Contract to Closing
Offer accepted, now what? The plain-English playbook.
Your offer is accepted, and the real work begins: earnest money, inspections, financing, title, insurance, and a calendar full of dates. This guide walks through each piece in plain English, based on general Texas practice as of September 2026. Your contract's specific dates and terms always govern, and Sharcom Realty Group tracks every one of them for you, which is the whole point of having a broker between contract day and closing.
The Timeline
From signed contract to keys in six moves.
Most Texas transactions close in 30 to 45 days. What actually happens inside those weeks follows the pattern below, with exact dates set by your contract.
01
Contract signed
Both parties sign and the contract date is set. Your earnest money is deposited, and every deadline in the contract starts counting from this date, usually in calendar days.
02
Option period
In Texas, the buyer typically pays for an option period, commonly 7 to 10 days, to run inspections and decide whether to proceed. The buyer can terminate for any reason during this window and keep the option fee; earnest money is refundable.
03
Inspections and repairs
The home inspection happens fast, usually within the first days of the option period. Findings are negotiated as repairs, a credit, or a price adjustment, all in writing, before the option period ends.
04
Financing and appraisal
Your lender orders the appraisal, and the title company opens the file and searches the title. Any appraisal shortfall or title issue gets resolved here, while your loan is underwritten toward final approval.
05
Final walk-through
Usually within a day or two of closing, the buyer confirms the home is in the agreed condition, that agreed repairs were done, and that the seller has moved out and left the home clean.
06
Closing day
At closing, funds are wired, documents are signed at the title company, and ownership officially transfers. The buyer receives the keys, and the seller receives net proceeds, typically within a day or two.
This timeline reflects general Texas practice per the standard TREC contract forms. Your specific contract may add financing deadlines, survey requirements, or HOA approvals, so always read your own contract's dates and ask your broker to flag anything unusual.
The Pieces
The five things everyone asks about.
Earnest money
A good-faith deposit, typically 1% to 3% of the price in Texas, held by the title company while the contract is active. It sits in escrow and is credited toward your down payment at closing, or refunded if the contract terminates under its terms. The exact amount and refund rules are written in the contract, so review them before you sign.
Inspections
The option period exists so you can inspect before you are committed. A general home inspection covers structure, systems, and major components, and Texas buyers often add specialist inspections for termites, foundation, sewer, or roofing depending on the home and the area. Every finding is negotiable within the option window.
Financing
Your loan moves from pre-approval to full underwriting after the contract is signed. The appraisal is ordered, documents are requested, and the lender issues a final clear-to-close once everything verifies. Your rate lock and your closing disclosure should both be reviewed carefully before closing day.
Title
A Texas title company examines the ownership history, clears liens and claims, and issues title insurance protecting the lender (and typically the owner) against defects in the title. Title work is one of the few costs in Texas with state-regulated rates, and the title company also runs the closing itself.
Insurance
Homeowners insurance must usually be in place before closing, with the first year's premium often paid at the table. In flood-prone areas, flood insurance may be required by your lender, so confirm both policies and their premiums before you are under contract deadlines.
Your timeline
A typical Texas contract closes in 30 to 45 days, but the real schedule lives in your contract's dates: option period, financing commitment, appraisal, and closing. Missed deadlines have real consequences, which is exactly why buyers and sellers work with a broker who tracks every date.
What your broker does between signature and keys.
The days between contract and closing are where transactions get won or lost. Your Sharcom broker lines up the inspector, coordinates with the lender and title company, tracks every deadline on the contract calendar, negotiates repair requests in writing, and stays on the file until the keys are in your hand. If a date slips or a document stalls, you hear about it the same day, not at closing.
- Option deadlines and repair negotiations handled on time, every time
- Appraisal, title, and underwriting tracked to closing day
- Closing disclosure reviewed line by line before you sign
Talk to Sharon
Under contract and counting down? Good. Let's keep the dates straight.
Sharon Yeary has guided thousands of Texas contracts to closing over 27 years, and her office treats the period between signature and keys as the most important weeks in the transaction. Tell her team where your closing stands and they will confirm every remaining deadline with you.
Sharon Yeary
Associate Broker with eXp Realty
27 years of experience in Texas real estate, managing contracts, inspections, and closings for buyers and sellers across Houston, Katy, and Dallas-Fort Worth.
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