Getting your offer accepted feels like the finish line — but it is really the starting line. From the moment the seller signs, a countdown begins. In Texas, most transactions close approximately 30 to 45 days after contract execution, and every day in that window has a purpose. Here is exactly what happens and when.
Day 1–3: Earnest Money and Option Fee Are Due
Two payments are due within the first few days of an accepted contract, and missing either deadline can put your deal at risk.
The earnest money deposit (EMD) is typically 1% of the purchase price, though it varies by price point and market conditions. It gets delivered to the title company and held in escrow. If the deal closes, it applies toward your costs. If you back out without a valid contractual reason, you may forfeit it.
The option fee is a smaller amount — often a few hundred dollars, though it varies — paid directly to the seller. In exchange, you receive the unrestricted right to terminate the contract during the option period for any reason. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) standard contract form specifies that this fee is due within three days of contract execution.
Days 1–10: The Option Period and Home Inspection
The option period in Texas is negotiable — commonly 5 to 10 days in the DFW market — and this is when you order a home inspection. A licensed Texas home inspector will evaluate the structure, roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more. Expect the process to take 2 to 4 hours for a typical single-family home, with a written report delivered within 24 to 48 hours.
After reviewing the inspection report, you have three choices: proceed as-is, negotiate repairs or a price reduction with the seller, or terminate the contract before the option period expires. Your REALTOR® can help you identify which issues are worth negotiating versus which are standard wear and tear.
If the property is in or near a FEMA-designated flood zone, this is also the time to review flood map data and confirm what flood insurance, if any, will cost.
Days 5–21: Appraisal and Loan Processing
Once you move past the option period, your lender orders an appraisal. An independent, licensed appraiser visits the property and determines its market value based on comparable sales. This step is required for most financed purchases — conventional, FHA, and VA loans all require an appraisal.
Two outcomes matter here:
- Appraisal meets or exceeds purchase price: The deal moves forward normally.
- Appraisal comes in low: You and the seller will need to renegotiate the price, you will need to cover the gap in cash, or the deal may fall apart.
Simultaneously, your lender's underwriting team is processing your loan file. They will request additional documents — bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, letters of explanation — so respond to any requests within 24 to 48 hours to avoid delays. A slow response from the buyer is one of the most common reasons closings get pushed back.
Days 10–30: Title Search and Title Insurance
The title company conducts a title search to confirm the seller has clear, marketable ownership and that no liens, unpaid taxes, judgments, or other encumbrances are attached to the property. In Texas, both the lender and the buyer typically obtain title insurance policies — the lender's policy is generally required for financed purchases, while the owner's policy protects your equity.
The title company will send you a title commitment for review before closing. If title issues surface — for example, a mechanic's lien from a prior contractor or an unresolved court judgment — they must be resolved before closing can occur.
Days 25–40: Clear to Close and Final Walkthrough
When your lender issues a "clear to close" (CTC), it means underwriting has approved your file and you are ready to schedule closing. You will receive a Closing Disclosure (CD) at least three business days before your scheduled closing date. Review it carefully — it itemizes every fee, your final loan terms, and the exact amount you need to bring to closing.
The final walkthrough typically happens 24 to 48 hours before closing. This is your last chance to confirm the home is in the agreed-upon condition: repairs have been made, the seller's belongings are removed, and nothing has changed since your inspection. This is not a second inspection — it is a verification.
Closing Day: Keys, Signatures, and Funding
On closing day, you will sign a significant stack of documents at the title company — loan documents, the deed, and various disclosures. The whole signing typically takes 45 to 90 minutes. Once both parties have signed and your lender funds the loan, the title company disburses proceeds to the seller and records the deed with the county. At that point, you get the keys.
In Texas, "closing" and "funding" sometimes happen on different days, particularly with some lenders. Confirm with your title company and lender exactly when possession transfers so there are no surprises on moving day.
The 30 to 45 days between contract and closing involve more moving parts than most buyers expect, but each step follows a predictable sequence. Working with a licensed Texas buyer's agent who communicates deadlines clearly makes the process significantly less stressful — and reduces the risk of costly missteps along the way.