How Long Does Escrow Take and What Affects the Timeline?

September 15, 2025

The state of Florida boasts one of the most competitive escrow markets in the U.S., so most people expect a speedy process during their own real estate purchase. Title and escrow companies work tirelessly to meet these expectations. On top of providing the best services to help clients during a complex transaction, escrow agents also need to plan for any delays in the timeline. Let's see what this entails!

How Long Does Escrow Take

A smooth escrow transaction is complete after 30 days, so most people go in with this timeline, crafting the schedule around this time period from the creation of the escrow account. Still, the standard duration is between 30 days and 60 days.

For most cases, the escrow timeline is comprised of the following steps:

1. Opening the escrow account after the seller and the buyer have reached an agreement.
2. Home appraisal and follow-up inspections.
3. Title search and insurance
4. Buyer and seller sign the closing documents.
5. The buyer deposits the down payment and the closing costs. The seller can also make the payments depending on the terms that were set at the start of the process.
6. The funds are reimbursed to the corresponding parties (mortgage brokers, lawyers, realtors, and other recipients in the case of pending liens). Once the title transfer is complete, the transaction is recorded in the county where the transaction was completed.

There's a reason why the standard timeline involves more than 30 days: several factors can lead to delays, often spanning days beyond the original plan. Some areas where delays are common include mortgage pre-approval, repairs outlined in the contract (as well as repairs that might be required after subsequent home inspections), the review of documentation, down payment, underwriting, etc.

What Affects the Timeline?

Based on the timeline described above, here are the most common issues that could alter the timeline:

• When it comes to home appraisals, home inspectors might not be available on the desired date. This is also why last-minute changes can be so stressful; it's not always easy to get all the relevant parties to free space on their schedule.
  
  On a different note, what happens if you need to plan for any repairs after the inspection? Maybe the inspector has concerns about pests, or you need to negotiate with the seller following the environmental checks. Any of these issues might result in additional repair costs or modifications in the escrow contract.


• Gathering all the relevant paperwork can take a considerable amount of time, which is why we recommend getting started before the start of the escrow process. Your escrow agent can point you in the direction of each document and help you keep things in order so nothing is overlooked.


• The title search can take longer than expected if there are issues to address. It all depends on what you're dealing with; a small typo can be corrected at the local registry, but the solution isn't as straightforward if you're dealing with liens or hidden claims. Such issues require additional documentation and planning with the affected parties.


• You may also face delays while trying to secure financing for the escrow process, especially if you have been burdened with unexpected expenses when calculating the closing costs.


• A subpar escrow company is also a big hindrance to the process. Certain steps might take longer if you're working with an inexperienced agent or if the company lacks the technical resources to speed things along, particularly while reviewing all the paperwork. A company with a poor work ethic will fall short when addressing disagreements, securing title insurance, etc.

What's the Key to a Smooth Escrow Process?

Early planning goes a long way, and a reliable escrow company can be your best ally from the get-go.

At Key Title & Escrow, we specialize in assisting buyers and sellers with the essential parts of the escrow process, from title searches to closing services, and everything in between. We ensure that things run smoothly without overlooking important details along the way, working hard to keep you within the ideal timeframe of 30 days. And if there are any issues to deal with, like encumbrances, unpaid debt, or hidden claims, we work efficiently and professionally to help you achieve the best solution.

If this sounds like something you need, we invite you to get in touch with our staff. You can call (305) 235-4571 or toll-free at (800) 547-0006 or send us a message via the contact form on this page. We'll be happy to assist you so you can breeze through the most stressful parts of your real estate transaction.