Photo · The scariest part of buying a first home is the unknown — the month between 'they accepted!' and 'here are your keys' feels like a black box. It isn't. It's a well-worn sequence of steps, each with a clear owner and a predictable timeframe. Once you can see the whole path, the waiting stops feeling like limbo and starts feeling like progress.
A typical Florida purchase closes in 30 to 45 days from accepted offer. Cash deals can close in two weeks; complicated files can run longer. Here's how the time gets spent.
Offer to keys — the full sequence
- 01
Offer accepted
Day 0Both sides sign the purchase contract. You deliver your earnest-money deposit (typically 1%–3%) to escrow — proof you're serious. The clock on every contingency starts now.
- 02
Under contract & inspection
Days 1–10You hire an inspector to examine the home top to bottom. This is your window to learn the truth about roof, systems, and structure — and to renegotiate or walk based on what's found, if you kept the inspection contingency.
- 03
Appraisal ordered
Days 7–21Your lender orders an independent appraisal to confirm the home is worth what you agreed to pay. If it appraises low, you renegotiate, bring extra cash, or — with an appraisal contingency — walk away.
- 04
Underwriting
Days 10–30The lender's underwriter verifies everything: income, assets, credit, the appraisal, and title. Expect requests for documents. Respond fast — this is where deals speed up or stall.
- 05
Clear to close
Days 25–40Underwriting signs off. You'll receive a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing showing your exact final numbers. Review it line by line against your loan estimate.
- 06
Final walkthrough
Day before closingYou walk the home one last time to confirm it's in the agreed condition and any negotiated repairs were made. Bring this checklist; it's your last chance to flag a problem.
- 07
Closing day
Closing dayYou sign the final documents, your down payment and closing costs are wired, the deed records, and the keys are yours. In Florida, closings are typically handled by a title company or real-estate attorney.
Who's actually in the room
A surprising number of people work your file at once. Knowing the cast keeps you from feeling alone in it.
Your transaction team
| Role | What they do for you |
|---|---|
| Your broker / agent | Negotiates, coordinates, and keeps every deadline on track |
| Loan officer | Owns your financing and shepherds it through underwriting |
| Inspector | Tells you the real condition of the home before you commit |
| Appraiser | Independently values the home for the lender |
| Title / closing agent | Confirms clear ownership and runs the closing in Florida |
| Underwriter | The lender's decision-maker who issues the final approval |
Keeping your closing on schedule
- Return every lender document the same day it's requested
- Keep funds liquid and ready to wire days before closing
- Read the Closing Disclosure against your loan estimate
- Schedule the final walkthrough — never skip it
- Disappear on a vacation during underwriting
- Wait until closing day to question a number
- Wire money based on an emailed change of instructions (verify by phone — wire fraud is real)
- Assume silence means everything's fine — ask your broker for status
Timeline questions
How long does it take to close on a house?
A financed Florida purchase typically closes in 30 to 45 days from an accepted offer. Cash deals can close in about two weeks. The biggest variable is how fast you and the lender move documents through underwriting.
What happens at the closing table?
You sign the mortgage and closing documents, your down payment and closing costs are wired in, the title company records the deed in your name, and you receive the keys. In Florida this is usually run by a title company or real-estate attorney rather than the lender.
What is earnest money and do I get it back?
Earnest money is a good-faith deposit (often 1%–3%) you place in escrow when your offer is accepted. It's credited toward your down payment and closing costs at closing. You only lose it if you cancel for a reason your contingencies don't protect.
What is a clear to close?
It means the underwriter has approved your loan and you're ready to schedule closing. You'll then receive a Closing Disclosure at least three business days beforehand with your exact final figures to review.