What Happens After My Offer Is Accepted?

You're Under Contract. Now What?

Getting your offer accepted is exciting, but you're not at the finish line quite yet. Once the seller accepts your offer, you're officially under contract and several important steps begin.

The exact process depends on the terms of your purchase agreement, but most Kitsap County home purchases follow a similar path from mutual acceptance to closing.

Earnest Money and Inspection

One of the first deadlines is typically your earnest money deposit. This is money you agreed to deposit as part of your offer and is generally applied toward your purchase at closing.

If your offer includes an inspection contingency, you'll also schedule your home inspection within the timeframe outlined in the contract. Depending on the property, you may want additional inspections for septic, sewer, well, pests, or other systems.

After reviewing the results, you may have options under your contract to accept the property, request repairs or credits, renegotiate, or terminate the transaction.

Financing and Appraisal

While you're working through inspections, your lender is working on your mortgage.

You'll provide any additional documents requested by underwriting, and your lender will typically order an appraisal. The appraisal helps determine whether the home's value supports the purchase price for financing purposes.

This is also a terrible time to finance a new car, open a credit card, change jobs without talking to your lender, or make another major financial move. Keep your finances as consistent as possible until after closing.

Title and Escrow

Escrow acts as a neutral third party and helps coordinate the financial side of closing. The title company reviews ownership records and identifies liens or other title issues that need to be addressed.

You'll also work toward securing homeowners insurance and completing any remaining requirements from your lender.

The Final Walkthrough and Closing

Shortly before closing, you'll typically complete a final walkthrough to confirm the home's condition and verify that any agreed-upon work has been completed.

You'll then sign your closing documents and provide the remaining funds required for the purchase. In Washington, signing doesn't necessarily mean you own the home yet. The transaction must fund and record with the county before ownership officially transfers.

As a Kitsap County real estate agent, one of my biggest jobs after your offer is accepted is keeping track of these deadlines, communicating with everyone involved, and making sure you're prepared for each step until I can finally hand you the keys.