Muzamil Khan
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    Buy / Path to Keys

    Path to Keys

    Buying a home anywhere is a journey. In the Bay Area, that journey can get complicated, depending on where you're buying, the local rules, and your network.

    My goal is simple:

    Keep it simple. Clear data in plain English, so you have everything you need to make the best decision.
    Go the extra mile. I limit how many clients I take on at once, so I can focus on the people I'm working with: attending your inspections, finding the right contractor for a specific job, and more.
    Keep it fun. Buying a home and calling it your own is exciting, and the process should feel that way too.
    Book a buyer consultEmail me this guide

    At a glance

    1Before the offer7 steps2Offer & negotiation3 steps3Escrow & contingencies8 steps4Closing5 steps

    Steps marked You are yours. I'm with you on all of them.

    1

    Before the offer

    Get your team and financing in place, find the right home, and study it before you bid.

    1

    Sign the buyer agreement

    Before touring

    Sets who represents you and how your agent is paid. Required before touring with an agent.

    YouYour agentBRBCRead the guide
    2

    Get pre-approved

    Before touring

    A lender confirms what you can borrow. Sellers expect this letter with every offer.

    YouLenderPREPOFRead the guide
    3

    Tour homes

    Weeks 1 to 6

    Open houses and private showings. Keep notes so homes don't blur together.

    YouYour agentRead the guide
    4

    Choose a home

    When one stands out

    Once a home fits, we move fast. Most East Bay listings set an offer date.

    YouYour agentRead the guide
    5

    Request the disclosure packet

    Before the offer

    Many sellers share disclosures and inspections upfront. Read them before you bid.

    YouYour agent, Seller & listing agentTDSSPQPREINSNHDHOARead the guide
    6

    Review the CMA

    Before the offer

    Recent sales tell us what the home will likely sell for, which is often above list.

    YouYour agentCMARead the guide
    7

    Set offer strategy

    1 to 2 days before

    Price, deposit, contingencies, close date and terms that make your offer stand out.

    YouYour agent, LenderRead the guide
    2

    Offer & negotiation

    Your offer goes in. Terms go back and forth until both sides sign the same version.

    8

    Sign and submit the offer

    By offer deadline

    Your offer goes on the RPA, the standard California purchase contract.

    YouYour agentRPAPREPOFRead the guide
    9

    Seller responds

    Usually 1 to 3 days

    Accept, reject, or counter. With several offers, expect a multiple counter.

    Seller & listing agent, Your agentSCOSMCORead the guide

    Back and forth until both sides sign

    YouSeller
    RPAYour offer
    SCOSeller counters
    BCOYou counter back
    SCOSeller counters again
    Both sides sign the same terms
    10

    Acceptance: Day 0

    Day 0 · Mon, Oct 26

    Both sides sign the same terms. You're in contract and every deadline starts counting.

    YouSeller & listing agent, Your agentRead the guide
    3

    Escrow & contingencies

    The clock starts. You inspect, appraise and finalize the loan, with the right to back out while contingencies stay open.

    Your contingency windows

    While a window is open, you can cancel for that reason and keep your deposit. These are the timelines I typically write. Your contract sets yours.

    Investigation
    Day 14
    Appraisal
    Day 14
    Loan
    Day 17
    Close
    Day 21
    11

    Open escrow and send deposit

    3 business days · Thu, Oct 29

    Escrow holds the money and paperwork. Your deposit goes in within 3 business days.

    YouEscrow & title, Your agentESCEMDRead the guide
    12

    Receive and sign disclosures

    By Day 7 · Mon, Nov 2

    Remaining disclosures and the title report arrive. You sign to show receipt.

    YouSeller & listing agent, Escrow & titleTDSSPQAVIDNHDPTRRead the guide
    13

    Inspections

    Day 1 to 14 · Mon, Nov 9

    Check anything you want: home, pest, roof, sewer, foundation, insurance.

