How long does it take to sell a house?

If you're ready to sell your house, you're probably hoping to quickly find a new buyer and move on. But a house could be on the market for a matter of days up to several months, based on the condition of the property, location, real estate market, and price.

Learn more about the average time to sell a house and how to prepare your home for a quick sale.

What is the average time to sell a house?

As of July 2024, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found that a typical U.S. home sits on the market for a median of 50 days. This data includes all property listings from the date they’re first listed to the moment their status switches to pending, off-market, or closing. In comparison, last year, the average U.S. home sold within two weeks of being on the market according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. 

Every homeowner’s experience is a little different, however. Your property’s location, the local real estate market, and similar factors can affect the speed of your home sale. 

What factors affect the time to sell a house?

Whether your home has already been on the market for a long time or you’re thinking about listing it, keep the following factors in mind:

• Real estate market conditions: Supply and demand play an important role in local real estate. In a seller’s market, there are fewer homes available and greater demand. This can lead to faster sales and higher home prices. In a buyer’s market, supply exceeds demand — and sales may take longer.
• Home price: The average price of new homes was $514,800 in July 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. Not all homes are equally valued, but pricing your home appropriately could help it sell faster. 
• Location: Buyers may see certain locations as more — or less — desirable than others. If your property is located in an area where demand is high, it could speed up your house sale.
• Property condition: Factors like the home’s age and condition can also affect the timeline. A house that needs major repairs, for example, could take longer to sell or receive lower bids.
• Marketing: How you market your property can also affect how long it takes to sell. While there’s no standard house-selling process, marketing your home appropriately could attract more buyers. For example, homes listed on the local multiple listing service (MLS) typically sell faster than homes sold off the MLS.

“Real estate is hyper-local, so talking to a real estate professional who can explain the differences and properly analyze the current market conditions will best position you for success and a quicker sale,” said Andrew McGranaghan, chief development officer at Wallace Real Estate.

How to prepare your house for a faster sale

Ready to sell your home? Here are some home preparation tips to speed up the process:

• Have a strategy in place: Start by deciding whether to sell your home on your own — as a “for sale by owner” (FSBO) listing — or with a real estate agent. FSBO homes tend to sell faster than agent-assisted ones since more than half of sellers tend to have a buyer in mind, like a family member or friend. An FSBO sale might not be as effective if you don’t have a prospective buyer.
• Take care of any major repairs: Before listing your property, get a home inspection done and make any necessary repairs. These could be minor, like fixing a leaky faucet or patching up old nail holes, or major, like replacing an old roof or updating your electrical system.
• Stage your home: Either with the help of a real estate agent or on your own, clean and stage your home. You may also want to depersonalize your home by putting away personal belongings that might deter a potential buyer. Outside of the house, updating your landscaping, maintaining your lawn, and putting on a new coat of paint could attract more buyers.
• Do some local market research and pick a date: Find out how long homes in your area tend to stay on the market. This can give you a clearer idea of how long it will take to sell your property. If the average time to sell a house is on the higher side, prepare to list your home sooner to account for that.
• Determine the sales price: Pricing your home accurately — not too low or high — could speed up the selling process. If you have a real estate agent, they'll do a comparative market analysis to determine the best sales price. If you’re going it alone, you can hire a professional appraiser to give you an objective analysis of your home's value. You can also use an online platform like Realtor.com or Zillow to get an estimate of local home values.
• List your home: When you’re ready, you can list your home online. Keep in mind that you’ll need a licensed real estate agent to list on the local MLS. If you don’t have an agent, you may be able to get your home listed on the MLS using a flat-fee listing service.

How does pricing impact the sale time?

Getting the pricing right is crucial to selling your home quickly and getting a fair offer.

“The primary factors that impact a home's marketability include price, condition of the home, and location,” McGranaghan said. “The seller can really only influence price and condition, so coming up with a successful pricing strategy and getting the home properly prepared for the market will make a big difference in how long the selling process takes and ultimately the terms of the sale.”

