How long does a Georgia closing actually take?

Most financed residential purchases in Georgia close in 30 to 45 days from the Binding Agreement Date. Cash deals can move considerably faster. What actually sets the pace is rarely the closing attorney -- it is the lender's timeline and what the title examination turns up.

The clock, in order

• Day 0 — Binding Agreement Date. Every deadline below counts from here.
• Days 1-10 (typical) — due diligence period: inspections, title review, the buyer's unrestricted right to walk away
• Days 5-30 — loan application and underwriting, appraisal ordered and returned
• Days 20-30 — financing commitment deadline; the lender issues a clear-to-close
• Day 30-45 — closing: documents signed, funds disbursed, deed recorded

What actually causes delay

Rarely the closing itself. The common causes are a title examination that turns up a defect requiring curative work, an appraisal that comes in under contract price, or a lender's underwriting conditions that take longer than expected to satisfy. All three are things we flag the moment we see them, not the week of closing.

Where our GAR calculator fits in

Because the whole timeline runs off one date -- Binding Agreement -- rather than the signing date, it is easy to lose track of which deadline is coming up. Our contract deadline calculator takes your actual contract numbers and lays out every date so nothing catches you by surprise.