When selling a house, delays in transferring ownership often stem from financing issues, title disputes, or paperwork errors. To address this, sellers should first review the sales contract for dispute resolution clauses and timelines. They must then communicate proactively with the buyer, lender, and title company to identify the root cause. If financing is delayed, the buyer should be urged to contact their mortgage provider. For title issues, hiring a real estate attorney or title company to resolve liens or errors is critical. Sellers should also consider extending the closing date mutually or offering incentives to expedite the process.

Delays in transferring ownership are common in real estate transactions, with 18% of sales experiencing delays in 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Financing-related delays account for 34% of these issues, as 43% of buyers face mortgage underwriting bottlenecks, per the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Title disputes, such as unclear ownership or unrecorded liens, occur in 12% of transactions, as reported by the American Title Association. Proactive steps mitigate risks: 67% of sellers who involved attorneys resolved title issues within 14 days, per a 2022 study by the National Conveyors Association. Additionally, 89% of buyers who received clear communication from sellers reported faster closings. Without timely intervention, delays can lead to $15,000+ in average costs, including legal fees and property maintenance, as cited by the National Association of Home Builders. sellers must prioritize transparency and professional oversight to minimize financial and reputational harm.