Week one: opening escrow
Your accepted offer and earnest money deposit open escrow. Disclosures come over from the seller, the preliminary title report is ordered, and your loan file moves into processing. Read the disclosures carefully — this is where known issues are documented.
Weeks one to two: inspections and appraisal
General home inspection plus any specialty inspections (roof, sewer, pest, foundation). The appraisal is ordered by the lender. In California, contingency periods are contractual deadlines — miss one and you may lose your leverage or your deposit protection.
If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, you renegotiate, bring the difference in cash, or cancel under your appraisal contingency.
Weeks two to four: underwriting conditions
Underwriting issues a conditions list: updated bank statements, letters of explanation, insurance binder, verification of employment. Turn these around the same day you receive them. Conditions sitting in an inbox are the single most common cause of a delayed closing.
The final week
Clear to close, Closing Disclosure at least three business days before signing, final walkthrough, signing with a notary, funding, and recording with the county. Recording is the moment the home is legally yours — usually the morning after signing.
Questions people ask
How long does a typical escrow take?+
Thirty days is common in the Inland Empire, and 21 is achievable with a responsive buyer and a complete file up front.
What can derail a closing?+
New debt, a job change, a low appraisal, unresolved title issues, or slow document turnaround. Nearly all of them are avoidable.