How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?

Selling a house is a major financial and emotional decision, and one of the most common questions homeowners ask is, "How long does it take to sell a house?" While the timeline can vary, selling a house generally takes between 55 and 70 days from listing to closing.1 However, this timeframe can be shorter or longer to sell depending on several factors.

Stages to Sell a House

1. Preparing Your Home (1-3 Weeks): Before you list your home, you’ll need to clean, declutter, and make any necessary repairs or upgrades to stage your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers.
2. Listing and Marketing (1-2 Weeks): Once your home is ready, you’ll need to work with a real estate agent or list it yourself (For Sale By Owner). Professional photography, virtual tours, and marketing strategies will help attract buyers.
3. Showings and Open Houses (2-6 Weeks): During this phase, prospective buyers visit your home. The time needed to get an offer depends on market demand and listing price.
4. Receiving and Negotiating Offers (1-2 Weeks): Once an offer is made, negotiations may take a few days to a week, depending on terms, contingencies, and whether multiple offers are received.
5. Inspection and Appraisal (2-4 Weeks): After accepting an offer, the buyer typically schedules a home inspection and appraisal. If any issues arise, further negotiations or repairs may be needed.
6. Closing (3-6 Weeks): During closing, the buyer finalizes their mortgage, and legal paperwork is completed.

Factors That Impact How Long It Takes to Sell a House

Several elements can influence how quickly a home sells, including:

• Market Conditions: In a seller’s market with high demand and low inventory, homes sell faster. In a buyer’s market, it may take longer.
• Pricing Your Home: Overpricing can deter buyers, leading to a longer sales period, while competitive pricing attracts interest quickly.
• Home Condition: Well-maintained, updated homes tend to sell faster than those requiring repairs.
• Location: Homes in desirable neighborhoods, near good schools, and with easy access to amenities typically sell more quickly.
• Seasonal Trends: Spring and summer are peak real estate market seasons, while winter months tend to be slower.

Average Time Needed to Sell a House

The average time to sell a house is about 55-70 days from listing to closing. However, this varies based on location and market conditions:

• Hot markets: Homes can sell in as little as 30 days.
• Slower markets: It may take 90 days or longer to sell.
• Cash sales: Selling to a cash buyer can reduce the timeline to around 10 days since financing is not required.

How to Sell Your Home Faster

If you want to sell your house faster, you have a few options that could reduce the time needed to sell by doing the following:

• Performing a deep cleaning the entire house
• Making minor repairs and paint touchups as needed
• Removing all personalization from the home
• Removing excess clutter and furniture
• Cleaning out closets to make them feel more spacious
• Prioritizing “curb appeal” by trimming bushes, removing weeds, adding some flowers, or painting your garage door and front door
• Setting a highly competitive market price

Benefits of Selling a House to a Cash Buyer

Selling to a cash buyer is another great option for selling a house quickly. It offers several advantages, including:

• Speed: Traditional sales take months, while cash sales close in as little as a week.
• Certainty: No risk of buyer financing falling through.
• Convenience: Avoid the hassle of staging, repairs, showings, open houses, and lengthy negotiations.
• No Fees or Commissions: Many cash buyers cover closing costs, and hiring a real estate agent is not required.

FAQs

How long does it take to sell a house once an offer is accepted?

Once an offer is accepted, it typically takes 30 to 45 days to close in a traditional sale, depending on mortgage approvals, inspections, and appraisals.1 If selling to a cash buyer, closing can happen within 10 days.

What is the slowest month to sell a house?

Historically, the winter months are the slowest months to sell a house due to colder weather and holiday distractions, resulting in fewer buyers actively searching for homes. Homes tend to spend a higher number of days on the market during this period.

Get a Fast and Hassle-Free Home Sale

If you want to sell your home quickly without dealing with repairs, showings, or financing contingencies, consider selling to a trusted cash buyer like 800CashToday. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation offer and close in as little as 10 days.

Sources

1. Zillow. What Is the Average Time to Sell a House?