How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home in the San Fernando Valley?
From your first conversation with a lender to the day you get the keys — here is a realistic timeline for buying a home in the Valley's competitive market.
Nancy Martin
Equity Union · San Fernando Valley, CA
One of the most common questions I hear from buyers is: how long is this going to take? The honest answer is that it depends — but here is a realistic picture of what the timeline looks like in the San Fernando Valley.
Getting pre-approved: 1–5 days. Before you can make an offer, you need a pre-approval letter from a lender. If you have your documents ready — tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements — this can happen quickly. If you need to gather paperwork or address credit issues, it takes longer. Do this before you start looking at homes.
Finding the right home: 1–6 months. This is the most variable part of the process. Some buyers find their home in a few weeks. Others search for months. In the Valley, well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods like Encino, Sherman Oaks, and Studio City often receive multiple offers within days of listing. Being ready to move quickly matters.
From accepted offer to close: 21–45 days. Once your offer is accepted, the escrow process begins. A standard escrow in California runs 30 days, though it can be shorter or longer depending on the terms. During this time, you will complete your inspection, finalize your loan, review disclosures, and do a final walkthrough.
The inspection period is typically the first 17 days of escrow. This is when you hire a home inspector, review the findings, and decide whether to proceed, request repairs, or cancel. Do not skip the inspection — even on newer homes.
Loan approval and appraisal happen in parallel. Your lender will order an appraisal to confirm the home's value supports the purchase price. If the appraisal comes in low, you may need to renegotiate or make up the difference in cash.
Total timeline from starting your search to getting keys: 2–7 months is typical. If you are well-prepared and the right home comes along quickly, you could be in your new home in 60 days. If the search takes time or you encounter complications in escrow, it could take longer.
The best thing you can do to shorten the timeline is to get pre-approved before you start looking, have your down payment funds ready to verify, and work with an agent who can move quickly when the right home appears.
About the Author
Nancy Martin · Equity Union
Nancy is a real estate agent with Equity Union serving buyers and sellers throughout the San Fernando Valley. She brings deep local knowledge, honest guidance, and a genuine commitment to her clients.