What Happens After I Accept an Offer on My House?

Short Answer

After you accept an offer, the contract is executed and the transaction moves into escrow. The buyer deposits earnest money, the inspection period begins, the buyer's lender (if financed) orders the appraisal and processes the loan, title and escrow work begins, and the parties work toward the agreed closing date. The specific sequence and deadlines are governed by your executed purchase contract. The transaction can still fall through if contingencies are not satisfied, financing falls through, or other contract terms are not met.

After Acceptance: Moving Into Escrow

Accepting an offer is a major milestone, but it is not the end of the process. Once the offer is accepted and the contract is executed, the transaction enters the escrow period—a sequence of steps governed by the contract terms that lead to closing.

Contract Execution

When you accept an offer, the contract is signed by both parties. The executed contract defines the rights and obligations of both buyer and seller, including deadlines, contingencies, and closing terms. Everything that follows is governed by what is in your executed contract.

Earnest Money Deposit

The buyer typically deposits earnest money with the title or escrow company according to the contract terms. Earnest money is a good-faith deposit that demonstrates the buyer's commitment to the transaction. If the buyer defaults without a contractual right to cancel, the earnest money may be at risk. If the transaction closes, the earnest money is typically applied toward the buyer's closing costs or purchase price. For more detail, see Who Holds Earnest Money When I Sell My Own House in Arizona?.

Inspection Period

The contract specifies an inspection period during which the buyer conducts due diligence on the property. The buyer may hire a professional home inspector, review documents, and investigate the property's condition. After the inspection, the buyer may request repairs, credits, or a price reduction—or may proceed without requesting changes.

For more detail, see How Does the Inspection Period Work in an Arizona Home Sale? and How Do I Handle a Buyer's Repair Requests After Inspection?.

Appraisal (Financed Offers)

If the buyer is financing the purchase, the lender typically orders an appraisal to confirm the property's value supports the loan amount. If the appraisal comes in at or above the purchase price, the financing process continues. If it comes in below, the contract terms determine what happens next—the buyer may need to bring additional cash, the parties may renegotiate, or the buyer may have cancellation rights depending on the contract and contingencies. See What Happens If the Appraisal Comes In Below the Purchase Price?.

Title and Escrow

The title or escrow company handles the closing process. For more on whether a title or escrow company is required, see Do I Need a Title or Escrow Company to Sell My Own House?.

• Title search: Verifies ownership and identifies any liens or encumbrances.
• Title insurance: Issues owner's and lender's title policies.
• Document preparation: Prepares the deed, settlement statement, and closing documents.
• Fund disbursement: Receives and disburses funds according to the contract.

Loan Processing and Underwriting (Financed Offers)

For financed purchases, the lender processes the loan, orders underwriting, and issues loan documents for the buyer to sign. This period can take several weeks and depends on the lender, loan type, and buyer's financial documentation.

Final Walkthrough

Shortly before closing, the buyer typically conducts a final walkthrough to confirm the property is in the agreed condition and any negotiated repairs have been completed.

Closing

At closing, the parties sign final documents, funds are disbursed, and the deed is recorded. The seller receives the net proceeds after all closing costs, payoffs, and agreed deductions. The buyer takes possession according to the contract terms. For a fuller walkthrough, see How Does Closing Work When I Sell My House Without a Realtor?.

What Can Go Wrong After Acceptance

A signed contract does not guarantee a closed sale. Common issues include:

• Financing falls through: The buyer's loan is denied or delayed.
• Appraisal issues: The property does not appraise for the purchase price.
• Inspection disputes: Repair negotiations break down.
• Contingency failures: A contingency is not satisfied and the buyer cancels.
• Title issues: Unexpected liens or ownership problems arise.
• Timeline delays: One party cannot meet a contract deadline.

Understanding these risks helps you stay proactive during escrow. For a framework on evaluating offer risk before acceptance, see How Do I Compare Multiple Offers on My House?. For a broader look at what can derail a sale after acceptance, see What Can Derail a Home Sale After Accepting an Offer?.

Arizona-Specific Considerations

Arizona residential transactions commonly use the Arizona Association of REALTORS® Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract (February 2026), which structures the inspection period, earnest money, closing timeline, and contingencies. Arizona sales close through a licensed title or escrow company. The specific deadlines and terms in your executed contract govern the process—general educational information does not replace your contract terms.

This Is Not Legal Advice

This article provides general educational information about the post-acceptance process. It is not legal advice. Your executed purchase contract controls your specific rights and obligations. If you have questions about your contract or legal obligations, consider consulting an Arizona real estate attorney.

Staying Organized After Acceptance

Dwealling helps homeowners keep transaction documents, buyer information, and communication organized in one place throughout the escrow period—so you are not piecing everything together from emails and text messages. Setup is $199 one-time, plus $99 per month. Dwealling provides organization tools and does not guarantee a successful closing.

Arizona Context

Arizona residential transactions commonly use the Arizona Association of REALTORS® Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract (February 2026), which structures the inspection period, earnest money, closing timeline, and contingencies. Arizona sales close through a licensed title or escrow company. The specific deadlines and terms in your executed contract govern the process.

A lot of sellers think the hard part is over once they accept an offer. It isn't. The escrow period is where transactions can still fall apart—financing gets denied, appraisals come in low, inspection negotiations break down. I tell sellers to stay engaged after acceptance. Know your contract deadlines. Respond to repair requests promptly. Keep your documents organized. The more organized you are during escrow, the fewer opportunities there are for something to derail the transaction.

— Ryan Michael, Arizona Real Estate Professional

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