Most home sales follow a familiar schedule. Here is what to expect, so you can plan your move with confidence.
2 to 4 weeks before listing: prepare
Meet with Rudy, review your valuation and marketing plan, complete repairs and cleaning, and schedule photography. This is also when you gather your disclosure documents.
Week 1: launch
Your home goes live on the MLS and across major websites with professional photos, video and a strong description. The first days often bring the most activity, with showings and an open house.
Weeks 1 to 2: offers
Offers are reviewed with you side by side, with price, terms and certainty compared. You can accept, counter or decline. See comparing offers.
Days 1 to 17 after acceptance: buyer's investigation
The buyer completes inspections and reviews disclosures. You may negotiate repairs or credits. Your agent handles the paperwork and deadlines.
Days 17 to 30: loan, appraisal and preparation
The buyer's lender finishes the appraisal and underwriting. You choose a mover, forward your mail and schedule utilities.
Closing
You sign the closing documents with escrow. When the buyer's lender funds the loan and the deed is recorded, escrow closes. You hand over the keys and receive your proceeds, usually within a day of recording.
Total time
From decision to closing, most sales take about two to three months, with roughly 30 days of that in escrow. Rudy gives you a personal calendar so you always know what is next.
More in Seller Guides
- Pricing Your Home: Comparable Sales, Appraisals and Online Estimates — How a smart price is set, and how to use online estimates, appraisals and comparable sales together.
- Getting Your Home Ready: What Pays Off — A short, smart to-do list: the improvements, cleaning and staging that help homes shine.
- Seller Disclosures: The Forms, Made Simple — The California disclosure forms sellers complete, and how to fill them out with confidence.
- What You Keep: Costs, Net Proceeds and Tax Basics — The costs of selling, how to estimate your net, and the federal home-sale exclusion explained.
- Selling and Buying Together: Contingencies, Bridge Options and Rent-Backs — How to coordinate a sale and a purchase so your move fits together smoothly.
- Comparing Offers: Price, Terms and Certainty — How to read offers side by side and pick the one most likely to close on your terms.
- Special Situations: Probate and Trust Sales, Tenants, ADUs and More — Guidance for estate and trust sales, homes with tenants, accessory dwelling units and other special cases.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Programs, rules and limits change, so confirm details with your lender, escrow officer, attorney or tax professional.