• On average, it takes between 30 and 45 days to close on a house
  • Factors like home loan type, contingencies, responsiveness of all parties, and availability of information can affect the time it takes to close on a house.
  • To expedite closing times, buyers should get pre-approved for a home loan before making purchase offers, and sellers should clear any known title issues before listing the property for sale.

Buying a home is one of the most important, yet very complex, purchases most people will ever make. Even when an offer is accepted on a property, there is more work to be done before the buyer and seller can close the deal and complete the transfer of ownership.

In this article, we’re exploring how long it takes to close on a house. You’ll learn how the closing process works, which factors can affect closing timelines, and what you can do to avoid delays in closing on your real estate transaction.

How Long Does It Take to Close on a House?

On average, it can take 30-45 days to close on a house.[1] However, there are many factors that can affect closing timelines, so it is possible to take closer to 60 days in some cases.

Factors That Can Affect Closing Timelines

Closing timelines often depend on factors like:

  • Home loan type. Most homebuyers need to secure mortgage financing to complete the purchase of their new home. Different loan types may take longer to close because of program requirements specific to certain loans. VA loans, for example, which provide funding for eligible military service members, veterans, and their spouses, require a thorough property inspection to make sure the chosen home meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs).[2]
  • Contingencies. Contingencies are stipulations that must be met before a deal can close. Some contingencies take longer to clear than others. For example, a home sale contingency means that the buyer must wait for their current home to sell before they can purchase the new home. This could dramatically impact the closing timeline.
  • Scheduling conflicts, including holidays and vacations. Real estate deals require a team of professionals to facilitate the transaction, including agents, lenders, attorneys, inspectors, appraisers, title researchers, and notaries. Their schedules can affect the closing timeline, particularly when multiple people are unavailable, as we sometimes see during the holidays.
  • Responsiveness of all parties involved. The process can move more quickly when the buyer, seller, and all vendors respond quickly to requests for documentation and approvals.
  • Availability of information. Many details need to be confirmed during closing (such as buyer income and the seller’s clear right to sell). The availability of the relevant information can affect closing timelines.

What Needs to Happen During the Closing Process?

The exact checklist of items to be completed during the closing process varies depending on the specifics of the purchase agreement. Having said that, here is an outline of the tasks that typically need to be completed once the property is under contract and working toward closing.

Completing the Mortgage Application

If the buyer has already been pre-approved for a mortgage, completing the mortgage application can be done quickly, often by submitting a form online. Pre-approval is when a lender reviews the buyer’s finances and credit to determine if they’re likely to qualify for a home loan and how much they may be able to borrow. Since the lender already has a solid understanding of the buyer’s financial profile, the buyer has a head start on the mortgage application.

Many buyers get pre-approved before shopping for homes because they want to make sure they’re shopping in the right price range and show the seller that they are a serious, qualified buyer. Having a preapproval may give you an advantage over other buyers who are not preapproved. Some real estate agents and sellers prefer to have their buyer preapproved when making an offer, which may give you a competitive edge in having your offer selected.

If the buyer is not pre-approved (or their pre-approval has expired), they’ll need to start their mortgage application from the beginning by submitting a form, authorizing a credit check, and providing documentation for the lender’s review, including:

  • Proof of identity: A Social Security number and a valid, government-issued ID.
  • Proof of income: Pay stubs for the past 30 days.
  • Proof of income history: W-2s, 1099s, and tax returns from the last two years.
  • Proof of assets: Bank and investment account statements for the last 90 days.
  • Debt information: A list of credit cards, student loans, auto loans, and any other active debts.

Ordering the Home Inspection

The buyer orders a home inspection to assess the physical condition of the home. This may open a new round of negotiations if the buyer is not satisfied with the results of the inspection. They may ask for repairs to be made before closing, which could delay closing. If the closing timeline is important, the parties may agree to seller concessions to cover the cost of repairs or a reduction in the purchase price.  

