours when possible, and keep your employment and financial situation stable.

Low appraisal

If the property appraises below the purchase price, you'll renegotiate with the seller, increase your down payment, or dispute the appraisal. Some buyers include appraisal gap coverage in their offers, committing to pay a certain amount above the appraised value.

Title or lien problems

Outstanding liens, boundary disputes, or ownership defects halt closings until resolved. Sellers sometimes discover tax liens, contractor liens, or divorce-related claims they weren't aware of. Many of these issues take weeks to clear through proper legal channels.

Repair negotiations

Inspection findings can trigger extended negotiations over who pays for repairs. Prioritize critical safety and structural issues, set clear deadlines, and document all agreements in writing through your agent.

Contingency dominoes

Home-sale, financing, and inspection contingencies can chain together. This happens especially when buyers are selling their current home to fund the new purchase. Realistic timelines and strong pre-approval help, as do contingency plans like bridge loans or temporary housing if your sale and purchase don't align.

Fast-track options to close sooner

When time matters, a few options can speed up your closing.

Verified funds and no lender underwriting

Cash offers eliminate the longest part of the process — mortgage approval. Even with financing, some lenders offer programs where underwriting happens upfront during pre-approval, reducing time after offer acceptance.

Waiving contingencies responsibly

Shortening inspection periods from ten days to five, offering appraisal gap coverage, or waiving minor contingencies shows sellers you're serious. However, you're giving up protections that exist for good reasons. Consider which protections you truly benefit from versus which ones you can reasonably forgo.

Remote online notarization

Digital closing tools eliminate scheduling delays in states that permit them. Remote online notarization lets you sign documents from anywhere via secure video conference. Not all states or lenders offer this option yet, but availability is expanding.

How long closing day takes

Plan for your closing appointment to last one to two hours. The complexity of your transaction and how many parties attend affect the duration.

Document signing

You'll review and sign the promissory note, deed of trust or mortgage, Closing Disclosure, and various affidavits. The closing agent or attorney walks you through each document. This is your opportunity to ask questions and verify everything matches your expectations.

Funds transfer and keys

The title company receives your wire transfer or cashier's check, coordinates lender funding, and records the deed with the county. Once recording is complete, you receive the keys. In some areas, recording happens immediately and you get keys the same day. In others, recording takes until the next business day.

Coordinating your sale and purchase on one timeline

Buying and selling at the same time creates logistical challenges. Careful sequencing and clear contingency planning help you avoid owning two homes or having nowhere to live between closings.

Trade-in programs

Some companies let you buy your new home while they facilitate the sale of your current one. Opendoor's trade-in program removes the uncertainty of coordinating two separate transactions — you move once instead of twice.

Lease-back agreements

Sellers can remain in the home after closing for an agreed period, typically 30 to 60 days. Lease-backs are negotiated during the offer stage and formalized in the purchase agreement. You'll pay rent to the buyer, usually at a daily rate based on their mortgage payment.

Move on your schedule with Opendoor

Traditional home sales require you to coordinate showings, wait for buyer financing, and hope both transactions close on the same day. Opendoor's cash offer provides timeline control and certainty. You choose your closing date — whether that's two weeks or two months away — and know exactly when you'll receive your funds. Get a free, no-obligation offer and take control of your timeline.

FAQs about closing timelines

Can I choose my exact closing date with a cash buyer?

Cash buyers typically offer more flexibility since they don't depend on mortgage approval timelines. You can often negotiate your preferred closing date, whether you want to close quickly or want extra time to coordinate your move. The main constraints are title work completion and the buyer's own schedule.

Is a two-week closing realistic with a mortgage?

A two-week closing with financing is challenging but possible with exceptional preparation. You'd benefit from complete pre-approval with full underwriting, a motivated lender, immediate appraisal scheduling, and no inspection or title issues. Cash purchases make two-week closings much more realistic.

What happens if mortgage rates rise while I am in escrow?

A rate lock protects you for 30 to 60 days from the time you lock your rate. If closing delays push you past the lock expiration, you may be able to extend the lock for a fee — typically 0.25% to 0.50% of the loan amount.

Can I move in on the same day I close?

You typically receive keys at or right after funding and recording, making same-day move-in possible. However, many buyers schedule movers for the following day to avoid time pressure. Check your local recording practices — some counties record immediately while others take until the next business day.