The escrow should be funded and the purchase agreement signed before the application, with release to the seller conditioned only on visa issuance. The interview date then follows the consulate’s calendar, and closing follows the visa.
Fund first, interview second, close third
Officers expect to see the money committed at the time of adjudication, so the deposit and escrow must be in place before the DS-160 is submitted. Negotiate with the seller a long-stop date that leaves room for consular scheduling, because interview availability varies, and a seller who insists on closing within thirty days will force either an unconditional payment or a withdrawn deal. Meanwhile, keep the business operating under the seller with the couple observing, not managing, unless they have status permitting work.
Once the visa is issued, release the escrow, transfer the titles and take over the payroll on a single date so the record shows a clean change of control. E-2 visas for Canadians can be issued for multi-year validity, and status is granted in two-year increments on each admission; extensions are possible indefinitely while the business continues, but E-2 provides no direct route to permanent residence, so a long-term plan should be reviewed periodically. A first review creates a dependency calendar for lease, permits, equipment delivery, staffing, and the application step.
Hypothetical example: an aircraft-upholstery workshop has signed a lease but its sewing equipment will not arrive for four months. The lease proves a commitment, while invoices and delivery terms show when operations can genuinely begin. Do not promise an opening date that assumes approvals or equipment already delayed by the supplier.