One of the most common questions first-time home buyers ask is: “How long does it take to buy a house?”

The answer? It depends!

The home-buying process can take anywhere from two to six months, depending on how quickly you get pre-approved, find the right home, and move through escrow.

If you’re planning to buy in Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, or anywhere in Ventura County, this guide will give you a realistic timeline and explain what can speed up or slow down the process.

How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home? A Step-by-Step Timeline

Stage	Estimated Timeframe	What Happens During This Step?
Step 1: Get Pre-Approved	1-2 weeks	Gather financial documents, lender reviews credit and income, issues pre-approval letter.
Step 2: House Hunting & Making an Offer	2-8 weeks	Search for homes, attend showings, submit an offer.
Step 3: Offer Accepted & Escrow Opens	1-2 days	Buyer and seller sign contract, earnest money is deposited.
Step 4: Home Inspection & Appraisal	1-3 weeks	Home is inspected for issues, appraisal ensures the home’s value matches the price.
Step 5: Loan Underwriting & Final Approval	3-4 weeks	Lender verifies finances, ensures home meets loan guidelines, issues final loan approval.
Step 6: Closing Day & Move-In!	1 week	Buyer signs final documents, funds are transferred, homeownership is official!

Total estimated time: 2-6 months

Some buyers find a home quickly and close within 60 days, while others spend months searching for the right home. Let’s break down each phase and what might speed it up or slow it down.

Step 1: Getting Pre-Approved (1-2 Weeks)

Before you start looking at homes, you need to get pre-approved by a lender. This process ensures you know exactly how much home you can afford and that sellers take your offer seriously.

✔ What Happens During Pre-Approval?

Your lender reviews your credit score, income, and financial history.
You provide documents like tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements.
The lender issues a pre-approval letter, which you’ll include with your offers.

✔ What Can Slow This Step Down?

Credit issues that need to be fixed before you qualify.
High debt-to-income ratio (you may need to pay down debts first).
Missing paperwork—the lender needs full documentation before approval.

Pro Tip: Speaking with a lender early can help identify any potential issues. If you need a recommendation, I can connect you with great lenders who will guide you through the process.

Step 2: House Hunting & Making an Offer (2-8 Weeks)

Now for the fun part—finding the right home!

✔ How Long Does House Hunting Take?
Most buyers view 8-12 homes before making an offer, but it depends on:

The market – In competitive markets, homes sell fast, so you may need to act quickly.
Your search criteria – The more specific you are, the longer it may take to find the right home.
Availability of homes – In some seasons, fewer homes are on the market.

✔ How to Speed This Step Up:

Be clear about your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves before searching.
Work with a knowledgeable real estate agent (like me!) to find homes faster.
Be flexible—the perfect home might not exist, but the right one is out there.

👉 Related: What to Look for in Your First Home

Step 3: Offer Accepted & Escrow Opens (1-2 Days)

Once your offer is accepted, escrow officially begins! This is the phase where money is held by a neutral third party while details are finalized.

✔ What Happens in Escrow?

You submit an earnest money deposit (usually 1-3% of the home price).
The seller agrees to remove the home from the market.
Timelines for inspections, appraisals, and loan processing are set.

✔ What Can Slow This Step Down?

Multiple offer situations – If you’re in a bidding war, negotiations can take longer.
Counteroffers – If terms need adjusting, back-and-forth negotiations can extend the timeline.

Step 4: Home Inspection & Appraisal (1-3 Weeks)

These are two of the most important steps to protect your investment.

✔ Home Inspection:

A licensed inspector examines the home for defects (roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, etc.).
If issues are found, you can negotiate repairs or ask for a price reduction.

✔ Appraisal:

Required by lenders to confirm the home’s value matches the purchase price.
If the appraisal comes in low, you may need to renegotiate with the seller or cover the difference.

✔ What Can Slow This Step Down?

Scheduling delays – Inspectors and appraisers may be booked out in busy seasons.
Major repair issues – Negotiating repairs with the seller can add time.

Step 5: Loan Underwriting & Final Approval (3-4 Weeks)

This is the final step before closing, where your lender does a deep dive into your finances and the home’s details.

✔ What Happens in Underwriting?

The lender verifies your employment, income, and debts.
They confirm the home meets loan guidelines (especially for FHA, VA, or jumbo loans).
You receive a clear to close—the green light to finalize the purchase.

✔ What Can Slow This Step Down?

Large purchases or new debt – Buying a car or opening a new credit card can delay your loan approval.
Unresponsive employers – Lenders need to verify employment, and delays in responses can slow things down.
Title issues – Any claims, unpaid taxes, or ownership disputes can delay closing.

Step 6: Closing Day & Getting the Keys! (1 Week)

Once your loan is fully approved, it’s time to finalize everything and get your keys!

✔ What Happens on Closing Day?

You’ll sign the final documents (loan agreements, deed transfer, etc.).
Your down payment and closing costs are paid to the escrow company.
The sale is recorded, and you officially become a homeowner!

✔ What Can Slow This Step Down?

Last-minute loan conditions – The lender may need additional documents before final approval.
Delays in funding – Banks need to process and transfer funds before closing.

How to Buy a Home Faster

While the average home-buying process takes 2-6 months, you can speed things up by:
✔ Getting pre-approved early and having your financial documents ready.
✔ Working with an experienced real estate agent to find homes quickly.
✔ Being prepared for negotiations and inspections to keep escrow on track.