How long it takes to sell a house depends on price, condition, location, season and the current market. A sale has three stages: getting the home ready, the time it takes to receive and accept an offer, and escrow. When the buyer is using a loan, escrow commonly takes roughly 30 to 45 days.
What are the stages of selling a house?
A sale moves through three stages, and each one has its own timeline.
- Preparation. Repairs, cleaning, decluttering, photos and paperwork before the home goes on the market.
- Time on the market. Showings, offers and negotiation until you accept an offer.
- Escrow. Inspections, disclosures, appraisal, loan approval and closing.
The first and third stages are fairly predictable. The middle stage varies the most.
How long does it take to get a house ready to list?
It depends on the condition of the home and how much you choose to do. A clean, well maintained house may only need a light tidy and photos. A home that needs repairs, painting or a major clear-out takes longer, and contractor schedules often set the pace.
Starting early gives you the most choices, particularly if you want to list at a certain time of year.
What affects how quickly a house gets an offer?
Price has the biggest influence, followed by condition, location and the market at the time you list. No one can promise how fast a particular home will sell, but these are the factors that matter most:
- Price. Homes priced in line with recent comparable sales tend to draw more showings than homes priced above them.
- Condition and presentation. Clean, repaired, well photographed homes are easier for buyers to say yes to.
- Location and property type. A tract home in Temecula or Murrieta may have many similar recent sales to guide buyers. Custom homes and acreage have fewer close comparisons, and buyers often take longer to decide.
- Season. Buyer activity usually rises and falls over the year.
- Market conditions. The number of competing listings and the cost of financing change how many buyers are looking.
- Access. Homes that are easy to show get seen by more buyers.
How long does escrow take?
When the buyer is financing the purchase, escrow commonly takes roughly 30 to 45 days after an offer is accepted. The length is negotiated in the purchase contract, so it can be shorter or longer.
During that time the buyer completes inspections, the lender orders an appraisal and finishes underwriting, the title company prepares for the transfer, and both sides sign closing documents. A cash purchase has no loan to approve, so it can often close sooner if both parties want that.
What can delay a home sale?
Most delays come from the loan, the property or the paperwork. Common causes include:
- Slow loan approval or a change in the buyer’s finances
- An appraisal below the contract price
- Repair negotiations after inspections
- Title problems, such as an old lien that was never cleared
- Waiting on HOA documents
- A buyer who needs to sell another home first
- Trust, probate or estate paperwork
Completing your disclosures early and responding quickly to escrow requests helps avoid delays on the seller’s side.
How do I plan a sale around a move?
Work backward from the date you need to be out. Add time for preparation, an allowance for time on the market, and the escrow period. If you need flexibility, terms such as a longer escrow or renting the home back from the buyer for a short time after closing can be negotiated. For help mapping out a timeline, you can contact Aimee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my house faster by lowering the price?
Price is the factor sellers control most directly, and a lower price generally attracts more buyers. It is not a guarantee, and it affects what you net, so review the comparable sales with your agent before changing it.
Do cash sales close faster than financed sales?
They often can, because there is no lender underwriting or lender-required appraisal. The buyer still usually wants time for inspections, and title and escrow still need time to do their work.
Is there a best time of year to sell?
Buyer activity tends to vary by season, but a well prepared, well priced home can sell at any time of year. The right time also depends on your own plans and on how much competition there is when you list.
When do I have to move out?
Possession is set in the purchase contract. Often the seller moves out by the close of escrow, but a later date can be negotiated, sometimes with the seller renting back for a short period.
Planning a Sale Around a Timeline?
Aimee Ghafouri is a real estate agent based in Temecula who grew up in Murrieta and works with buyers, sellers and investors across the Temecula Valley and southwest Riverside County.
Aimee Ghafouri, 951 Properties, CAL DRE #02193341. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.
