One of the most common questions homeowners ask when preparing for sale is how long it takes to sell a home. Although this process is very different, the average national time to sell a home is usually in the range of 55-70 days from listing to closing.
This is a general range, but your own sales timeline can be short or long depending on your pricing strategy, location of your home, how quickly you respond to offers, and the buyer’s funding situation. So, whether you’re considering selling a home in Austin or trying to list a home for sale in Denver, you need to know how long it will take to sell your home.
How much does most homes cost to sell?
The time it takes to sell a home can vary based on many factors, but the stages of the home selling process are usually the same wherever you are. The following guide provides a general timeline:
Home Preparation (1-3 weeks): This phase includes cleaning, tidying, staging, and completing minor repairs and updates. Professional photos have been taken and your home is listed in the housing market. Active Listing Period (10-30 days): Once listed, your home will receive a show and potential buyers can submit offers. In hot markets, this can happen in just a few days. However, if the market slows down, it can take several weeks. Offer Negotiation and Acceptance (1-5 days): After receiving one or more offers, review terms, negotiate prices or contingencies, and accept the best deal. A quick response from both sides can speed up this. Inspection and evaluation (7-14 days): After signing the contract, the buyer arranges an inspection of the house, and the lender orders an evaluation. If a problem is found, this stage may include a renegotiation or a repair agreement. Final Loan Approval and Escrow (2-4 weeks): Buyer’s lender completes underwriting, validates the document and prepares for closure. The Title Company ensures that all legal and financial requirements are met. Closed (1 day): Both parties will sign the required documents and transfer ownership. The seller receives the revenue and the buyer delivers the keys of the new home.
Total Average Timeline: 55-70 days from listing to closing. This will depend on market conditions, buyer financing, property status, and how quickly each party responds during the process.
>>Read: How to sell your home faster
What makes it take time to sell a house?
Several major factors can speed up or slow down your home sales. Understanding these will help you better position your property and manage your expectations.
Location: Homes in highly desirable areas, including excellent schools, new infrastructure, and proximity to the city centre, are looking to sell faster. Homes in more rural or isolated areas usually take longer due to limited interest from buyers.
Price: While expensive homes often remain in the market, a list of competitive prices draws more attention and offers. A home pricing that is slightly below market value can lead to multiple bids and faster sales.
Conditions and Staging: Clean, updated, move-in ready homes tend to appeal to a wider range of buyers. A little investment in curb appeal and minor improvements can reduce market time by weeks.
Equivalent Sale: If a similar property in your area is on sale within a few weeks, it is a good indication that you may see similar results, assuming that the price of your property is abundant and presented.
How quickly can you sell your house?
In a competitive housing market, homes can receive offers within the first 24-72 hours of being listed. The fastest sales usually occur when the home is priced attractively, well shown and effectively sold to the right buyers.
However, even if your home has a quick contract, the sale will not be completed until the deadline. The average time to close at home is around 30-45 days. This period includes inspecting buyers, valuing, loan approval, title work, and final negotiations. Delays can occur at any stage, so regardless of the contract stage, sellers must prepare for unexpected issues.
Which size home sells the fastest?
The fastest selling homes are usually 1,500-2,000 square feet. These medium-sized homes are appealing to a wide range of buyers, including first-time homeowners, young families and seniors, who are trying to shrink without sacrificing comfort.
Large homes with luxurious features and over price tags tend to take longer to sell due to the smaller pool of qualified buyers. At the same time, very small or old homes could be on the market if repairs or updates are needed. Generally, homes that offer flexible spaces, modern features and reasonable price ranges move faster than they cater to the niche market.
What month is the most difficult to sell a house?
Times have a big impact on how long it takes to sell your home. Spring and early summer are generally considered to be the best times to sell, with more buyers actively searching and competing for homes.
Conversely, the most difficult month to sell a home is usually from November to February. During winter holidays and cold months:
Few active buyers travel due to weather and school schedules.
If you need to sell in these late months, consider offering incentives to adjust your pricing and attract attention.
What is the longest time to sell a house?
There are several points in the sales process where delays are common. Overpricing your home is often the first and most important factor in extending your time in the market. Buyers are increasingly familiar with the listing data and market comparisons.
Condition is also important. A home that requires large repairs or cosmetic updates is more likely to be handed over in favor of a ready property. Many buyers want a home that can be settled immediately, especially when mortgage rates are high and budgets are becoming more stringent.
Even after the offer is accepted, funding delays, assessments, inspection negotiations, or title issues can halt the process. These backend challenges are one of the most common reasons for delaying home closings, allowing you to extend your timeline beyond your initial expectations.
How long should I live in the house before selling it?
If you are thinking about reselling value and tax effects first, a good rule of living in your home for 5 years before selling is a good rule of thumb. From an economic standpoint, if you sell too quickly, you can experience losses. Especially if you have made small payments to the mortgage principal. Waiting five years before bringing your home back to the market will take you the following time.
Build fairness and avoid losing it and selling. Pay upfront costs for closing and moving. You can qualify for a tax-free capital gains (for two years of the past five years, you must have lived in your home to exclude a profit of up to $250,000, or $500,000 from your taxes).
If the sale is too early, it will cost you. Especially when the home price is not fully valued to offset transaction fees. Living in your home for several years also gives you time to make improvements that can increase your resale value
Final thoughts on how long it takes to sell a house
Understanding your home sales timeline will help you plan better and avoid unnecessary stress. The most successful home sales come from a combination of excellent timing, smart pricing, thoughtful preparation and market-savvy guidance. If you are preparing to list your property, use our online resources to understand your market and find a local Redfin real estate agent who can create customized strategies for your home.
