California Escrow Process for Buyers and Sellers
Understand the typical path from accepted offer through recording and closing, with separate expectations for buyers and sellers.
The exact steps, documents, deadlines, and responsibilities depend on the contract, lender, title, escrow holder, and property.
The California escrow timeline
- Accepted offer and opening escrow
- Earnest-money deposit and initial instructions
- Disclosures, inspections, and document review
- Loan processing, appraisal, and title work
- Contingency decisions and negotiated repairs
- Final loan approval and closing conditions
- Signing, funding, recording, and closing
What buyers should expect
Stay in contact with the lender, complete inspections on time, review disclosures, provide documents promptly, track contingencies, and confirm funds and insurance requirements. Do not assume an appraisal or inspection guarantees condition or value.
What sellers should expect
Provide disclosures and records, maintain the property, coordinate access, respond to repair discussions, and track title, payoff, signing, funding, and move-out timing. Confirm obligations with the escrow holder and appropriate professionals.
A helpful closing checklist
Ask who holds the deposit, which deadlines are active, what documents remain, whether the lender has cleared conditions, when signing and funding are scheduled, and when recording makes the transfer effective. Your contract and escrow instructions control the transaction.
This is general educational information, not legal, escrow, tax, lending, or transaction-specific advice. Follow your contract and consult the appropriate licensed professionals.
Buy & Sell ProcessTalk with Luan
Written or reviewed by Luan Nguyen · Realty Savers · REALTOR® Lic. #02085342 · Mortgage Loan Originator Lic. #1940203