“Understanding buyers' needs and pricing the home properly will remain the best strategy for a quick and successful sale,” McGranaghan said.

What are the best marketing strategies to sell a house quickly?

Having the right marketing strategies in place can also speed up the house sale. Here are some techniques to help sell your house faster:

• Use a listing or real estate agent: A professional can create a property listing, promote your home, and coordinate showings with prospective buyers. They can also help with the negotiation process.
• Stage your home: Both the interior and exterior of your home should be as presentable as possible. Keep your property neat and tidy while your home is on the market. “Ultimately, decluttering, enhancing the curb appeal, and making sure the home is clean and free from any odors are some of the easiest and most effective ways to showcase your home on the market,” said McGranaghan.
• Get professional photos: High-quality photos that showcase the best of your home can go a long way to attracting buyers. Make sure the photos are bright and that every room is clearly lit.
• Schedule open houses: Regular open houses can draw in potential buyers. You can arrange these with an agent or on your own. A clean and tidy home can be more appealing to homebuyers. A strategically placed bouquet could also entice buyers to stay longer and check out your home.
• Write a great listing: Whatever platform you choose to list your home, highlight your home's best features. This could include emphasizing its prime location, square footage, recent upgrades, energy-efficient appliances, hardwood floors, or a new roof.
• Use other platforms, too: You can also market your home via sites like Craigslist, an MLS (with an agent or upfront fee), or a local Facebook sales group.

What is the typical closing timeline?

The typical time to close could be between a week to 60 days. Here are some of the key steps to expect on the closing timeline:

• The offer is accepted, and the property is under contract,
• Inspections and appraisals, if needed, are scheduled.
• You’ll complete a final walk-through a few days before the close date.
• At closing, you’ll sign paperwork transferring the title to the new owner.

Unless they’re paying in cash, homebuyers generally need to get a mortgage, which can lengthen the time it takes to close. They’ll also need to handle other items leading up to closing, which can take extra time:

• Get financing, such as conventional or government-backed loans
• Take out homeowners insurance
• Schedule inspection and appraisal
• Perform title search and apply for title insurance

“Homes that are priced appropriately and marketed professionally are often under contract within the first few weeks on the market,” McGranaghan said. “Contract periods vary depending on financing terms, inspection periods, and title work review. Twenty-five to 35 days from initial contract to final closing is not uncommon in many markets.”

Staying involved during the closing process can help speed up the timeline. Make sure your home is in good condition and that any contingencies for the sale are met promptly. Keep the lines of communication open with your agent — if applicable — and anyone else involved in the transaction until you’ve completed closing.

How long does it take to sell a house FAQ

What is the average time to sell a house?

The average time to sell a house depends on several factors, such as the property location, condition, and local real estate market conditions. In 2023, the average sales time was two weeks, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

How can I sell my house faster?

You may be able to speed up the house-selling timeline by hiring a professional real estate or listing agent to market and promote your home. Knowing the local real estate market and current sales prices of homes is also important. Before even listing your home, get it professionally cleaned and staged — inside and out — to help ensure a faster sale.

What factors can delay the sale of a house?

There are several factors affecting a home’s sale time. If, for example, the buyer gets a professional home inspection done, this could cause a brief delay. If the inspector finds issues that need to be fixed, this can cause further delays. Title issues, difficulty securing financing, appraisal discrepancies, and property disputes can also slow down the process.

How long does it take to close on a house after an offer is accepted?

Once the seller accepts an offer, the closing process can take anywhere from three to six weeks on average. During this time, the homebuyer will schedule an inspection and pay earnest money, and you might make repairs or negotiate the price if any issues arise.

Can market conditions affect how long it takes to sell a house?

When demand is high and supply is low — as is the case in a seller’s market — you’re more likely to sell your home faster. Lower demand or higher supply could lengthen the time it takes to sell your home. Mortgage interest rates can also affect the timeline, as consumers are less likely to buy when rates are high.