Immediate Post-Acceptance — Days 1–10

Deliver the Condition Report

Wisconsin law requires the seller to provide a completed Real Estate Condition Report within 10 days of acceptance. Best practice is to have the report ready before acceptance so it can be delivered immediately. If the seller has not completed the report before listing, it must be completed and delivered within this window. See the full disclosure guide for what it covers.

Coordinate with Your Agent

Confirm with your Castle Rock Realty agent: the agreed-upon inspection period timeline, who the title company will be and when to expect title company contact, the buyer's lender contact information (your agent will typically facilitate this), and the specific contingency deadlines stated in the offer.

The Inspection Period — Typically Days 5–21

Provide Access

The buyer will schedule a home inspection with a Wisconsin registered home inspector. You are required to provide reasonable access — typically a 2–4 hour window. For rural properties, expect separate scheduling for well and septic inspections in addition to the home inspection. Be absent during inspections where possible — sellers who are present during inspections create unnecessary friction.

Responding to Inspection Results

After the inspection, the buyer may submit a repair request or request for credits based on findings. Review requests carefully with your agent. Some items are legitimate and worth addressing; others are cosmetic or routine maintenance items that buyers sometimes include as leverage. See our seller's inspection response guide for the specific strategy.

The Appraisal — Typically Days 14–35

The Lender Orders the Appraisal

For transactions with mortgage financing, the buyer's lender orders an independent appraisal to confirm the property's value supports the loan amount. The appraiser visits the property and evaluates it against comparable recent sales. If the appraisal comes in below the purchase price, it can trigger a renegotiation or, if the financing contingency allows, the buyer may exit the transaction.

Appraisal Access

The lender will contact the listing agent to schedule appraiser access. Provide the appraiser with the same access you provided the home inspector. Have your agent provide the appraiser with a list of recent comparable sales and any relevant property improvements or unique features that affect value — appraisers are licensed professionals but benefit from relevant local information.

Completing Agreed-Upon Repairs

If you agreed to repairs or credits as part of the post-inspection negotiation, repairs must be completed before closing. Lenders typically require receipts confirming repair completion for any items that affected their loan conditions. If you negotiated a closing credit instead of repairs, the credit appears on the closing statement — no repair work is required, but the credit reduces your net proceeds.

The Closing Countdown — Final 2 Weeks

The title company will send closing instructions and schedule the closing appointment. Review the preliminary closing statement with your agent — it shows your expected net proceeds after all deductions (transfer tax, commissions, outstanding liens, prorated taxes). Walk through the property before closing to confirm its condition matches the offer's expectations. At closing, sign the deed and closing documents, receive your net proceeds, and hand over keys.

Frequently Asked Questions