Having the Property Appraised

The lender will work with the buyer to order a home appraisal to confirm the property's value. Because the property is used as collateral for the loan, the lender needs to confirm its worth. 

This could also trigger a new round of negotiations. If the property’s appraised value is less than the purchase price, the buyer may try to renegotiate the price, especially if the lender reduces funding based on the lower appraisal. 

If there are no issues at this point, it could take two or three weeks after the appraisal to close on the house.[3]

Having the Title Researched

Title searches uncover potential issues with the seller’s clear right to sell the property. “Clouds on title” are defects in a clear title that typically need to be resolved before closing. For example, if there is a tax lien against the property for back taxes owed, those taxes would need to be paid to clear the title.

Getting the Property Insured

The buyer will need to purchase homeowners insurance for the new property to protect it against unexpected loss or damage from events like storms, fire, or theft. Lenders typically require that the insurance policy be in place before they will release the funds.

Signing Documents and Disclosures

Both the buyer and seller will need to sign applicable agreements, disclosures, addenda, and other documents to make sure everyone has been made aware of the relevant details of the deal.

Funding the Loan

The lender releases funds so the seller can get paid and the buyer can take possession of the property.

Common Closing Delays

Here are some of the most common reasons closing on a home could be delayed:

  • Financing delays. Missing documents, conflicting information, or questions that arise during underwriting can hold up the funding process.
  • Title issues. Problems with a property’s title – called ‘clouds on title’ – like unpaid liens, boundary disputes, or public record errors, can delay closing until they are resolved.
  • Home appraisal problems. If the home appraises for less than the purchase price, the buyer may need to cover the difference out of pocket, which can trigger renegotiations with the seller and delay closing.
  • Home inspection findings. Major issues found during inspection might require repairs, further inspections, or renegotiations, all of which can extend the timeline.
  • Home sale contingencies. If the buyer needs to sell their current home before they can complete this purchase, the timeline can be uncertain.
  • Document errors or delays. Missing signatures, missing information, or incorrect information on paperwork can stall progress and cause delays.
  • Changes to the buyer’s funding. If the buyer switches lenders, changes loan products, or makes major financial moves (like taking on new debt or changing jobs), the loan may need to be reprocessed.

Tips To Avoid Delays and Expedite Your Closing Process

To avoid delays, homebuyers can:

  • Get pre-approved for a mortgage before making any offers. If you’re not yet ready for a full pre-approval with a hard inquiry into your credit, consider a preliminary pre-approval, which uses a soft pull that won’t affect your credit score. Final loan approval and amount are subject to verification of loan data, property appraisal, and underwriting conditions.
  • Respond quickly to requests. Whether your lender needs your latest paystub or your agent needs your signature, be as responsive as possible.
  • Schedule inspections and appraisals early. The sooner these are completed, the faster you can address any issues that may come up.
  • Avoid major financial changes. Don’t open new credit accounts, change jobs, or make large purchases before closing. These can change your financial profile and cause your lender to reevaluate your loan qualifications.
  • Review closing disclosures early. Ask for copies of documents you need to sign a few days before your signing appointment, so you can read them thoroughly and get answers to any questions, rather than rescheduling the signing.

And home sellers can:

  • Consider a pre-listing home inspection. This can help you identify potential issues with the condition of the property upfront, so you can address them or be prepared to work around them.
  • Be upfront with disclosures. Provide complete and honest property disclosures from the start to build buyer trust and avoid legal or logistical setbacks later.
  • Make the property accessible. Accommodate appraisers, inspectors, and final walkthroughs to prevent scheduling delays.
  • Clear title issues early. Work with a title company to ensure there are no liens or ownership discrepancies that could delay closing.

Final Thoughts on How Long It Takes to Close on a House

Understanding the timeline to close on a house can help you set realistic expectations and reduce stress. While most real estate closings take 30 to 45 days, many factors can speed things up or slow them down. Whether you're buying or selling, being proactive, responsive, and well-prepared is the best way to keep your transaction on track and avoid frustrating delays.