What is the timeline after a house offer is accepted?

Asked by: Dr. Charity Dickinson  |  Last update: February 24, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (51 votes)

Usually, the closing date will be 30 – 60 days after the seller accepts the offer.

How long does it take to close after offer is accepted?

In most cases this is within 30 to 60 days after the offer is accepted. The closing date is when you sign paperwork and take ownership of the home. Keep in mind that buyers don't always take possession of the home at closing.

How long does it take to hear back after offering on a house?

Legally speaking, there isn't a time frame for sellers to respond to your offer. However, it's an unspoken rule in the industry that sellers and/or the listing agents should respond within a few days, with 48 hours as the norm.

What happens after a buyer accepts an offer?

Once your offer is accepted, you'll go under contract, pay your earnest money deposit into an escrow account, and collaborate closely with your agent, lender, and attorney to ensure that you meet the terms of your contract.

Is there a time limit on accepting an offer on a house?

The exception is for certain states, such as California, where an offer will be considered revoked if it's not signed by the seller and delivered back to the buyer by 5 P.M. on the third day after the buyer signs it.

The Home Buying Journey: After Your Offer Gets Accepted

31 related questions found

How long does it take to sell a house once an offer is accepted?

The standard time it takes to sell a house once an offer is accepted ranges from 21-60 days. This is the agreed-upon timeframe between the buyer and the seller that is outlined in the purchase agreement. Most real estate professionals refer to this final selling phase as “days to close” or “time to close escrow.”

Can a buyer back out of an accepted offer?

A buyer can back out of a home purchase even after signing a contract if all agreed-upon contingencies are not met. Common reasons for buyers to back out include issues revealed during a home inspection and problems with financing. Having a backup offer in place can help soften the blow in case a deal falls through.

What are the next steps after accepting an offer?

But be sure to make time for these seven steps you should take before your first day at your job with a new employer.
  • Write your job acceptance letter. ...
  • Notify your boss that you're accepting a job offer. ...
  • Let other contenders know. ...
  • Cultivate your network. ...
  • Facilitate handovers. ...
  • Stay in touch with your new manager.

Can buyer negotiate price after offer accepted?

Is the Sale Final? Not exactly. After an offer is accepted, both the buyer and the seller have tasks to complete, and any complications during this period could affect the terms of the sale. From inspections to financing, there are plenty of opportunities for negotiations to reopen.

What happens after a mortgage offer is accepted?

A mortgage offer means your application has been accepted by a lender. After the offer, you'll sign a contract with your lender to let them know you're happy with it. Then your conveyancer can start the legal work.

How long do sellers take to decide on an offer?

In theory, sellers can take as long as they want before responding to an offer, but most listing agents get back to buyers within a few days. For the most part, 24 to 48 hours seems to be the standard observed by most sellers and their agents, but there are some exceptions.

How much is earnest money?

In real estate, earnest money is effectively a deposit to buy a home. Usually, it ranges between 1-10% of the home's sale price. While earnest money doesn't obligate a buyer to purchase a home, it does require the seller to take the property off of the market during the appraisal process.

Can you show a house after accepting an offer?

Yes, you can still show it. Your house isn't sold until it's closed. Anything can happen to cause your contract to fall apart (even cash deals) and if you don't have interested parties you're back to square one trying to get some attention again.

What is the timeline after offer is accepted?

The various parties involved in the transaction will settle on a closing date that's agreeable to everyone. Usually, the closing date will be 30 – 60 days after the seller accepts the offer.

Can I move in on closing day?

Some buyers may be able to negotiate an immediate possession date. This means as soon as the transaction is closed and the deed is recorded, the buyer can move in. A few other common buyer possession dates may be 15 days, 30 days, 60 days, or even 90 days after closing, depending on how much time the seller needs.

Who signs first at closing, buyer or seller?

Who Signs Closing Documents First, Buyer or Seller? Typically, the seller signs the closing documents first, before the buyer even arrives at the office where the closing is taking place.

Do sellers usually wait to accept offers?

The typical response time for a seller after receiving an offer is 24-72 hours. However, it could take longer, depending on market conditions and other factors. Sellers want time to thoroughly review an offer's details, get feedback from their agent, and potentially wait to see if other competitive offers come in.

What is the golden rule when negotiating offers?

The first Golden Rule is essential to success in any negotiation: Information Is Power—So Get It! It's critical to ask questions and get as much relevant information as you can throughout the negotiation process. You need sufficient information to set aggressive, realistic goals and to evaluate the other side's goals.

Can you outbid an accepted offer?

The answer is yes, but there are very specific circumstances where this would be possible. For example, for homes that are currently pending or under contract, it might be possible to get the seller's current real estate agent involved in the negotiation process again.

What is the next step after acceptance?

Once you've been accepted to the colleges of your choice, talk to your family about which ones work best for you financially. Together, you should make decisions about financial aid, such as whether you should take a student loan or a work-study job.

What are 3 requirements for the acceptance of an offer?

An acceptance is “a manifestation of assent to the terms [of the offer] made by the offeree in the manner invited or required by the offer.” In determining if an offeree accepted an offer and created a contract, a court will look for evidence of three factors: (1) the offeree intended to enter the contract, (2) the ...

How long does it take to move into a house after your offer is accepted?

However, in most cases, once a seller has accepted your offer, the closing process typically takes 30 to 60 days - unless you made an all-cash offer. The journey to becoming a homeowner involves a lot of steps and any of them could extend the process, especially if you're not well prepared.

How much earnest money is normal?

California law, on the other hand, limits the amount of earnest money that can go to a seller should the deal fall through to 3% of the purchase price. There are some exceptions, Stuart says, but this law makes it so few earnest money deposits exceed 3% in the Golden State.

Does cancelling a contract hurt your credit?

Here's some good news: Backing out of a contract won't directly affect your credit score, because terminating a purchase contract isn't reported to credit bureaus.

Can a buyer change their mind after offer accepted?

If a buyer changes their mind after making an offer on your home, they may lose their earnest money deposit unless they have a valid reason covered by the contingencies. Earnest money is a deposit made by the buyer to show that they are serious about purchasing the home.