Selling Your Home
When Do You Actually Get Paid After Selling Your Home?
Accepting an offer feels like the finish line. But it is really just the last stretch. If you are thinking about selling, here is what happens between "we have a deal" and the money actually landing in your account. No surprises, no confusion, just the facts.
Step 1: You accept the offer
Once you sign, you are under contract and the buyer puts down earnest money. Exciting moment. But no funds change hands yet.
Step 2: Escrow takes the wheel
Escrow is the neutral party keeping everything on track. The buyer works through inspections and financing. The title company confirms your home can be transferred free of any legal snags. This is where most of the waiting happens.
Step 3: You sign the closing paperwork
You will sign the deed and transfer documents. The buyer signs their loan paperwork. It feels final. But one more step remains.
Step 4: The sale gets recorded
Once your county records the transfer, the sale is officially closed and escrow can release your funds.
Wet closing vs. dry closing
In a wet closing, the buyer's loan is funded before recording, so you are typically paid the same day. In a dry closing, there is a short lag, usually one to three business days, while the lender finishes final review. Washington is a dry-closing state, so this short pause is normal here. It is not a red flag.
How you get paid
Once everything clears, your proceeds go out by wire transfer or cashier's check. Before that check is cut, escrow settles your remaining mortgage, agent commissions, prorated taxes, and other closing costs. What is left is your net proceeds.
How long it takes
Most sellers see their funds the same day the sale records, sometimes the next business day if it is a wire transfer.
The bottom line
An accepted offer is a milestone, not the finish line. I will walk you through every step between now and that deposit hitting your account, so you always know exactly where things stand.
About the Author
Sharon Glatz Scott, Global Real Estate Advisor, Realogics Sotheby's International Realty, serving Mercer Island, Bellevue, and the Greater Eastside. Rooted on Mercer Island since 1977, Sharon brings rare hyperlocal knowledge and genuine community connection to every client relationship. Her proven approach, combined with a best-in-class vendor network and Nordstrom-level service, sets her apart in a crowded market.
Putting the "REAL" back into Real Estate, Sharon Glatz Scott
Thinking about selling on the Eastside?
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