How long does it take to sell a house?

According to May 2025 data from the National Association of REALTORS^®, the average time it takes to sell a home was 86 days. Keep in mind, that figure reflects the period from listing to closing and does not include the time it takes to prepare the home before you put it on the market. Here’s a closer look at the different factors that will impact how long it takes you to find a buyer and close on the deal.

Key takeaways

According to data from NAR, homes are listed on the market for an average of 51 days and then take an average of 35 days to sell.

The time it takes to sell your home will depend on the condition of the home, the local market, your asking price, and more.

If you need to sell your home quickly, it can help to list your house for a fair price and perform necessary repairs and upgrades.

What affects the speed of a home sale?

How quickly your home sells will depend on different factors, including:

• The housing market
• The amount of time it’s been listed on the market
• Your asking price
• The condition of your home
• The type of property
• Your marketing strategies

Status of the local housing market

The status of both the national housing market and local housing market where you live can each affect how quickly your home sells. It’s important to determine whether it’s a seller’s market or a buyer’s market.

• Seller’s market: In a seller’s market, the demand for homes exceeds the supply on the market. This gives the seller an advantage and can help you find a buyer more quickly.
• Buyer’s market: In a buyer’s market, the housing supply exceeds demand. This gives buyers and advantage and can mean it takes longer to sell, and you may have to make certain concessions in negotiation.

It’s also important to distinguish between market conditions both on the national and local level. For example, it might be a buyer’s market on the national level, but if your neighborhood has been deteriorating or has been subject to safety concerns, if might be harder to sell your home. If it’s a buyer’s market and your neighborhood is booming, you may end up with a bidding war. On the other hand, if the country is in recession but you live in a community that’s been developing quickly, you may have no problem finding a good offer.

If you want to know if you’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market, here are some indicators that can help you find out:

• Current inventory. If there are a lot of available homes listed, that points to a buyer’s market. If current listings are getting snatched up quickly, it’s likely a seller’s market.
• Recent sales. If homes have been selling for above the asking price, then it’s likely a buyer’s market. If sellers have had to cut their asking price, that points to a buyer’s market.
• Interest rates. If interest rates are low, that allows more buyers to enter the market and compete with each other, giving sellers an advantage. If interest rates are high, that prohibits more people from being able to buy, which can lead to a buyer’s market.

Number of days on the market

How long your home has been listed on the market will affect the sale as well. That’s because potential buyers may assume there’s something wrong with the house. According to the NAR data, the average amount of time that a house stays listed on the market is 51 days.

Your asking price

When you list your home on the market, the asking price you’ve chosen can have a direct impact on how quickly it sells. If your listing price is too high relative to its current market value, it can make it harder to find a buyer. The damage could be compounded if this results in your home sitting on the market for months.

If you price your home too low, you might receive offers sooner, but you could end up selling your home for less than you could’ve gotten. That’s why it’s important to put real thought into your listing price and work with your real estate agent to come up with an appropriate figure. Your real estate agent can research what comparable homes in area have recently sold for to give you a good idea of what you could get for yours without asking for too much.

Type of property you’re selling

There can be different levels of demand for certain property types. For example, condos tend to be harder to sell because of restrictive HOAs and financing a condo can be more difficult. Housing inventory for different property types can also affect the timeline of your sale. For instance, if you own a townhouse in areas where townhouses are in short supply and high demand, you may have no issue finding an interested buyer quickly.

Condition of your home

If your home is new and well maintained, it will likely sell much faster than a house that needs a lot of work done. Most buyers want to move into a home that isn’t going to need to be fixed up. If your home is older, damaged, or has broken systems or appliances, this can limit potential buyers and the amount you’ll be able to get for it. While some buyers are open to taking on a fixer-upper, they’re going to expect a deal on it. Consider the state of the following features that can lower the value of your home:

• Your appliances
• The floors or carpets
• The HVAC systems
• Structural integrity
• Kitchen style
• Year the home was built
• Landscaping

If the home inspection reveals problems with the phone that the buyer didn’t already know about, this can delay the sale. Many buyers include a home inspection contingency in the purchase agreement that allows them to negotiate for the seller to cover repairs of they can walk away from the deal. If you’re in a rush to sell the home or don’t want to invest in improving the home before the sale, you have the option of listing it “as-is,” though you’ll be required to disclose any known defects.

Your marketing strategies

It’s harder to find a buyer if nobody knows your home is for sale. Hiring an experienced real estate agent is the first step toward getting the word out that your house is for sale and marketing it toward potential buyers. Your real estate agent can help you:

• Stage the home
• Have professional photos taken to help it stand out among other listings
• Put up yard signs
• Use word of mouth
• Set up online advertising of your home on listing sites and social media
• Hold open houses and private showings

Time it takes to close 

According to the recent data from NAR, it takes an average of 35 days to close on a house after an offer is accepted. Here are some issues that could hold up your closing:

• The inspection reveals issues with the condition of home
• The appraisal comes in lower than expected
• The title search reveals unsettled liens against the property
• The buyer is unable to secure financing
• The buyer is unable to sell their current home

Should any of these problems arise, you can negotiate with the buyer to find a solution. In many cases, both parties are able to find a solution – though the negotiation process can make your home sale take longer.

