Days 1–3: Earnest Money and Option Fee to the Title Company

The clock starts on the contract's effective date — the date both parties have signed. Within 3 days, you need to deliver both your earnest money deposit and your option fee to the agreed-upon title company. In Texas, both payments go to the title company (a change from older contract forms, which sent the option fee directly to the seller).

The option fee is what activates your option period — the window during which you can terminate the contract for any reason and get your earnest money back. The earnest money is a larger deposit held in escrow until closing or release. Don't miss this 3-day window; failure to deliver is grounds for the seller to void the contract.

For a detailed breakdown of how both deposits work and what puts them at risk, see the guide to earnest money in Texas.

Days 1–7 (or 1–10): The Option Period — Inspections and Decisions

This is your protected window. Schedule your home inspector immediately — ideally on day one or two. TREC-licensed inspectors in the Rockwall area book up fast, and you want the report back with time to process the results and negotiate before the option period expires.

At minimum, get a general inspection. Depending on the property, you may also want:

• A foundation evaluation — particularly important in North Texas given the region's expansive clay soils
• A pool inspection if the property has one
• A sewer scope for homes built before the mid-1980s
• A roof inspection if the general inspector flags concerns
• An HVAC specialist if the systems are older

Once you have the inspection results, you have three options: proceed as-is, request repairs or a price reduction, or terminate and get your earnest money back. Termination during the option period is unconditional — you don't need a reason, and your earnest money is fully protected. After the option period ends, that changes.

For a full explanation of how the option period works and what your rights are, see the Texas option period guide for Rockwall and DFW buyers.

Days 5–14: Appraisal Ordered

Your lender orders the appraisal — usually after the option period ends or sometimes simultaneously. The appraiser is an independent third party who visits the property and determines whether its market value supports the price you agreed to pay.

If the appraisal comes in at or above your purchase price, you move forward with no changes. If it comes in low, you have options: renegotiate the price with the seller, make up the difference in cash, or — if your contract includes an appraisal contingency — invoke it and exit with your earnest money.

In the current Rockwall County and Northeast Dallas market, most homes in well-supported price ranges appraise without issue. Where you're more likely to see an appraisal gap is on properties that were priced aggressively in a competitive offer situation.

Days 7–25: Loan Processing and Underwriting

This is the stage that determines whether your deal closes on time — and it depends almost entirely on how quickly you respond to your lender. When underwriting requests documents, respond the same day. Delays on your end cascade into closing delays.

During this period: do not open new credit accounts, do not make large purchases, do not change jobs, and do not move large sums of money between accounts without notifying your lender first. Any of these can trigger a re-review that stalls underwriting.

Your lender will issue a Loan Commitment once underwriting conditionally approves your file. From there, you work through any remaining conditions until you reach Clear to Close.

Days 10–25: Title Search and HOA Resale Certificate

While you're navigating inspections and underwriting, the title company is doing its own work. The title search examines public records to confirm the seller has clear, marketable title — no outstanding liens, judgments, unpaid taxes, or conflicting ownership claims that need to be resolved before you can take ownership.

Most title searches come back clean. When they don't, the title company works with the seller to resolve any clouds on title before closing. In rare cases, unresolvable title issues can kill a deal — which is exactly why title insurance exists.

If the property has an HOA, the seller is responsible for ordering the HOA resale certificate — a document that discloses current dues, assessments, reserve fund balances, any violations on the property, and the HOA's rules and financials. In Texas, this is ordered after contract execution, not before listing. Review it carefully; it tells you the financial health of the HOA and any open issues with the property. For a full breakdown, see the guide to HOA resale certificates in Texas.

Days 15–25: Survey

In Texas, it's common for a survey to be ordered as part of the transaction — either a new survey or an existing survey the seller provides. The survey confirms the property's legal boundaries, identifies encroachments, and locates easements that affect the land. The survey is reviewed by the title company and required by most lenders to issue title insurance. For more on how surveys work and who typically pays in Texas, see the Texas property survey guide.

Days 25–30: Clear to Close and Closing Disclosure

When your lender has satisfied all underwriting conditions, they issue Clear to Close. At that point, the title company prepares the final closing documents and issues your Closing Disclosure — a detailed breakdown of every dollar changing hands at closing.

Federal law requires you to receive the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before you sign. Compare it line by line against the Loan Estimate you received when you applied. If anything looks different — a fee increased significantly, a credit disappeared — ask your lender to explain it before you show up at the table.

You'll also need to wire your closing funds to the title company in advance. Do not wire money based on instructions received only by email — always confirm wiring instructions directly with the title company using a phone number you look up independently. Wire fraud targeting real estate closings is one of the most common financial scams in the country.

Closing Day: Final Walk-Through, Signing, and Keys

Before heading to the title company, do your final walk-through — typically the morning of closing or the day before. Confirm the property is in the same condition as when you went under contract, any agreed-upon repairs were completed, and the sellers have vacated.

At the title company, you'll sign the deed of trust, promissory note, and a variety of disclosures. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Signing usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.

After you sign, the title company sends loan documents to your lender for funding authorization. Once the lender releases funds and the deed is recorded with the county — you get the keys. In most Rockwall County closings, funding and recording happen the same day you sign.