How often do closings get pushed back?

Asked by: Melba Murphy  |  Last update: October 1, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (46 votes)

A closing date is like a term paper deadline: you need to meet it. But life happens, and sometimes you need an extension. In fact, about 1 in 4 closings experience delays, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Is it normal for a closing date to be delayed?

You can definitely expect to experience delays if there is a problem with your funding. To close on time, you'll have to have the correct amount of money available to cover your down payment and any closing costs through either a wire transfer or certified check.

Why do closing dates get pushed back?

If the mortgage lender finds some new financial activity in their final credit review, they may ask for an explanation that pushes back the closing date. Title searches can be one of the most intricate parts of preparing for a closing.

How often do buyers back out at closing?

3.9% of real estate sales fail after the contract is signed.

There's nothing more frustrating than having a buyer back out at the last second. Even if you're lucky and the house sells quickly and above the asking price after a heated bidding war, many things can go wrong that cause a deal to fall through.

Is it common to extend a closing date?

In most cases, many purchase contracts allow for a one-time extension of the closing date, offering flexibility to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

How often do closings fall through/Why do homes fall out of escrow

17 related questions found

Can the seller push back the closing date?

In most contracts, both parties must agree to any extension unless the contract specifies that one party has the right to extend unilaterally under certain conditions. The contract may specify penalties for failing to close on time or remedies if the other party is at fault for the delay.

Can closing day be moved up?

More often than not, purchase contracts will state that the sale will close on or before a specific date unless both parties mutually agree to a change, but some contracts don't allow the buyer or seller to change the closing date.

At what point do most house sales fall through?

Common Reasons Pending Sales Don't Cross the Finish Line
  • The appraisal is lower than the sale price. ...
  • The buyer can't sell their old home. ...
  • There are issues with the title. ...
  • The home isn't insurable. ...
  • The buyer is inexperienced. ...
  • There are details missing on the paperwork. ...
  • The buyer or seller gets cold feet.

Can a buyer change mind after closing?

Yes. For certain types of mortgages, after you sign your mortgage closing documents, you may be able to change your mind. You have the right to cancel, also known as the right of rescission, for most non-purchase money mortgages.

How long does the closing process normally take?

Closing on a house takes roughly 30 to 60 days from the time your offer is accepted to taking ownership of the house.

What can cause closing to fall through?

A closing may fall through for many reasons, including title-insurance surprises, buyer financing rejections, inspection failures, and lowball appraisals. Even buyer's remorse can sour a deal.

How accurate are closing dates?

A specific closing date or a closing set for “on or about” a specific date does not necessarily mean that that date is the day you will actually close on your hew home. Unless the contract specifically states the date is “time of the essence,” both parties are entitled to a reasonable adjournment.

Can an appraisal delay closing?

But in cases where the appraisal finds problems with the property that need to be fixed before it can be eligible for a loan, you may need to add extra time for corrections or repairs. In such cases it's safe to assume your loan closing might be delayed.

Why does my closing date keep getting pushed back?

There could be title issues that even the seller is unaware of, and this can precipitate legal complications that inevitably delay a closing. Title issues can include liens on the property or unpaid property taxes. There could be unresolved disputes over who owns or inherited the property.

How many days between due date and closing date?

Your credit card closing date is the last day of your billing cycle. Your credit card statement generates at the end of your closing date, and the due date is at least 21 days later. If you don't pay your credit card's minimum payment between the closing date and the due date, you may incur a late fee.

How can I speed up my closing date?

How to expedite the mortgage closing process
  1. Use a knowledgeable real estate agent. ...
  2. Respond quickly to lender requests. ...
  3. Be flexible on your closing date and time. ...
  4. Review closing documents beforehand. ...
  5. Have cash ready to close. ...
  6. Preemptively address any credit issues. ...
  7. Maintain consistent employment.

Can anything go wrong during closing on a house?

A closing on a home can be delayed for many reasons, including a lower-than-expected assessment, problems found at the time of the inspection, or if there is an issue with your mortgage loan.

Can a buyer sue after closing?

If a buyer discovers hidden defects or unforeseen issues after closing, they may be able to sue the seller for damages. The specific legal options available will depend on the laws of the state where the property is located and the real estate contract terms.

How many days before closing can you back out?

You can back out of buying a house any time before closing. However, you'll likely face penalties — including possibly being sued — if the purchase agreement has already been signed and you're backing out for a reason that isn't listed as a contingency in the purchase agreement.

What is the slowest month for home sales?

The slowest month for home sales is typically January and the months before. During this time, several factors contribute to the decline in activity.

Is the seller usually at closing?

Usually, by closing day, the seller has packed up and departed. On closing day itself, the homebuyer must sign a lot of paperwork that finalizes the deal.

Do sellers usually go for highest offer?

Home sellers typically choose convenience over a higher-priced offer because it could mean fewer headaches during the process.”

Who decides the closing date?

The closing date is set after your mortgage loan has been approved and you accept the commitment letter. Your agent will coordinate this date with you, the seller, your lender, and the closing agent.

Can a house fall through on closing day?

Though it's rare (73% of contracts close on time, and only 5% of contracts never make it past closing day), there are also other reasons that a home's sale can fall through on the closing day, including cold feet, title issues, and unfulfilled contingencies.

Is closing day stressful?

Buying your first home is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. The closing process, which involves finalizing the sale and transferring the ownership of the property, can take several weeks or months and involve many steps and documents.