What happens after my offer is accepted?

Acceptance starts the period between contract and closing — in California this stretch is commonly called “being in escrow.” Your earnest money deposit is placed with the escrow holder. Your lender begins full underwriting and will ask for documents; answering quickly keeps the timeline on track.

You schedule the home inspection within the window your contract allows and decide how to respond to what it finds. The lender orders the appraisal. You shop for homeowners insurance and review the title work. The seller delivers the written disclosures California requires for most residential sales, and you read them. Watch for revised Loan Estimates if anything about the loan changes.

At least three business days before closing you receive the Closing Disclosure, which you should compare with your Loan Estimate. Then a final walk-through, signing, funding and recording. The Closing guide walks through each step, including how to protect yourself from wire-fraud scams.