When it comes to closing, experience truly matters. While many home buying companies may promise a fast sale, there are no shortcuts when it comes to title and escrow, especially if your property is older or in a older neighborhood, inherited, in probate or in foreclosure.
With We Buy Homes Near You, we make closing easy and worry-free regardless of the situation. In fact, we’ll even come to you, or send everything electronically… So you can close in the convenience of your home.
So what is the standard real estate closing timeline?
Closing time for an all-cash purchase
Because a lender isn’t involved, the closing time for cash purchases can be shorter. Once under contract, a cash sale can close in as few as two weeks — just enough time for the title and escrow companies to clear any liens, provide insurance, and get paperwork ready (more on that later).
Closing time for a financed purchase
The typical closing time for a financed purchase (one where the buyer is taking out a mortgage on the home they’re buying) is at least 30 days. Other popular closing time frames are 45 and 60 days, which are agreed upon by the buyer and seller, and usually chosen to align with relocation plans or another real estate purchase.
1. Sign the contract
The first step in closing is accepting your offer and completing a Purchase and Sale Agreement contract — commonly known as “going under contract”, which we’ve already completed at this point.
2. Verify proof of funds
Since we’re using our own cash to close the deal, you’ll want to make sure we actually have the money available. Typically, we give an earnest money deposit up front and provide proof of funds in the form of a bank or investment statement.
3. Hire title and escrow companies
Depending on the state, you might choose the companies, or the buyer might. A title company is responsible for making sure the property lines are drawn correctly and that there are no property liens that need to be addressed; issuing title insurance; and, on closing day, ensuring that the actual property ownership changes hands.
The escrow company is responsible for managing all closing documents, facilitating the transfer of funds, and completing the legal paperwork that records the sale.
Note: Sometimes the same company can handle both the title and escrow tasks.
What is a property lien?
A property lien is a legal notice related to an unpaid debt. If you’ve failed to pay your taxes, child support, the settlement for a court case against you, or a contractor who has done work for you, a lien can be placed on your home until you settle the debt.
Long story short: You can’t sell your home until all liens are cleared, and it’s the title company’s job to make sure there are no outstanding liens before closing.
4. The Due Diligence period.
This is the time frame for “discovery” and final vetting of the property. This can include a title search, appraisal, property inspections, surveys if needed, acquiring insurance quotes, reviewing HOA policy and any other information needed to make a good decision on the purchase.
The timing of due diligence can be critical. So we will make sure it meshes well with foreclosure deadlines, loan closing time frames and proposed closing dates if applicable.
Personal Property. Our contract allows for the inclusion or exclusion of personal property such as refrigerators, outdoor sheds and other items not attached to the physical property. We will be sure to be very clear regarding what is and is not part of the purchase.
5. Review and sign closing documents
Get your signing hand ready — it’s closing time, and a mountain of paperwork is pretty much a guarantee, even when dealing in cash. Here’s what you can expect to review and sign:
That’s it! Once you [the seller] and We Buy Homes Near You have signed the final closing documents, then the title company will record the deed and it’s payday for you!
You’ll receive your funds via check or wire transfer within 48 hours typically.
We know that no matter what the process of selling your home is, it can be stressful. We thrive to simplify your home selling process. If your ready, submit your address below.