How Long Does It Take To Sell a House?

As of February 2025, the national average from listing to closing is about 78.5 days - median 54 days on market to an accepted offer, then roughly 24.5 days to close, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

TL;DR: How Long It Takes to Sell a House (2025)

• National average: ~78.5 days from listing to closing (NAR).

• Median days on market: 54 days to accepted offer; ~24.5 to close.

• Pricing, condition, marketing, and financing drive most timing differences.

• Cash or iBuyer sales (e.g., Opendoor) can close in as little as 14–21 days, but may net slightly less.

• Seasonal peaks: April–October; slower in winter months.

Understanding the average timeline to sell a house

The selling process has three phases that determine total time to sell: days on market (DOM), contract-to-close, and post-closing. Nationally, in February 2025, the median DOM was 54 days, though local markets vary widely, as reported by Realtor.com.

Days on market (DOM) is the interval from listing to an accepted offer and indicates market heat - lower DOM means faster sales and stronger buyer demand; higher DOM can signal weak demand or pricing problems, according to Zillow's market research.

The contract-to-close phase averages about 24.5 days and covers inspections, appraisal, underwriting, and final preparations, based on data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Post-closing activities - moving, possession transfer, and final walkthrough - vary by agreement.

Use these national averages as a baseline; expect local conditions, pricing, and your chosen selling method to change your timeline.

Key factors influencing how long it takes to sell a house

Pricing is the most decisive factor - competitively priced homes sell faster; overpriced properties can sit for months, according to Freddie Mac's research. Condition and preparation matter: move-in ready homes attract buyers and faster offers, while homes needing repairs slow the process.

Marketing quality - photos, online exposure, and showing availability - directly affects interest, as shown in studies by the National Association of Realtors. Location and neighborhood demand create the market backdrop; seasonality typically increases activity in spring and summer, according to Realtor.com's seasonal trends data.

Buyer financing affects speed: cash buyers close fastest, pre-approved mortgage buyers move quicker than those still securing loans, per Ellie Mae's Origination Insight Report. iBuyers (technology-driven cash buyers) use algorithms to make near-instant offers and often promise faster closings and fewer showings; for example, Opendoor can deliver cash offers within about 24 hours. Offer timelines, closing dates, and fees vary by market, property condition, and other factors. Receiving an offer from Opendoor does not guarantee a specific price or savings compared with listing traditionally.

Broader economic conditions - job growth, interest rates, and housing inventory - shape buyer demand, as tracked by the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Low inventory tends to shorten DOM and create a seller's market; high inventory lengthens sale times.

Different selling methods and their timelines

Your selling method affects speed and net proceeds; faster options usually lower your sale price after fees, according to research from CoreLogic.

Timelines vary by market, buyer financing, and property condition. Receiving an offer from Opendoor does not guarantee savings or equal market value.

Speed and convenience trade off against net proceeds: traditional listings often yield more, while cash and iBuyer routes offer certainty and speed at a cost.

Traditional home sales

Traditional agent-assisted sales commonly take 60–90 days from listing to closing, based on NAR's Existing Home Sales data. Typical steps: prepare listing and photos, launch marketing, showings/open houses, negotiate offers, execute contract, inspections, appraisal, lender underwriting, and closing. Each step can introduce delays.

Inspections usually occur within 7–10 days of offer acceptance, with reports in 1–2 days; repair negotiations can add days or weeks, according to the American Society of Home Inspectors. Appraisal scheduling depends on property complexity and appraiser workload and can be a bottleneck, as reported by the Appraisal Institute. Underwriting generally takes 2–3 weeks but may extend with additional documentation or issues, per Fannie Mae's guidelines.

Cash sales and iBuying options like Opendoor

Cash sales are the fastest, sometimes closing in about two weeks, because they remove mortgage contingencies and often waive appraisals, according to RealtyTrac data. iBuyers like Opendoor provide a cash offer quickly (often within 24 hours) and can close in as few as 14 days or on a flexible schedule chosen by the seller.

Trade-offs for speed include service fees (Opendoor typically charges around 5% plus repair allowances), and total selling costs via iBuyers can reach 7–10% or more when compared to potential market value, based on analysis from Collateral Analytics. Benefits include verified funds, rent-back options, no showings, and fewer contingency risks - advantages for sellers prioritizing certainty and convenience over maximum proceeds.

