- Find a Real Estate Professional
- Realtors®
- Mortgage Lenders
- Home Improvement Pros
- Other Real Estate Services
- Review an Agent, Lender or Pro
- Marketing on Zillow
- Real Estate Agent Advertising
- Join the Professional Directory
- Popular
- Real Estate Market Reports
- More
Answers (7)
- Cheryl Talbot Real Estate, "Virginia Beach Homes"
- Contributions:674
You most certainly can pick the date to close but keep in mind it takes at least 45 days from the time you ratify a contract on a home. That means you have found a home, you have made an offer and you have negotiated it with the seller and you have ratified the deal. It does take time to figure out where you want to live and what you will be able to spend. It would not be too early to talk with a lender. If you can lay the ground work now, it will make the process go that much smoother as you do find a home and need to move from your rental to your new home. Good Luck!!
- Sherri Bloom, "Sherri Bloom"
- Contributions:60
Hi. I think now is a great time to start looking. May will be here before you know it and once you do find a home, the process can take at least a month and usually longer, to close. There can be a downside to putting your closing date out too far. For instance, if there are multiple offers on the home, the seller could look at the closing date and go with the one closing sooner, even if that offer price is lower. It just depends on the seller's situation, and what things are most important to the seller. I say start looking now and May 15th will be just about right for you to close. Good luck!
- Suzie Crudo, "Wholenewattitude"
- Contributions:16
It I would start looking now for May.
What if you find an approved short slae you really want?.That will totally change your direction and plans if the closings to not work out.If you determine the savings is so great and the house is such a deal you may not care about the distress a temporary more or adjustment in plans could casue.I see it all the time.
If it is a traditional sale,it will all depend on the offer ,terms and the needs of all parties.
If that is a priority to you,it needs to be presented as such.You can present that in your offer and it can be told to the listing agent that term is firm.
I LIKE to hear feedback from a seller.What if the closing date doesnot matter to them as long as they get full price,As-is,or another term.
You may have to give the sellers something that is important to THEM to secure the date you need.
There is always a compromise.Start with your most important term that cannot change.( keeping in mind most financed sales need 30-40 days for Loan committment and clear to close)
Keep the contract stronger in other areas if the closing date is longer than they want,then you will be worth waiting for.
Good luck
What if you find an approved short slae you really want?.That will totally change your direction and plans if the closings to not work out.If you determine the savings is so great and the house is such a deal you may not care about the distress a temporary more or adjustment in plans could casue.I see it all the time.
If it is a traditional sale,it will all depend on the offer ,terms and the needs of all parties.
If that is a priority to you,it needs to be presented as such.You can present that in your offer and it can be told to the listing agent that term is firm.
I LIKE to hear feedback from a seller.What if the closing date doesnot matter to them as long as they get full price,As-is,or another term.
You may have to give the sellers something that is important to THEM to secure the date you need.
There is always a compromise.Start with your most important term that cannot change.( keeping in mind most financed sales need 30-40 days for Loan committment and clear to close)
Keep the contract stronger in other areas if the closing date is longer than they want,then you will be worth waiting for.
Good luck
- Matt Hiatt, "Matt Hiatt"
- Contributions:111
It all depends on the seller. The typical escrow time is usually 30-45 days. Here in Phoenix, since we are low on inventory and getting multiple offers on homes, most sellers are taking offers with the quickest close of escrow date. Where as a year ago they would have accepted a long escrow, with the market changes, most are not. If you put an offer in on a short sale, they usually take at least 3 months, but you do risk it taking longer, shorter, or not going through at all. A good agent should help advise you. Good luck.
- Brian Teyssier, "Brian Teyssier GRI"
- Contributions:964
Great question "Inpangelstar" and one I bet a lot of 1st time home buyers do not know the answer to!
The buyer will choose their closing/settlement date when the offer is written. The buyer should consult with their lender to make sure the rate can be locked, etc.... The closing date has to work for both the seller, buyer and agents (so they can do a walk-through with buyer & attend closing) so the date it a point of negotiation.
In your situation, I recommend selecting a Realtor soon and at least get "the ball rolling".
Thanks for posting your question on Zillow & good luck! Hope we helped here.
P.S. If you need help selecting a good Realtor, contact me.
The buyer will choose their closing/settlement date when the offer is written. The buyer should consult with their lender to make sure the rate can be locked, etc.... The closing date has to work for both the seller, buyer and agents (so they can do a walk-through with buyer & attend closing) so the date it a point of negotiation.
In your situation, I recommend selecting a Realtor soon and at least get "the ball rolling".
Thanks for posting your question on Zillow & good luck! Hope we helped here.
P.S. If you need help selecting a good Realtor, contact me.
- John Taylor, "JohnATaylor"
- Contributions:17
Yes , you put that in as part of the requirements when you submit your offer. Finding an agent to help you is the next step the sooner the better. Let me know if I can assit or answer any questions. I have contacts across the us to assit you if needed.
- jrtpapa
- Contributions:84
If you do encounter a house soon, simply write into your bid that it is contingent on a close date of 5-15-12. that's only 3 months away, doesn't seem too long. i myself am thinking of bidding on a house tomorrow and state that the closing date will be 6-30-12. Either the seller is OK with that, or not. If not, and time goes by and the house hasn't sold, well then you call them and say your offer still stands.
Do we get to choose our closing date as the buyer?
If we find a house too soon are we able to say we want to close on May 15? We do not want to rush into trying to find a house and close it. However, we also do not want to be forced to close on a house too soon causing our rents and mortgage to overlap (our leases expire June 30).
Thanks in advance
Stating a discriminatory preference in an advertisement for housing is illegal. If you think this content is discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate and feel it should be removed from Zillow, please let us know by completing the information above.
We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.