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After a seller accepts your offer in Missouri, the transaction goes "under contract" and you typically close in 30–45 days. The process includes depositing earnest money with the title company within 3 business days, completing a home inspection within 7–10 days, and getting an appraisal ordered by your lender. Missouri is a title company state — no attorney is required at closing — and many St. Louis-area municipalities also require a government occupancy inspection before the sale can close. On closing day, you'll sign final documents at the title company, funds are transferred, and you receive the keys. You got the call. The seller said yes. For about 30 seconds, that's all pure excitement. Then the questions start. Do I need to do anything today? Who contacts me next? How long does this take? What if something goes wrong? This is one of the most common moments buyers reach out to me, not before writing the offer, but right after it's accepted. The process that follows is very manageable, but it moves quickly and has a clear sequence. If you know what's coming, you can stay ahead of it instead of chasing it. Here's what the next 30 to 45 days actually look like in Missouri. Step 1: Earnest Money and Going Under Contract (Days 1–3) Within three business days of the seller accepting your offer, you'll wire or deliver your earnest money deposit to the title company. In Missouri, earnest money goes to the title company, not to your agent's brokerage, which surprises buyers who've bought in other states. The title company holds it in escrow until closing, at which point it applies toward your down payment and closing costs. How much? Typically 1% to 3% of the purchase price. On a $250,000 home, that's $2,500 to $7,500. Once the contract is fully signed and earnest money is received, the property is officially "under contract." The listing will show as pending on Zillow and Redfin, and other buyers are out of the picture. You and the seller are legally bound to the terms you negotiated, price, contingencies, and closing date. Don't celebrate by spending money yet. You'll need those funds for closing costs, inspections, and your down payment, all of which are coming fast. Step 2: The Inspection Window — Your Most Important Days (Days 3–10) The home inspection is your best opportunity to understand what you're actually buying. Schedule your home inspector within the first few days. In St. Louis, inspectors book up quickly — especially in spring — so don't wait. The standard Missouri contract inspection contingency runs 7 to 10 days from the contract date. That window closes fast. What to expect from the St. Louis inspection process: A licensed home inspector will examine the roof, foundation, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and all major systems. Budget $400–$600 for a standard inspection on a single-family home. Many St. Louis buyers also add: Radon test — Missouri's geology puts us in an elevated radon zone. Testing is inexpensive and strongly recommended. Wood destroying insect (termite) inspection — required by most lenders and common in St. Louis contracts. Many sellers will agree to treat any active infestation as a contract term. Sewer scope — especially valuable for homes built before 1970. A camera run through the sewer lateral can reveal cracked clay pipes before they become your problem. After the inspection report, you have options: If the inspector finds issues, you don't have to walk away, and you don't have to take the home as-is, either. Your agent can help you negotiate one of three common paths: Ask the seller to make specific repairs before closing Ask for a closing cost credit — the seller reduces your out-of-pocket costs in lieu of fixing things Ask for a price reduction to reflect the condition Sellers in Missouri aren't legally required to fix anything from an inspection, but most reasonable sellers will respond to reasonable requests, especially in a market where homes are sitting 47 days on average. If the issues are serious and you can't reach an agreement, your inspection contingency allows you to terminate the contract and recover your earnest money. Two other contingencies that typically resolve in this window: Government occupancy inspection - Many municipalities in the St. Louis area require a government occupancy inspection before a property can legally transfer to a new owner. This is separate from your home inspection and ordered by the seller through the municipality. Common in St. Louis City, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and many other jurisdictions, it checks for basic habitability and code compliance. If violations exist, they're typically the seller's responsibility to cure before closing. Read the full guide to government occupancy inspections in St. Louis. Indentures and HOA contingency — Many St. Louis subdivisions have indentures — deed restrictions that function similarly to HOA rules. Under your contract, you typically have the same window to review them and terminate if the restrictions are unacceptable. Your title company or agent can provide the indenture documents. Step 3: Appraisal, Title Work, and Loan Processing (Days 10–30) Once your inspection contingencies are resolved, the middle phase of the transaction is largely happening behind the scenes , but staying on top of your lender's requests is critical. The appraisal. Your lender will order an independent appraisal, typically within a week or two of the contract date. The appraiser will compare your home to recent sales to confirm its market value supports the purchase price. Appraisals in the St. Louis metro are currently running 10–14 days to complete. If the appraisal comes in at or above your contract price, great, nothing changes. If it comes in low, you'll need to negotiate with the seller, cover the gap yourself, or exercise your appraisal contingency. Low appraisals are