What Happens After You Accept an Offer

Katerra Godbee
Apr 22
2 min read

1. You’re Officially Under Contract

Once you accept:

Both parties sign the agreement
Deadlines are set (inspection, financing, closing)

👉 This becomes a legally binding contract.

💵 2. Buyer Submits Earnest Money

The buyer:

Deposits earnest money into escrow

👉 This shows commitment and secures the deal.

🔎 3. Home Inspection

The buyer will:

Inspect the home thoroughly

After inspection, they may:

Accept the home
Request repairs
Ask for price reduction

👉 Be prepared to negotiate again here.

🏦 4. Buyer Secures Financing

The buyer’s lender will:

Verify income and documents
Finalize loan approval

👉 Delays can happen here, so patience is key.

📊 5. Appraisal

The lender orders an appraisal to confirm value.

If value matches → proceed
If lower → renegotiate or adjust

👉 This step protects the lender.

📄 6. Title Search & Legal Work

This ensures:

You legally own the property
There are no liens or disputes

👉 Clean title = smooth closing.

🛠️ 7. Complete Agreed Repairs

If you agreed to fixes:

Complete them before closing
Provide proof if needed

👉 This prevents last-minute issues.

🚶 8. Buyer Final Walkthrough

Before closing, the buyer:

Checks the home condition
Confirms repairs are done

👉 Last chance to resolve any concerns.

💸 9. Prepare for Closing

You’ll need to:

Review final documents
Confirm closing costs
Coordinate move-out

👉 Stay organized to avoid delays.

🔑 10. Closing Day

At closing:

Sign final paperwork
Transfer ownership
Hand over the keys

👉 The sale is complete 🎉

⏳ Typical Timeline

Inspection: 1–2 weeks
Financing & appraisal: 3–6 weeks
Closing: ~30–45 days total

⚠️ Common Seller Mistakes

Delaying repairs
Ignoring deadlines
Not preparing for move-out
Letting emotions affect negotiations

🏁 Final Thought

Accepting an offer is just the start of the final phase.

👉 Stay responsive, flexible, and organized👉 That’s how you get from “accepted offer” to cash in hand smoothly