Buying a home before the holidays: plan the timeline

If you hope to be in a home before the holidays, the loan timeline matters more than the calendar suggests. A mortgage involves an appraisal, requests for documents from you and title work, and each step has its own timing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that your lender normally orders the appraisal and that you should receive a copy no later than three days before closing.

Delays such as an appraisal coming back late are ordinary, and starting early leaves room for them. Ask each person involved for a timeline in writing so nothing is left to memory.

Kimberli can map a realistic timeline for buyers in Katy, Cinco Ranch and Cypress, and tell you honestly if waiting until January makes more sense. Gathering recent pay stubs or bank statements, tax returns and a photo ID before the first conversation helps. Your agent and your title company can also tell you how long their own steps usually take.

RelatedFast pre-approval · First-time homebuyer program