Anchor Dates

An anchor date is the reference point from which all other dates in your timeline are calculated. It's the single most important date in your transaction's timeline.

How it works

When you apply a timeline template, every milestone is defined as an offset from the anchor date:

• "Inspection deadline: 10 days after anchor"
• "Appraisal deadline: 21 days after anchor"
• "Closing: 30 days after anchor"

The anchor date is usually the contract date — the day the purchase agreement was executed. But it could be any date that your milestones reference.

Setting the anchor date

When you apply a timeline template, DocJacket asks you to set the anchor date. It typically defaults to the contract date if one is already entered on the transaction.

You can change the anchor date later from the Timeline tab. When you do, click Recalculate and all milestone dates update based on the new anchor.

Why this matters

The anchor date system means you don't have to manually calculate dozens of deadlines. Set it once, and everything flows from there. When a closing date gets pushed back or a contract date changes, one recalculation updates your entire timeline.

Common anchor date scenarios

Scenario	Typical anchor date
Standard residential purchase	Contract execution date
New construction	Permit approval date or contract date
Commercial lease	Lease commencement date
Short sale	Bank approval date