How Long Does It Take to Close on a House in 2026?
Average 43 days for purchases. Full day-by-day timeline, common delays, and how to close faster.
Emily Chen
NMLS #345678 · Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist
10 years guiding buyers through the closing process. Closed 800+ transactions. Expert in purchase timelines, underwriting, and title issues.
Closing Timeline by Loan Type (2026) — Get pre-approved to close faster →
7–14 days
Cash Purchase
40–45 days
Conventional
47–50 days
FHA Loan
47–52 days
VA Loan
Full Closing Timeline: Day by Day
Days 1-3: Offer Accepted
| Sign purchase contract | Buyer + Seller |
| Pay earnest money deposit | Buyer |
| Submit full mortgage application | Buyer |
| Choose title company / attorney | Buyer/Agent |
| Upload all documents to lender portal | Buyer |
Days 3-10: Inspection & Initial Processing
| Schedule and complete home inspection | Buyer |
| Lender orders appraisal | Lender |
| Title search begins | Title company |
| Negotiate inspection repairs/credits | Buyer/Seller |
| Loan Estimate received (within 3 days of application) | Lender |
Days 10-25: Underwriting
| Appraisal completed and reviewed | Appraiser/Lender |
| Underwriter reviews full file | Lender |
| Respond to conditions (missing docs, explanations) | Buyer |
| Title search completed, title insurance issued | Title company |
| Homeowners insurance bound | Buyer |
Days 25-40: Clear to Close
| Loan receives "Clear to Close" (CTC) | Lender |
| Closing Disclosure sent (3 business days before closing) | Lender |
| Review and sign Closing Disclosure | Buyer |
| Wire closing funds or get certified check | Buyer |
| Final walk-through scheduled | Buyer/Agent |
Day 43: Closing Day
| Final walk-through of property | Buyer |
| Sign all closing documents (100+ pages) | Buyer |
| Lender funds the loan | Lender |
| Title transfers to buyer | Title company |
| Keys handed over | Seller/Agent |
Top 7 Causes of Closing Delays (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Low appraisal
Fix: Negotiate price reduction, challenge the appraisal, or pay the difference
2. Title issues (liens, ownership disputes)
Fix: Order title search early; seller resolves liens before closing
3. Missing/incomplete documents
Fix: Submit ALL documents within 24 hours of going under contract
4. Buyer opens new credit or makes large purchase
Fix: Freeze all financial activity from application to closing
5. Appraisal scheduling backlog
Fix: Lender orders appraisal on Day 1; ask about rush options
6. HOA document delays
Fix: Request HOA documents immediately after going under contract
7. Seller not ready to vacate
Fix: Negotiate possession date in contract; build in buffer
The #1 way to close faster: get fully pre-approved before making an offer.
Full pre-approval cuts 1–2 weeks off your closing timeline. Takes 3 minutes.
How to Close Faster: 8 Pro Tips
Get fully pre-approved before making offers
Full pre-approval (not pre-qual) means underwriting is mostly done. Cuts 1-2 weeks off the process.
Submit all documents on Day 1
Don't wait for the lender to ask. Upload W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns immediately.
Respond to lender requests same-day
Every day you delay on a condition request is a day added to your closing timeline.
Don't change jobs or open new credit
Any financial change can trigger re-underwriting and add 1-2 weeks.
Choose a lender with in-house underwriting
Lenders who underwrite in-house are faster than those who outsource. Ask before choosing.
Order inspections immediately
Schedule the home inspection within 24 hours of going under contract.
Use a local title company
Local title companies know local requirements and can move faster than national chains.
Avoid closing on Fridays
Funding delays on Fridays can push your key handover to Monday. Close Tuesday-Thursday.
Get Pre-Approved & Close Faster
Full pre-approval before making an offer cuts your closing time by 1-2 weeks. Compare lenders in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to close on a house in 2026?
The average time to close on a house in 2026 is 43 days for a purchase loan and 35 days for a refinance, according to ICE Mortgage Technology data. Cash purchases close in 7-14 days. FHA and VA loans average 47-50 days due to additional requirements. Conventional loans average 40-45 days. The fastest closings happen when buyers are fully pre-approved (not just pre-qualified) and all documents are submitted upfront.
What is the fastest you can close on a house?
The fastest possible closing timelines: Cash purchase: 7-14 days (no lender involved). Conventional loan with full pre-approval: 21-30 days. FHA loan: 30-35 days minimum. VA loan: 30-40 days minimum. Some lenders advertise 10-day closings for conventional loans, but these require complete documentation upfront, no appraisal issues, and a very responsive title company. Realistically, 21-30 days is the fastest for most financed purchases.
What causes mortgage closing delays?
The most common causes of closing delays: (1) Appraisal issues — low appraisal or scheduling delays (adds 1-2 weeks). (2) Title problems — liens, ownership disputes, estate issues (adds 1-4 weeks). (3) Underwriting conditions — missing documents, unexplained deposits, employment verification (adds 3-10 days). (4) Buyer financial changes — new debt, job change, large deposit (can restart underwriting). (5) Seller delays — repairs not completed, moving out late. (6) HOA document delays.
What happens on closing day?
On closing day: (1) Final walk-through of the property (1-2 hours before closing). (2) Sign all closing documents at the title company or attorney's office (1-2 hours). (3) Wire or bring certified funds for closing costs and down payment. (4) Lender funds the loan (same day or next day). (5) Title transfers to your name. (6) You receive the keys. The entire closing appointment takes 1-2 hours. Bring valid photo ID and be prepared to sign 100+ pages of documents.
Can I close on a house in 30 days?
Yes, 30-day closings are achievable for conventional loans if you: (1) Have a full pre-approval (not just pre-qualification) before making an offer. (2) Submit all documents to your lender within 24 hours of going under contract. (3) Respond to underwriter requests same-day. (4) Have a clean credit and employment history. (5) The property appraises at or above purchase price. (6) Title is clear. FHA and VA loans are harder to close in 30 days due to additional requirements.