less common in a rising market but do happen, particularly on unique properties or in fast-moving submarkets. Title work. Simultaneously, the title company is running a title search — checking public records to confirm the seller has clear, marketable title and that there are no liens, unpaid taxes, or ownership disputes attached to the property. In Missouri, the title company handles both the title search and closing; there's no separate real estate attorney required (unlike in Illinois, Kentucky, and most eastern states). If the title search turns up a problem, an old lien, an estate issue, an encroachment, the title company will work to resolve it before closing. Most issues are resolved quietly. Occasionally they cause a delay. Loan processing and underwriting. While inspections and appraisals are happening, your lender is underwriting your loan. Expect to receive requests for updated bank statements, additional documentation, or letters of explanation. Respond to these quickly, underwriting delays are one of the most common reasons closings get pushed back. Your loan commitment letter is typically due 21 to 30 days from contract, per your contract terms. Insurance commitment. Your lender will require proof of homeowner's insurance before closing. Get quotes in the first two weeks so you're not scrambling. Once you've chosen a policy, provide the binder to your lender with the closing date listed. Closing Day at the Title Company About three business days before closing, you'll receive your Closing Disclosure — a detailed breakdown of every dollar you owe and every dollar the seller receives. Review it carefully. Your final out-of-pocket cash (down payment plus closing costs minus any credits) will be listed here. For buyers in Missouri, closing costs typically run 2–4% of the purchase price. On a $250,000 home, budget $5,000 to $10,000 in addition to your down payment. What to bring to closing: A valid government-issued photo ID Certified funds or a confirmed wire for your closing costs (personal checks are not accepted) Proof of homeowner's insurance if not already provided Closing takes place at the title company's office, usually 60 to 90 minutes. You'll sign a significant stack of documents — loan paperwork, the deed, title documents, and disclosures. The seller signs their side too, either at the same table or in a separate appointment. Once documents are signed, funds are wired, and the deed is recorded with the county, the title company will hand you the keys. You own a home. Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take to close on a house in Missouri after an offer is accepted? Most Missouri closings happen 30 to 45 days after the offer is accepted. The timeline depends on your lender's processing speed, inspection resolution, and appraisal turnaround. Cash purchases can close in as little as 10–14 days since there's no lender appraisal or underwriting process. Who holds the earnest money in Missouri? In Missouri, earnest money is held by the title company — not the real estate agent's brokerage. The deposit is wired or delivered within three business days of contract acceptance and applied toward your closing costs and down payment at the end of the transaction. Can I back out of a Missouri home purchase after the inspection? Yes — if you have an inspection contingency in your contract (which is standard), you can terminate the agreement during the inspection period and receive your earnest money back in full. Once the inspection contingency period expires without action, terminating the contract becomes more complicated and may put your earnest money at risk. What is a government occupancy inspection in St. Louis? A government occupancy inspection is a municipal requirement in many St. Louis-area cities — including St. Louis City, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Ferguson, and others — that must be completed before a property can legally change hands. It's ordered by the seller and checks for basic habitability and code compliance. Violations are the seller's responsibility to cure before closing. This is separate from the buyer's home inspection. What happens if the appraisal comes in below the contract price? If the appraisal comes in low, you typically have three options: ask the seller to reduce the price to the appraised value, cover the gap yourself (an "appraisal gap"), or negotiate a combination of both. If neither party can agree and you have an appraisal contingency, you can walk away and recover your earnest money. Your agent can help you determine which approach makes the most sense given the specific numbers and the seller's situation. The Process Is Manageable — If You Know What's Coming The 30-to-45 days between "offer accepted" and "keys in hand" is the most document-intensive part of buying a home. But every step has a clear purpose, a deadline, and a defined outcome. The moments that trip buyers up are almost always the ones they didn't see coming — the occupancy inspection that reveals violations, the appraisal that comes in $15,000 low, the underwriter who asks for three additional bank statements five days before closing. None of these have to derail your transaction if you have someone in your corner who's navigated them before. If you're under contract right now — or getting close — I'm happy to walk through your specific timeline with you. Reach out anytime.  About Cheryl Carosone, REALTOR® Cheryl Carosone is a REALTOR® with Campbell House and Home, a boutique brokerage serving St. Louis, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County. A former educator, she brings the same clear communication and patient guidance to real estate, focusing on first-time buyers, downsizers, and investors. Whether you're finding the right home, preparing a property to sell, or navigating closing day, Cheryl's calm, informed approach helps clients move forward with confidence. Connect at cherylcarosone.realtor .