When selling a home, it’s not unusual for buyers to ask for a little extra time before closing. These requests can happen for a variety of reasons—financing hiccups, inspection surprises, paperwork delays, or even life throwing a curveball. It’s understandable to feel frustrated, and it may make you wonder how this affects your timeline.

The good news? A delay isn’t a dealbreaker. Most buyers want to close as soon as possible, too. When handled thoughtfully, a small extension can keep your sale on track without derailing your plans.

In this two-part guide, we’ll cover why buyers request extensions, how you can respond, and key considerations before agreeing to a new closing date.

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Common reasons why buyers may want to extend the closing date

You might wonder: if a buyer’s goal is to close, why would they need more time? Here are the most common reasons:

Even with pre-approval, the mortgage process isn’t always straightforward. Underwriters may request extra documents, double-check employment and income, or need additional time to finalize the loan. A solid pre-approval doesn’t guarantee a smooth path to closing, and lenders can get backed up, slowing things down.

Buyers are typically advised not to make major purchases or open new credit lines while their loan is in process. Sometimes, they forget—or unexpected credit issues arise—delaying the loan approval.

Title searches occasionally uncover liens, unpaid debts, or clerical errors that need resolution before closing.

If an appraisal comes in low, buyers might need time to renegotiate, appeal, or cover a gap in financing.

If buyers are relying on the sale of their current home to fund the new purchase, any hiccups there can push back their timeline.

Major repairs discovered during inspection, like foundation or roof concerns, can trigger new negotiations or paperwork updates, which may require extra time.

Life sometimes gives us surprises or simply just gets in the way. Job changes, layoffs, family emergencies, accidents and injuries, cash flow issues, and missing documents—all of these things, along with last-minute hiccups, may prompt the buyer to request to push back the date of closing in order to have extra time to address these issues.

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What to do when a buyer wants to extend the closing

If your buyer asks for more time, here’s a practical approach:

1. Evaluate the reason and ask for documentation.

Your listing agent should have the details behind the request. Ask for proof—lender letters, title updates, or other documentation—so you have the full picture before deciding on next steps.

2. Get it in writing.

Any change to your closing date should be formally documented. Insist on a written amendment and keep a copy for yourself.

3. Plan accordingly.

Before agreeing, consider the financial and logistical impact. Will you need to pay another month of mortgage or utilities? Will your move need rescheduling? Talk through options with your agent and calculate any costs to make sure you’re prepared.

[To be continued…]