    YouInspector, Your agentINSPRead the guide
    14

    Request repairs

    Before Day 14

    Ask for repairs, a credit or a price cut based on what inspections found.

    YouYour agentRRRead the guide

    Repair negotiation

    YouSeller
    RRYou request repairs or a credit
    RRRRSeller agrees, refuses or counters
    RRRRYou reply
    Agreement on repairs or credit
    15

    Appraisal

    By Day 14 · Mon, Nov 9

    The lender confirms the home supports the loan. A low value changes the math.

    Appraiser, Lender, Your agentAPPRRead the guide
    16

    Loan approval

    By Day 17 · Thu, Nov 12

    Underwriting checks everything. Once conditions clear, your loan is approved.

    YouLenderLOANRead the guide
    17

    Remove contingencies

    Day 14 and 17 · Thu, Nov 12

    You sign off once satisfied. After this, backing out risks your deposit.

    YouYour agent, Seller & listing agentCRRead the guide
    18

    Notice to Buyer to Perform

    Only if late

    If a deadline passes, the seller gives you 2 days to act before cancelling.

    YouSeller & listing agentNBPRead the guide
    4

    Closing

    Final checks, signatures, funding and recording. Then keys.

    19

    Final walkthrough

    5 days before close · Wed, Nov 11

    Confirm the home is in agreed condition and repairs are done.

    YouYour agentVPRead the guide
    20

    Sign loan and escrow docs

    3 to 5 days before · Thu, Nov 12

    Review the Closing Disclosure, then sign with a notary.

    YouEscrow & title, LenderCDLDOCSDEEDRead the guide
    21

    Wire closing funds

    1 to 2 days before · Sat, Nov 14

    Send your remaining down payment and costs. Confirm instructions by phone.

    YouEscrow & titleRead the guide
    22

    Funding and recording

    Close of escrow · Mon, Nov 16

    The lender funds, the seller gets paid, and the deed records with the county.

    Lender, Escrow & titleDEEDRead the guide
    23

    Get the keys

    Close of escrow · Mon, Nov 16

    Keys at recording, unless you agreed to a rent-back.

    YouYour agent, Seller & listing agentRead the guide

    Common questions

    Short answers. Each one links to the step that covers it in full.

    How long does buying a home take in the East Bay?
    Plan on 2 to 8 weeks to find a home, then about 21 days of escrow. Cash or shorter-escrow offers can close in 2 to 3 weeks. See the step
    How much is the deposit, and can I lose it?
    3% of the price, wired to escrow within 3 business days. It is protected while your contingencies are open. After you remove them, backing out puts it at risk. See the step
    What happens if the appraisal comes in low?
    You can renegotiate the price, cover the gap in cash, split the difference with the seller, or cancel while the appraisal contingency is open. See the step
    Should I ask for repairs or a credit?
    A credit is often simpler. You control who does the work and when. Focus requests on safety items and major systems. See the step
    How do I avoid wire fraud?
    Call escrow at a number you already trust before you wire. Escrow never changes wire instructions by email. See the step

    Document library

    RPACalifornia Residential Purchase AgreementPhase 2 · Offer & negotiationTDSTransfer Disclosure StatementPhase 3 · Escrow & contingenciesSPQSeller Property QuestionnairePhase 3 · Escrow & contingenciesINSPInspection reportsPhase 3 · Escrow & contingenciesRRRequest for RepairPhase 3 · Escrow & contingenciesCRContingency RemovalPhase 3 · Escrow & contingenciesCDClosing DisclosurePhase 4 · ClosingDEEDGrant deedPhase 4 · Closing
    See all 28 documents

    Ready to start at step 1?

    Book a 30-minute buyer consult. We'll go over your budget, your timeline, and which East Bay cities fit.

    Book a buyer consult
    Or get this guide by email

    Muzamil Khan · Rise Group · DRE #02400805. Day counts are the timelines I typically write into offers. Your contract sets your actual dates. This guide explains the process and is not legal or tax advice.

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