Ways to sell your house faster

Selling a home can feel like a stressful and overwhelming amount of work, but it’s also important not to rush through the process. If you’re working under a deadline and want to sell your home quickly, here are some tips on how you can help expedite the sale. 

List your home at a fair price

One of the biggest mistakes that a buyer can make is overpricing their home. Over time, you’ll be forced to drop your price, and your home will remain on the market longer than desired. Pay close attention to what similar homes have sold for recently to come up with a fair listing price. It’s also helpful to be open to negotiation and counteroffers from buyers.

Work with the right real estate agent

Hiring an experienced real estate agent who understands your local market and has a strong track record of successful sales can help you sell your home faster. A good real estate agent can be an important ally who helps prepare your home for listing so that it’s ready to be shown once it hits the market. Your agent can help you come up with the right asking price and hold open houses and private showings for interested buyers. Once you have an offer, your real estate agent can help you navigate any negotiations that should arise.

Invest in repairs and upgrades 

Before you list your property on the market, take note of its condition. If there are improvements that can make the home more attractive buyers, it can help expedite your home sale. Some of the major things that you should focus on include:

• Small repairs or upgrades. Make a list of things around the house that are either broken or could use an upgrade. This might include broken appliances, light fixtures, holes in the wall, or leaky faucets. Hiring a professional or fixing these things yourself can make a big difference to buyers.
• Repaint. Whether you’re planning on renting or selling your house, giving it a little TLC can help you attract qualified tenants or buyers quickly. One of the easiest ways to improve your home is by repainting the interior with a neutral beige. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to save you some time.
• Minimizing clutter. When potential buyers enter your home, they don’t want to see clutter. It can make the house feel lived-in and make it harder for them to visualize themselves living there. Consider throwing away, donating, or storing items in a storage facility prior to any home showings.
• Clean. On top of reducing your clutter, you should also make sure your home is clean. Dirty surfaces can also give buyers a negative impression. Scrubbing your windows, floors, countertops, faucets, and shower walls are all important. Consider hiring professionals to perform a deep clean.
• Enhancing curb appeal. The exterior of your home is just as important as the interior. Because it’s the first thing a buyer sees, you’ll want to make sure it’s in good condition. Maintaining your lawn, adding some flowers, or repainting your front door can all improve your curb appeal.

When is the best time to sell a house?

The best time to sell a house is when you’re ready – both financially and emotionally. Some sellers become motivated to buy due to changes in market conditions, while others do so after a major life event. The timing of when you put the house on the market can also make a difference, as there are certain times of year that can be favorable to sellers.

The real estate market tends to heat up in the spring and summer. In a 2025 analysis based on market conditions, prices, demand, and seasonal trends, NAR identified April 13 - 19 as the best week of the year to sell. The data showed this time of year to bring above-average prices and buyer demand, faster market pace, and less competition from sellers.

FAQ

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about how long it takes to sell a house.

Can you sell a house in 30 days?

It typically takes at least 30 days to close on a home, but that’s after you’ve already prepared the home, listed it, shown it, and received and accepted an offer.

What slows down the home selling process?

The following are some potential blockers that can slow down the home selling process:

• The house needs extensive repairs
• The home appraisal comes in lower than expected
• The home inspection reveals major issues
• The buyer can’t get financing
• A buyer’s market
• There isn’t any demand for the home

What is the slowest month to sell a house?

According to research from ATTOM Data Solutions, the slowest month to sell a house tends to be October.

What takes the longest when selling a house?

Sometimes, the part that takes the longest is getting your home ready to be listed. If you’re planning to do major repairs and renovations, that can take a few months. For other properties that might be in poor condition or a frigid market, it can take a few months to get an offer. Closing typically takes 30 – 60 days but can take longer if there’s a major hold-up.

The bottom line: Don’t rush the process of selling a house

There’s a lot that goes into selling your home, some of which is out of your control. So, you can’t know in advance exactly how long this process will take. How quickly your home sells will depend on a variety of factors, including the market conditions, the state of your home, and where your property is located. However, you can help this process move more quickly by getting a head start and making improvements to your home to get it ready for sale.

Working with an experienced real estate agent, pricing your home correctly, and using a professional photographer for the listing photos can make a big difference in how quickly your home sells. Once you’re ready to sell your home and begin looking for a new one, you can get started on your mortgage application with Rocket Mortgage^®.