.png)
If you’re still taking weeks to close, you’re losing deals to brokers who move faster. Every extra day in processing increases the chance your borrower shops around or loses the property completely. The market rewards speed, and that starts before you ever submit to underwriting.
The best closers don’t work harder; they work earlier. Every file they touch is front-loaded with the right documents, clear timelines, and no open questions. That means when the file hits underwriting, it moves instead of sitting in limbo while everyone waits for missing pieces.
- Zillow reports that closing a purchase loan takes about 44 days on average in 2024, though 30–45 days is common for conventional financing.
- NerdWallet confirms similar findings: closing takes about 42 days in spring 2025.
1. Start with a Complete Package
Before you submit, ask yourself: could this file go straight to docs with no follow-up?
- All income docs in?
- Assets verified?
- Credit reviewed?
If not, you’re sending an incomplete file that will stall in underwriting. A clean, complete package not only moves faster, but it also makes underwriters more likely to prioritize your deal.
2. Lock in the Appraisal Early
Appraisals are one of the biggest bottlenecks in the process. The longer you wait to order one, the more likely it is to delay your closing.
In many markets, appraisers are booked out for weeks. By placing the order as soon as your borrower commits, you’re securing a spot in their schedule before competition squeezes you out. That simple step can shave days off your timeline and prevent a missed closing date.
3. Pre-Clear Title Issues
Liens, name mismatches, or unreleased mortgages can appear on any file. Running a title search at the start lets you solve these issues in parallel with processing instead of discovering them at the last minute.
This also builds confidence with all parties in the transaction because they see you’re proactive, not reactive. A single title delay can kill a closing, so catching issues in week one instead of week four is a competitive advantage.
4. Manage Borrower Responsiveness
Set the tone early. Every time they delay, the closing date shifts. Use short, specific requests such as “I need this by 2 pm today” to create urgency. Borrowers who respond quickly keep deals on schedule.
Consider using text reminders or quick check-in calls to keep them engaged. A responsive borrower is often the single biggest factor in hitting a contract date.
5. Keep the Communication Loop Tight
Fast closers do not wait days for replies. They follow up across phone, text, and email until the request is complete. Every hour saved in response time is an hour closer to funding.
Your responsiveness also sets the tone for everyone else involved. If you’re quick, they’ll be quick. The faster you move, the more momentum the file gains.
6. Speed Gets Remembered
In a competitive market, borrowers and referral partners remember the broker who got it done before anyone else. That speed becomes your reputation and your repeat business.
It also becomes part of your marketing. When you can say, “We closed in 18 days,” it turns into a story that agents tell their clients and your borrowers tell their friends. Those stories are free advertising that your competition can’t buy.
Pro Tip for Client Conversations
When setting expectations with borrowers, you can say: “My goal is to have you at the closing table in 15 days or less, and I’ll need your help responding quickly so we can make that happen.” This sets urgency and positions you as both confident and in control.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
