What location is this?

Massachusetts

Sorry no idea there. In my area it wouldn't be typical.

Not typical in my area either. Your Realtor will have more info.

Hi Suzieque, this is typical in Mass, but it shouldn't take longer than this.

I had experience in MA where it took up until a week before the scheduled closing - months after the verbal acceptance, The buyer pulled out and I got nothing but a 6 month delay in selling. MA lawyers - at least those on Martha's Vineyard - didn't see any urgency about this at all. Grrrrr.....

We aren't in MA, but last year after the seller accepted our offer, it took a week or more to get the papers from the seller's attorney. The seller was in a different state. I remember I had the same worry. We closed on the house after 30 days.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your responses. We did get the word that the P&S was ready to sign and we did so late yesterday. Woo-hoo! Now on to the closing.

Heck no. You don't have a deal until you have signatures. I'd insist upon a 24 hour, possibly 48 hour window but I don't live in a mandatory attorney state. I once went a whole weekend because the sellers were over 80 and their son said they did nothing fast. ;)

Midcentury, for offers we always put in a 24hr deadline ... any longer gives us ulcers! Either you want to counter our offer or not, but don't make us wait days to find out.

Buying property in a state where a boiler plate contract is not used, is an entire different ballgame. I saw what my DS went through in CT - 2 deals fell through while the lawyers took their dear sweet time. A verbal acceptance is supposed to mean "it's a deal", but most buyers will brush that aside if they get a higher offer before the lawyers finally get an actual contract and both parties have signed it.