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How long does it take to buy a home in Washington State, on average? This is a common question among first-time buyers, and we’ve covered it at length below. We’ve given you a short answer, followed by an in-depth explanation of the buying process.
Are you thinking of buying a home in Washington State some time soon? If so, you may be wondering how long the process will take from the moment you start your home search from the moment you seal a deal. Let’s get into this in greater detail.
Short answer: It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to buy a home in Washington State, depending on the circumstances.
Housing hunting is one of the biggest variables. Some buyers find a suitable property within days, while others search for many weeks to find the right house. There are other variables as well, and they are explained in detail below.
But there are many variables at work here, and they can influence the time it takes to purchase a house in Washington State. Financing is one of those variables. So let’s talk about that next.
Related: Home buying process in Washington
Will you need a mortgage loan to buy a home in Washington State? This can affect how long it takes you to close. Cash buyers tend to have more flexibility in terms of their closing dates, simply because they don’t have to wait for mortgage underwriting and approval.
Using a home loan won’t necessarily slow you down. It just adds a few more steps to the process.
In Washington State, the average escrow period (between offer acceptance and final closing) generally lasts for 30 – 60 days. This usually provides ample time for mortgage processing and underwriting.
According to Ellie Mae, a company whose software is used to process millions of home loans each year, it takes an average of 45 days to close a purchase mortgage loan. But that’s just an average — it can be done faster than this.
If the mortgage underwriter identifies issues or “conditions” that must be resolved prior to approval, the process can take longer. Again, it varies from one home buyer to the next.
Some people rush into the house-hunting stage before they’ve even spoken to a mortgage lender. As a result, they might spend a lot of time looking at homes that are above their price range.
This is just one reason why it makes sense to get pre-approved for a loan before shopping for a home. It helps you narrow down the market by price point, which can be a real time saver.
There are other benefits as well. Real estate agents will be more willing to work with you if you’ve been pre-approved by a lender. More importantly, sellers will be more inclined to accept your offer (compared to a buyer who doesn’t have a pre-approval letter).
Researching the local real estate market can also help you speed up the home buying process. Start with sales prices. Spend some time on the big property listing websites, like Realtor.com and Trulia, reviewing recent sales prices in the area where you want to buy.
You want to enter the market with price awareness, and a sense of what you can buy within your budget. This will save you time during the house hunting process. It will also help you make a smart offer based on current market conditions.
Now you can see why it’s hard to answer the question: How long does it take to buy a home in Washington State?
There are a lot of variables that can affect timing, and the process varies from one home buyer to the next. It might take a few weeks, or a few months, depending on your circumstances.
But there are things you can do to speed up the process. Have your financing lined up before you start shopping for a home. Research the local real estate market, so you can move quickly with an offer when the right house comes along. Work with an experienced real estate agent who knows the market.
In short, be prepared and proactive for a smoother home buying experience.
If you are looking to buy a home soon and need a mortgage to fund this big purchase, we can help. Sammamish Mortgage is a trusted mortgage company that helps countless borrowers throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. We have several mortgage programs for you to choose from. Get in touch with us today to get the mortgage process started or simply to have your questions answered!
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.