Photo by Tristan Colangelo on Unsplash

You’ve put in an offer and it’s been accepted. You’re super excited and ready to move forward with transitioning into your new digs. The only thing standing between you and your dream home is the closing process. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may be surprised to learn that it typically takes between 30 and 45 days to close on a home – and sometimes longer, depending on the type of mortgage and circumstances. Why the wait? Why does this process take so long?

The Real Estate Transaction, From Beginning to End

A great deal happens between the time your offer is accepted and you sign on the dotted line. Here’s a general overview of the real estate transaction, from start to finish. (Keep in mind, the processing times for different mortgage products may vary.)

1. Loan application
2. Loan approval process
3. Home inspection
4. Home repairs (if necessary)
5. Home appraisal
6. Review or execution of land survey
7. Walk-through
8. Closing

Beware of Potential Closing Delays

A number of factors can delay the closing process:

• Necessary repairs identified during the home inspection
• Title defects or other related problems
• Appraisal comes in under asking price
• Missing or erroneous information (title and/or mortgage related)
• Survey discrepancies
• Buyer’s financing falls through

How Can You Help Ensure the Fastest Route to Closing?

The speed at which your loan is processed may be out of your control, but there are a few things you can do to ensure the straightest path to the closing table.

Be extremely prepared. Have all necessary documents compiled and ready to submit when requested. If you’re the buyer, this includes tax returns (from the past two years), pay stubs and evidence of additional income, bank and asset statements, and other information.

Be responsive. Your lender may request additional information from you throughout the process. To avoid any further delay, it’s best to respond as quickly and thoroughly to any questions, documentation or other requests they may have.

Stay in the loop. Stay in close contact with your agent, reaching out periodically (if need be) to inquire about where things are in the process and how your real estate transaction is progressing.

At Linear Title & Escrow, we work hard to ensure each closing is as efficient and streamlined as possible. Contact our team today to learn more!