Once you get that exciting call that your offer was accepted on a home in Fort Mill, Waxhaw, or anywhere in the Charlotte metro area, the clock starts ticking. Most purchase contracts give you 30-45 days to close, though in really hot markets like Ballantyne or Weddington, sellers sometimes push for shorter timelines. The first week is crucial – you'll need to get your home inspection scheduled ASAP (usually within 7-10 days of contract acceptance), apply for your mortgage if you haven't already, and order the appraisal

If you're buying in Indian Land or Marvin during busy season (spring/summer), inspectors and appraisers can get booked up fast, so don't delay. Your lender will also start collecting what feels like every financial document you've ever had – just stay on top of providing what they need quickly. Weeks two and three are when most of the behind-the-scenes stuff happens. The underwriter reviews your loan file, the appraiser does their thing, and you negotiate any repair requests from the inspection. If you're buying a home in Pineville that needs some work, this is when you'll hash out who pays for what

Title work gets completed, and your attorney (yes, you need one in North Carolina and South Carolina) starts preparing for closing. The final week is usually pretty quiet from your perspective, but there's lots happening behind the scenes. You'll do a final walk-through a day or two before closing to make sure everything is as expected. Then comes the big day – plan on 1-2 hours at the closing table signing paperwork and getting your keys. Cash deals can close faster (2-3 weeks), but if you're financing your Charlotte metro home purchase, 30-45 days is pretty standard

The key is staying responsive to requests and not making any big financial changes during the process.