How long does it take to close on a house?

In the marathon that is homebuying, closing day is the finish line. It's when final documents are signed, the seller is paid and the deed is transferred to the new owner.

It can be a long, stressful and expensive process that takes weeks or even months — beginning when you sign a purchase agreement and ending when you sign closing paperwork and get the keys to your new home.

Below, we share how long it can take to close on a home, walk through the steps involved and share tips on avoiding delays.

The length of the closing process depends on many variables, including when you can schedule appraisals and inspections and when the lender completes underwriting. Even if you pay cash for a property, there is still a closing process.

In June 2025, the average closing period for a home financed with a conventional mortgage was 42 days, according to real estate analytics firm ICE Mortgage Technology. Government-backed mortgages like FHA and VA loans can take significantly longer, sometimes more than 70 days.

On closing day, the buyer reviews and signs documents outlining their financial obligations and rights as a new homeowner.

Closing paperwork typically includes:

• Mortgage or deed of trust: An agreement granting the lender the right to foreclose if the borrower fails to make payment.
• Promissory note. Details the borrower's obligation to pay their mortgage back in full and with interest by a specified date.
• Closing disclosure: This document discloses the monthly payments and closing costs associated with the mortgage. The borrower should receive the disclosure at least three days before closing
• Right-to-cancel form: Grants the borrower three business days to cancel the loan.

The buyer will also hand over a cashier's check for closing costs.

The closing process officially begins when the buyer signs a purchase agreement and ends on closing day, when they sign closing papers and get the keys to their new house.

Purchase agreement (up to 14 days)

After the price is agreed upon, the buyer signs a purchase agreement, which lists the terms, the target closing date and how much money needs to be put in escrow for an earnest money deposit. That essentially starts the clock ticking.

This phase can take just a couple of days, but the buyer and the seller typically have up to two weeks to sign the purchase agreement. Contingencies, like making the sale dependent on the inspection or title search, can slow things down.

Home inspection (up to 15 days)

After the purchase agreement is signed, the home inspection is scheduled. The inspector will check the house's physical structure — including the roof, windows and plumbing — as well as its wiring, appliances, HVAC systems and other elements.

You can find an inspector through the American Society of Home Inspectors or ask the real estate agent for a recommendation. Keep in mind that the home inspector's job is to look for areas that need repair, not address whether the home is worth the purchase price.

The timing is dependent on the inspector's schedule — it could be a few days before they're available, especially if the local real estate market is hot. The inspection itself usually takes just a few hours.

It could be several more days before a completed report is available, however.

Home appraisal (7 to 14 days)

While the buyer can have the home appraised before they sign the purchase agreement, this appraisal is on behalf of the lender. The appraiser determines the fair market value of the home, based on its age and location, square footage and acreage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and if any upgrades or renovations were made. They'll compare the asking price to the sale price of similar properties in the neighborhood.

Like the home inspection, the appraisal is usually just a few hours long but scheduling an appraiser can take time.

Mortgage underwriting (30 or more days)

After you complete the mortgage application, the lender assesses how much of a risk you are by verifying your identity, reviewing your credit score and confirming your income, assets and liabilities during the underwriting process.

Your application can be denied or suspended for many reasons, including if the underwriter can't verify your personal or financial information.

But if the application is approved, all that's left is to sign the final paperwork on closing day.

Title search (10 to 14 days)

Buyers typically need to order a title search to ensure there are no claims, liens or other issues with the property that could prevent the seller from transferring ownership legally. The search can be performed by a title company or attorney while the underwriting process is underway.

A buyer will usually ask for a title contingency in the purchase agreement specifying that the title search must come back clean for the sale to go through. They may be required to take out title insurance, in case someone comes forward with a prior claim.

Closing day (less than 1 day)

This is the final step of the process, when the buyer hands over the money and the seller transfers the deed to the house. There is no set list of attendees, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but you can expect to see at least some of these people:

• The buyer and seller
• Real estate agents and attorneys for both parties
• Escrow officer
• Closing agent
• Title insurance agent
• A representative from the mortgage lender

If they haven't already, the buyer will typically pay closing costs, including lender fees and money for mortgage insurance, title search and insurance, and the lender's appraisal and home inspection. They may have to provide prepaid expenses, as well, like homeowners insurance, property taxes and the mortgage interest that will accrue between closing and the first monthly payment.

Closing on a refinance mortgage is similar to a purchase mortgage, but takes an average of 44 days, according to ICE Mortgage Technology.

Your lender will use the same information to assess your ability to repay the new loan. According to Freddie Mac, you should know if you have been approved for refinancing within three days.

Your home will need to be appraised and go through the underwriting process, though, which could take up to two weeks.

Rocket Mortgage works with refinance clients with credit scores as low as 580 and applicants can get pre-qualified online in minutes. In addition to conventional and jumbo refinancing, it offers VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans, which streamline the process and can help homeowners switch from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate mortgage, lower their interest rate or change their repayment terms — often with simplified underwriting and no new appraisal required.

A lot about the sprint to closing day is out of your hands, but there are steps you can take to make it a smooth ride.

1. Get preapproved

Preapproval can help you close on a home faster.

PNC Bank touts that its online preapproval process takes as little as 30 minutes and offers FHA, VA and USDA mortgages. With a PNC Community Loan, qualified borrowers can put down as little as 3% without private mortgage insurance.

2. Get your paperwork together

Keep the closing process on track by keeping all your documents organized and accessible. Ask your lender for an itemized checklist, but the underwriter will usually require:

• Photo ID and Social Security number
• Two years of tax returns
• Recent pay stubs
• Proof of other income or assets
• Recent bank statements
• Details on auto loans, student loans or other major debts

On closing day, you'll need:

• Proof of homeowners insurance
• Final disclosure
• Purchase contract
• Cash to close

Inaccurate, incomplete or missing information can delay closing.

3. Don't change jobs

Lenders will typically review your employment history to ensure you have a steady income. A job change during the mortgage approval process might make it take longer to verify your income.

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