The national average time to close a mortgage is 45 days. Some big banks are pushing past 60.
Our average is 18 days. It's not because we cut corners — it's because we designed the process from scratch to eliminate the delays that cost everyone else weeks.
Here's exactly how it works.
Day 1 — Your Call
You reach out (usually by phone or the website form). Within 4 business hours, you're on a 30-minute call with me or another loan officer on our team.
In that call we:
- Review your goals (buy, refi, investor)
- Look at income, employment, credit ballpark
- Identify which loan programs fit your situation
- Give you a realistic monthly payment range
If we both agree there's a deal to do, we move to pre-approval immediately.
Day 2 — Pre-Approval
You complete the online application (takes ~20 minutes). You upload:
- Last 2 pay stubs
- Last 2 years W-2s or tax returns
- Last 2 months bank statements
- Photo ID
Our processing team runs your credit, verifies income, and issues a pre-approval letter. Target: same-day or next-morning turnaround.
Most lenders take 3-5 days at this step. We don't, because we've pre-built the data pipeline and our processors own the full file from Day 1.
Days 3-7 — House Hunting
This is the variable part. Depends on you, not us. Central Texas inventory moves fast — our average buyer is under contract within 10 days of pre-approval.
What we do during this phase:
- Re-issue pre-approval letters at your target price point for each offer
- Stay in touch with your realtor on contract terms
- Run updated payment numbers as you find properties
Day 8 — Executed Contract
Within 24 hours of mutual acceptance, we:
- Order the appraisal (usually $550-650, paid by you at order)
- Open title with our preferred partner
- Send the initial disclosure package for you to sign
- Set your closing date target 10 days out
Days 9-12 — Underwriting
This is where most lenders stumble. We don't, because:
We underwrite upfront, not at the end. Before a file goes to the actual underwriter, our processor has already cleared every condition a normal file would hit. "Clear to close" isn't a scramble at Day 30 — it's the default state of our files at Day 12.
We chase documentation proactively. If we need an updated paystub or bank statement, you'll get a specific request (with file upload link) within hours, not "please send everything again" the day before closing.
Our appraisal network is local and fast. Not a big AMC (appraisal management company) in another state. Real Central Texas appraisers who know the market and turn files in 72 hours, not 10 days.
Days 13-15 — Appraisal + Final Approval
Appraisal comes in. Assuming it supports the contract (which it usually does with accurate pricing), we clear the remaining conditions and issue Clear to Close. This is the moment everything is locked.
Day 16 — Closing Disclosure
By federal law (TRID), you have to receive your final closing disclosure 3 business days before signing. We issue it on Day 16 so you have time to review actual final numbers against estimates.
Day 17-18 — Closing Day
You sign. Funding happens. Keys are yours.
We do a final walk-through check-in and make sure you have:
- Homeowner insurance policy active (set up Day 9-ish)
- Utilities transferred
- Moving logistics locked
- Our "first 30 days of homeownership" guide (yes, this exists)
What You Need To Do To Hit 18 Days
Not every client does. Some take 22, some take 30. The difference is almost always one of these four things:
- Respond to document requests within 24 hours. If we ask for a paystub on Day 10 and you send it Day 13, we're now on a 21-day close.
- Don't change anything. Don't open new credit, don't switch jobs, don't move large sums of money between accounts. If anything has to change, tell us immediately.
- Communicate with your realtor about deadlines. Inspection period, option period, and closing date all need to align. If your realtor picks a Day-30 closing date in the contract, we'll close on Day 30 — we won't close early just because we're ready.
- Be reachable. Email, text, whatever works. The files that slide past 18 days are usually waiting on a client signature or a quick question.
The Honest Caveat
Some files shouldn't close in 18 days. If your income documentation is genuinely complex (new business owner, large one-time bonuses, self-employed variable income), rushing doesn't help you.
But standard W-2 buyers with reasonable credit and a clean financial picture? 18 days is our target and we usually hit it.
If speed matters — maybe there's a contract with a tight close date, or a baby's coming, or you're moving for a new job — we're probably the right call.
Book a 30-minute consult. We'll tell you up front whether 18 days is realistic for your specific situation.