The impact of market conditions and seasonality on selling time

Market conditions set the backdrop for selling timelines. In February 2025, the national listing-to-closing average was 78.5 days; in June 2024, during a hotter market, median DOM fell to 32 days while median prices peaked at $426,900, according to Redfin's market data.

A seller's market - when demand exceeds supply - produces faster sales, rising prices, and multiple offers, as defined by the National Association of Realtors. A buyer's market lengthens DOM and shifts negotiating leverage to buyers.

Seasonality matters: April through October usually sees the most buyer activity and fastest sales; November through March is typically slower, according to Zillow's seasonal analysis. Local variations apply - areas with steady job growth or favorable climates may have less seasonal swing.

To time a sale, check recent local DOM and price trends, inventory levels, job growth, and interest rates - each affects buyer demand and closing speed, as tracked by HUD's market indicators.

Preparing your home to sell faster

Preparation reduces DOM and increases buyer interest. The biggest impacts are correct pricing and strong first impressions, according to NAR's Profile of Home Staging.

Price competitively using recent comparable sales; homes priced right often sell within the first two weeks, per Realtor.com research. Overpricing, even slightly, can cause long market times and eventual reductions.

Complete essential repairs that affect safety, function, or curb appeal. Declutter, deep clean, and depersonalize so buyers can envision the space, as recommended by the Real Estate Staging Association. Boost curb appeal with mulch, trimmed landscaping, a clean entry, and clear walkways.

Stage key rooms - living room, master bedroom, and kitchen - to highlight potential; professional staging helps but thoughtful arrangement and neutral décor can suffice, according to NAR's staging studies. Invest in high-quality listing photos and virtual tours because most buyers start online and make quick judgments, as shown by Redfin's buyer behavior research.

Common challenges that may delay the sale process

Even prepared listings face delays; knowing common issues helps mitigate them, based on industry analysis from CoreLogic.

• Poor pricing leads to long DOM and price reductions - reassess comps and adjust to re-engage buyers, per Zillow's pricing research.

• Financing contingencies cause delays or cancellations - favor buyers with pre-approval or cash offers when speed matters, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data.

• Inspection and appraisal problems can derail a sale or require negotiation - consider a pre-inspection and document past repairs, as advised by the American Society of Home Inspectors.

• Post-offer repair negotiations or appraisal shortfalls can add weeks or force a restart.

• Emotional decision-making slows negotiations - stay objective and focused on timeline and financial goals, per NAR's seller guidance.

• Market shifts during listing can change buyer expectations - be ready to pivot your strategy.

Ways to speed up selling your house

When timing is crucial, prioritize high-impact actions that draw buyers and streamline closing, based on best practices from Realtor.com.

• Price competitively on day one; slightly below market can trigger multiple offers and urgency, according to Redfin's pricing analysis.

• Consider cash buyers or iBuyers for the fastest, most certain closes, understanding the likely lower net proceeds.

• Stage key rooms and use professional photography to maximize online appeal - most buyers decide quickly from photos, per NAR's technology impact studies.

• Offer flexible showing times and respond rapidly to inquiries and offers.

• Pre-order inspections and, if feasible, appraisals to identify and fix issues early, as recommended by Fannie Mae.

• Offer incentives like covering closing costs, home warranties, or flexible possession dates to attract buyers.

The fastest sales often occur within the first few weeks - homes getting offers in 5–18 days are usually correctly priced, well-presented, and actively marketed, according to Realtor.com's market analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average time it takes to sell a house?

As of February 2025, the national average from listing to closing is about 78.5 days, with a median of 54 days on market before an accepted offer, according to NAR data; local markets and selling methods can make this much shorter or longer.

How long does it take to close after accepting an offer?

Closing typically takes 24–45 days, depending on buyer financing and contingencies, per Ellie Mae's closing time data; cash deals often close in 7–21 days, and iBuyers like Opendoor can close in as few as 14 days.

Can I sell my house in less than a week?

It's uncommon but possible - competitive pricing, move-in ready condition, strong marketing, and cash or iBuyer offers can produce offers within 5–7 days, according to Redfin's fast-sale analysis.

What is the best time of year to sell for a faster sale?

April through October generally has the most buyer activity and faster sales, but local market patterns and strong local economies can alter seasonality, based on Zillow's seasonal data.

What can I do to sell my house more quickly?

Price based on recent comps, complete essential repairs, stage and photograph professionally, offer flexible showings, and consider cash or iBuyer options like Opendoor's guaranteed offers for speed and certainty, according to industry best practices from NAR.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Always consult licensed professionals for advice on your specific situation.