How Long Does It Take to Buy a House in Michigan?
If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Michigan, one of the biggest questions you probably have is: “How long does it take to buy a house?”
The truth is, the process can move quickly — or take longer depending on your situation. At JPAL Mortgage, we walk Michigan homebuyers through this every day, so let’s break down the timeline step by step.
Step 1: Mortgage Pre-Qualification (1–3 Days)
Before you shop for homes, you’ll want to get pre-qualified. This shows sellers and realtors that you’re serious and qualified.
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Average Time: 1–3 days (faster with us — often same-day).
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What You’ll Need: Income docs, credit check, assets.
JPAL Tip: Over 50% of our clients are first-time homebuyers, and many are surprised how quick this step is when they work with a broker like us.
Step 2: House Hunting (2–8 Weeks on Average)
This is the most variable step. Some buyers find “the one” in a week; others take months.
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Factors that affect this stage:
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Michigan housing market competition
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Your budget & must-haves
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Season (spring/summer is busier, fall/winter can move quicker)
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Step 3: Making an Offer & Negotiation (3–7 Days)
Once you’ve found the right home:
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You’ll write an offer with your realtor.
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Negotiations may take a few days, especially if there are multiple offers.
Step 4: Mortgage Application & Processing (2–3 Weeks)
Once your offer is accepted, your lender will move you into full application.
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Key steps:
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Uploading final documents
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Loan disclosures
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Underwriting review
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JPAL Advantage: Because we partner with lenders like United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) at an Elite/Diamond level, our closings are consistently faster than average in Michigan.
Step 5: Home Inspection & Appraisal (1–2 Weeks)
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Inspection: Usually scheduled within the first week after offer acceptance.
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Appraisal: Ordered by your lender and can take 5–10 days depending on demand.
Step 6: Clear to Close & Closing Day (1 Week)
Once the lender signs off, you’ll schedule closing. In Michigan, this usually happens within a week of final approval.
Total Time to Buy a House in Michigan
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Fastest Timeline: 30 days (start to finish)
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Average Timeline: 45–60 days
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Longer Timeline: 90+ days (depending how long it takes to find the right home and get an offer accepted)
How JPAL Mortgage Helps You Move Faster
At JPAL Mortgage, we:
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Offer same-day pre-qualifications so you can shop right away
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Partner with UWM and other great lenders to ensure fast underwriting & closings
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Work with first-time buyers every week, so we know how to keep things moving smoothly
Call us at 616-465-5725. We would love to speak with you!
Jumpstart your mortgage with an appraisal reimbursement from JPAL!
Simply fill out this form and when you finance a home with us, we’ll reimburse the cost of your appraisal (up to $600) at closing.** Let’s work together!
**All loans require complete underwriting approval, including satisfactory appraisal and clear title work. Interest rates and closing costs are subject to change. Appraisal reimbursement available for loans closed with JPAL Mortgage LLC and applied at closing. NMLS ID #2189752 | Equal Housing Opportunity.
JPAL Mortgage is proudly based in Michigan, where its two owners were born and raised! We love this state and have traveled it far and wide. It’s a passion of ours to make the mortgage process smooth and stress-free here in Michigan! Learn more about the team at JPAL
JPAL Mortgage – Your best friend in home finance.
All loans require complete underwriting approval, including satisfactory appraisal and clear title work. Interest rates and closing costs are subject to change. NMLS ID #2189752 | Equal Housing Opportunity