What Are the First Steps After My Offer Is Accepted in San Diego?

Congratulations — Now the Real Work Begins

Getting your offer accepted is a milestone — but it is not the finish line. The 21 to 30 days between acceptance and close of escrow are filled with critical deadlines and decisions that determine whether you successfully close on your new San Diego home. Here is exactly what to do in the first 72 hours after acceptance.

Within 24 Hours of Acceptance

• Notify your lender immediately: Tell them the property address, purchase price, and expected close of escrow date — they need this to order the appraisal and begin formal underwriting
• Confirm your escrow company and escrow officer: Get their contact information from your agent and save it
• Review the executed purchase agreement: Confirm all terms match what you negotiated — price, contingency periods, close of escrow date, and any addenda

Within 72 Hours of Acceptance

• Wire your earnest money deposit to escrow: Confirm the wire instructions directly with your escrow officer by phone — do not rely solely on email due to wire fraud risk
• Schedule your home inspection: Quality inspectors in San Diego book up quickly — your inspection contingency period starts immediately
• Begin reviewing seller disclosure documents as they arrive: The TDS, SPQ, NHD, and HOA documents typically arrive in the first few days of escrow

Within the First Week

• Complete your home inspection and any specialized inspections: termite, sewer, pool, mold, roof
• Review the preliminary title report with your agent
• Confirm your homeowner's insurance quote — your lender will need proof of insurance before funding
• Begin reviewing HOA documents if applicable — you have a 5-day review period from receipt

Rieder Homes Group's Escrow Management

When a buyer's offer is accepted, we immediately send them a complete escrow timeline checklist with every deadline, every action item, and every party contact. We actively manage every step of the process — so you never miss a deadline or lose track of a critical action item. Call us at 858-295-0556.

Related Reading on RiederHomes.com:

→ Blog #110: Offer to Close Timeline

→ Blog #89: Contingencies Explained

→ Blog #87: Earnest Money

→ Blog #73: Home Inspections

— Mance Rieder, Broker Associate | Rieder Homes Group | REAL Broker | riederhomes.com | 858-295-0556