What Happens After You Go Under Contract? (Step by Step, No Surprises)
Going under contract is exciting… and then immediately after, most people have the same thought: “Okay wait—what happens now? Here’s what it actually looks like after you go under contract—step by step—so you know what to expect (and what’s totally normal).
Step 1: Earnest Money + Opening Escrow
Right after you go under contract, the first thing that happens is you’ll submit your earnest money deposit. This is basically showing you’re serious about the purchase, and it gets held by escrow (not the seller).
At the same time:
Escrow is officially opened
You’ll start getting a few emails with documents to review and sign
Nothing stressful here—just getting everything set up behind the scenes.
Step 2: The Inspection Period (aka the emotional rollercoaster)
This is usually the first big step—and the one that makes people the most nervous. You’ll schedule a home inspection, and the inspector will go through everything:
Roof
Electrical
Plumbing
HVAC
All the small stuff you wouldn’t notice
And here’s the part I always prep people for: Every inspection will find things. Even on really nice homes.
The goal isn’t a perfect report—it’s understanding:
What’s normal wear and tear
What’s worth negotiating
What’s not a big deal
From there, you typically have a few options:
Ask for repairs
Ask for a credit
Move forward as-is
Or in some cases, walk away
This is where having a good agent really matters—so you’re not overreacting to small things or overlooking bigger ones.
Step 3: Appraisal
If you’re getting a loan, your lender will order an appraisal. This is where a third party determines the value of the home to make sure it matches the purchase price.
Three possible outcomes:
It comes in at value → great, move forward
It comes in higher → bonus (instant equity)
It comes in low → we pause and figure out next steps
If it’s low, there are options—but it’s something we navigate together if it comes up. I wrote about that in this blog post.
Step 4: Loan + Financing Process
While all of this is happening, your lender is working behind the scenes to finalize your loan.
This part can feel a little repetitive because you may be asked for:
Updated pay stubs
Bank statements
Explanations for certain deposits
It’s normal—even if you feel like you already sent everything. The goal is getting you to final loan approval (also called “clear to close”).
Step 5: Title + Escrow Work
This is the quieter part you don’t see much of, but it’s important.
Escrow and the title company are:
Verifying ownership
Checking for liens
Preparing all your closing documents
If anything comes up (which is rare, but it happens), it gets resolved before closing.
Step 6: Final Walkthrough
This usually happens a few days before closing.
You’ll walk through the home and make sure:
It’s in the condition you expected
Any agreed-upon repairs were completed
Nothing has changed since you last saw it
It’s not another inspection—it’s just a final check before everything becomes official.
Step 7: Signing + Closing Day
This is the part everyone looks forward to. You’ll sign your final documents (usually a day or two before closing), and then:
Funds are transferred
The home officially records
And you get the keys
And just like that… you’re a homeowner.
Most of this process is pretty straightforward—but it can feel like a lot if you don’t know what’s coming.
The biggest things I always tell clients:
Don’t panic during the inspection
Expect your lender to ask for more documents
Ask questions anytime something feels unclear
There are a lot of moving pieces, but none of them should feel like a surprise.
