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For buyers · CaliforniaBuying a home in California: the steps and the deadlines

Most California home purchases use the C.A.R. Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA). After acceptance, the deposit goes to escrow within 3 business days; the seller delivers disclosures within 7 days; your investigation, appraisal and loan contingencies run 17 days by default and you remove each one in writing when you are satisfied. Then the Closing Disclosure arrives at least 3 business days before closing, you do a final verification of the home 5 days before close of escrow – and you get the keys.

Step by step

  1. Before the offer

    Pre-approval and your agent

    A lender pre-approval shows what you can borrow; your agent writes the offer on the RPA.

  2. Day 0

    Acceptance

    Day 1 is the next calendar day; deadlines end at 11:59 p.m.

  3. 3 business days

    Deposit to escrow

    Confirm wire instructions by phone at a known number.

  4. 7 days

    Seller disclosures

    Read every disclosure and report the seller delivers.

  5. 17 days

    Contingencies

    Inspections, appraisal and loan approval; remove each contingency in writing only when you are satisfied.

  6. 3 business days before closing

    Closing Disclosure

    Your final loan terms and costs.

  7. 5 days before close of escrow

    Final verification

    Check the home's condition.

  8. Close of escrow

    Recording and keys

    The deed is recorded and the keys are yours.

Protect your deposit

  • Do not remove a contingency before you have the reports, the appraisal and the loan approval it covers.
  • If you do not act by a deadline, the seller can give a Notice to Buyer to Perform with at least 2 days – then cancel.
  • If both sides initialed liquidated damages, a buyer who defaults may lose the deposit – up to 3 % of the price for a home of 1–4 units you will live in.
  • Never send money based on an email alone.

Questions buyers ask in California

How long are contingencies in California?

By default 17 days after acceptance for investigation, appraisal and loan, unless your contract says otherwise.

When is the deposit due?

Within 3 business days after acceptance under the RPA.

What does removing a contingency mean?

You confirm in writing that you are satisfied or waive the condition – after that you cannot cancel for that reason.

Can I lose my deposit?

If you default after removing contingencies; with liquidated damages initialed, the seller keeps at most 3 % of the price for a 1–4 unit home you will occupy.

Can the process be explained in Spanish?

Yes – ask your agent; ClosingCode sends status updates to buyers in English or Spanish.

Learn more

Agents and TCs: send this guide to your buyers – and keep them updated at every step in English or Spanish with ClosingCode.

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Sources: C.A.R. California Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA, revised 12/22) ¶3, ¶14, ¶29 and definitions; CFPB (Closing Disclosure timing); FBI IC3 (wire fraud). The days in your own contract decide.

General information for buyers, not legal advice. Ask your agent, lender or attorney about your own purchase. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.