A closing isn’t a black box. From the day you go under contract to the day the county records your deed, here’s what we’re doing on your file — and where a quick reply from your side keeps it moving. Title work turns around in three business days, and when it’s needed we’ve closed files in as little as two weeks — backed by 20,000+ closings since 2002.
The timeline — contract to closing
- Day 0 · Under contract. Your signed contract lands with us — we open title & escrow, deposit your earnest money, and put our local examiners on the search. Your invitation to Qualia (our secure workflow platform) goes out at file open, wire instructions included. Always verify wiring details by phone before sending funds.
- Day 3 · Title commitment delivered. Your commitment lands in three business days — what we’ll insure, what’s owed against the property, and anything that needs clearing before closing.
- The clearing window · Curative work. More than half of local residential sales need something cleared — old deeds of trust, estates, surveys, access. We handle the legwork; this is the window where a quick signature or document from your side matters most.
- Mid-stream · Coordination. Loan payoffs ordered, taxes and HOA figures gathered, and — on financed deals — numbers worked with your lender so the figures land right the first time.
- Closing week · Figures & signing set. The week before closing we schedule the signing around you and send final figures — no surprises at the table.
- Closing day · Sign, fund, record. Sign at the table — about 80% of our closings are in person, and we accommodate mail-away and mobile notaries. Funds disburse, the county records your deed. Then: keys.
Help it move faster — respond quickly when we ask for a signature or document; tell us on day one if a trust, entity, POA, or estate is involved; and on raw land or anything odd — wells, easements, old surveys — ask us early. We’ll handle the heavy lifting.
Two example files — how the weeks lay out
- Purchase — financed, 30-day contractDay 0 under contract (earnest money in, title opened) · Day 3 commitment out to all parties · Weeks 1–3 curative and lender underwriting run in parallel · ~Day 20 clear to close, signing scheduled · Day 30 sign, fund, record. Keys.
- Refinance — primary homeDay 0 lender opens the title order · Day 3 commitment delivered to your lender · Weeks 1–2 payoff ordered, lender finalizes approval · Signing day sign at the table, mobile, or mail-away · +3 business days the federal 3-day wait ends, loan funds and records.
Common questions
How long does a closing take?
Title work turns around in three business days from a complete contract, and a typical financed purchase runs about 30 days start to finish. When it’s needed, we’ve closed files in as little as two weeks.
What slows a closing down the most?
Curative work — more than half of local sales need something cleared, like an old deed of trust, an estate, or an access question. The single biggest way to keep your file moving is a fast reply when we ask for a signature or document.
Do I have to sign in person?
No. About 80% of our closings happen in person, but we accommodate mail-away and mobile-notary signings when that’s easier for you.
Turn times are typical, not guaranteed — every file is different; example timelines are illustrative only, and your contract dates govern. Policies underwritten through First American and Westcor (WLTIC). Educational only — not legal advice. As of August 2026.
