Time to sell | Steps to sell | How to sell your house fast | FAQ
Selling a house is rarely instant, but it also doesn't have to drag on forever. On average, it takes 45 to 60 days to sell a home nationwide, from listing to closing. That timeline includes about 30 to 45 days under contract once you've accepted an offer.
But many factors can speed things up or cause serious delays. Where you live, how your home is priced, and the condition it’s in all play a role. We’ll break down the full home-selling timeline, show you how to sell faster, and explain what to expect at every step.
How long does it take to sell a house?
Most homes sell within 45 to 60 days, but your timeline may be longer or shorter depending on market conditions. Here’s how it typically breaks down:
| Stage | Time Estimate |
| Prepping your home | 2–4 weeks |
| Days on market | 10–30+ days |
| Time to close after offer | 30–45 days |
| Total time to sell | 45–90 days |
According to Zillow, homes spent an average of 47 days on the market in mid 2025. But your specific location makes a big difference. For example:
- Fastest markets: Boston, MA; San Jose, CA; Hartford, CT (7–9 days on market)
- Slower markets: Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Memphis, TN (29–60 days on market)
Note
This data doesn't include the time required to prep your home for sale. Cleaning, decluttering, repairs, and staging can add several more weeks upfront.
Steps to selling a house (and how long each takes)
When selling your home, the process begins long before you list your house on the market. Let’s look at the preliminary steps, as well as marketing, and closing the deal.
» MORE: 12 Simple Steps to a Fast Sale!
1. Find a great real estate agent (1–2 weeks)
Finding a quality realtor shouldn’t take more than a week or two. If a candidate is too busy to meet with you within that time frame, they probably won’t be a great match.
Look for a well-connected local realtor who’s familiar with the area. Check your local multiple listing service (MLS) to see the realtor’s sales history. Then set up an interview if you like what you see.
Experts recommend meeting with at least three agents before making a decision.
2. Prepare your home for sale (2–6 weeks)
Depending on your home's condition, this stage can take anywhere from a few days to more than a month. If you're listing your property "as is," this process might be faster.
Ask your agent what you need to do to get the house ready. At the bare minimum plan to:
- Clean and declutter
- Make small repairs (fix leaky faucets, replace lightbulbs, etc.)
- Boost curb appeal
- Remove personal items
3. List your home (1–3 days)
Listing your home can take a few days to a week. Work with your agent to set a listing price and to highlight the best features of the home in the listing description.
A great listing includes:
- Professional photography
- A compelling description
- 3D walkthroughs or video tours
- Floorplans or aerial shots (optional, but helpful)
Then your agent will publish the listing on the MLSs, Zillow, Trulia, and other listing sites. Once the listing goes up, you can share it on social media.
4. Show your home and review offers (1–4 weeks)
This step is unpredictable. If your home is well-priced and marketing correctly, you could receive offers within days. In slower markets or off-peak seasons, it could take several weeks.
What can you do to speed it up? Keep your home in show-worthy condition and be flexible with your schedule. Don’t turn down opportunities to show the house or you might miss out on potential buyers.
5. Negotiate (2–7 days)
Once you have offers, your agent will guide you through negotiations. This process may include:
- Reviewing contingencies
- Requesting more earnest money
- Price adjustments
- Discussing repair requests
It may take a couple of days to relay offers and counteroffers between your agent and the buyer's agent before you settle on an acceptable purchase agreement.
6. Go under contract and enter the contingency period (30–45 days)
Once you're under contract, the buyer typically has 30–45 days to:
- Complete inspections and appraisals
- Finalize mortgage approval
- Fulfill any sale-of-home contingencies
You might need to negotiate repairs based on the inspection results, which can delay closing if not handled quickly.
7. Close (1 day)
Closing day is when you sign the paperwork, collect your proceeds, and hand over the keys. This usually takes just an hour or two, but it only happens once all other steps are complete.
How to sell your house fast
You have options to speed up the process if you want to sell your home fast.
List with an experienced real estate agent
An experienced local realtor will know how to sell fast without sacrificing profit. Also, they can use their real estate connections to attract qualified buyers.
Using a realtor isn't as fast as selling to an iBuyer. But you’ll get more money, especially with a low-commission agent. We can match you with experienced realtors who provide comprehensive listing services for only 1.5% instead of the standard 2.5–3% rate.
Sell to an iBuyer or a cash buyer
Cash buyers and iBuyer companies can buy your home fast (sometimes within 48 hours). But the speed comes at a price. iBuyers’ and cash buyers’ offers are much lower than those on the open market.
These buyers typically offer 70–80% of the home’s market value because they plan to flip the property for a profit.
The upside is that you can skip most of the steps in the selling process. Instead, you’ll go from offer and acceptance straight to closing. So you’ll need to weigh the benefits of a speedy, uncomplicated sale against a much lower sales price.
Prep your house for a fast sale
Want to sell quickly without sacrificing price? Try this:
- Price your home just below market value to generate interest and competition
- Pre-inspect to avoid surprise delays
- Stage your home for broad appeal
- List during peak months (typically spring and early summer)
FAQ
How long do most homes take to sell?
Most homes sell in 45–60 days, but total timelines can range from 30 days to 3+ months depending on your prep time, local market, and buyer financing.
How long does it take to close on a house after an offer?
It typically takes 30 to 45 days to close once a contract is signed. Closing may take longer if the buyer is using a mortgage or the home needs repairs after inspection.
What's the fastest way to sell a house?
The fastest methods include selling to a cash buyer or iBuyer, which can result in a sale in under 10 days. However, working with a skilled agent who prices your home correctly can get you close to full market value in a shorter-than-average timeline.
What delays a home sale?
Common causes of delays include:
• Incomplete repairs or inspection issues
• Appraisal shortfalls
• Buyer financing problems
• Contingencies (such as the buyer needing to sell their home first)
Related reading
How to Sell Your House: 12 Simple Steps to a Fast Sale! Wondering how to sell your house fast and for top dollar? We've got you covered. Read our 12-step guide.
Selling a House After 1 Year or Less? Read This First! If you sell a house less than a year after buying, you're looking at high capital gains taxes and other expenses. Learn what to expect.