Getting Through Escrow

Your offer is accepted, now what?

Now the fun begins! Based on how the contract was written you have several checkpoints and deadlines to meet from the signing of the contract until the time of settlement.

• You want to make sure that you submit your mortgage application (if you haven’t done so already) within a certain time frame. Typically within 10 days.

• Did you request a home inspection? Home inspections are done at the buyers cost. Typically home inspections are completed within 15 days of the sales contract. Buyers typically attend the home inspection. Once the home inspection is complete and everything is fine, the contract will continue. If any issues arise from the home inspection, the buyer can walk away from the deal, choose to accept the property as-is, or negotiate with the seller to have any issues resolved or be compensated.

• Check with your mortgage person to see if they need any further documentation.

• Do you want a Home Warranty? You may want to take a day or two to think about it, do some research. A home warranty is worth it!

• Go about your normal day while your Realtor® and all parties involved perform their necessary duties.

• Three to five business days prior to settlement you may want to call and have all of your utilities transferred over to your new home.

• Prior to settlement, you will also have the right to do a final walk-through. This walk through typically takes place the day of or before settlement. In case of new construction, this could be as early has a week or two prior to settlement. The walk-through is to ensure that the homes condition has not materially changed since the sales agreement has been signed. For example, you negotiated a ceiling fan and window fixtures, the final walk-through will grant you the opportunity to see that those items are still there.