How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?

On average, selling a home typically takes 30 to 90 days through a real estate agent. It includes factors such as time required for listing, showings, offers, and closing procedures.

However, selling your home directly to a house-buying company is the fastest way to sell your house. It only takes 1-2 days to get a cash offer from them. If you accept it, they can buy your home within 7 to 15 days. 

When is the Best Time To Sell a House?

Determining the best time to sell your home hinges on your personal circumstances and the duration of your residence. Additionally, there are seasonal trends to consider, influenced by historical market patterns, weather conditions, and the school calendar.

In many markets, early May is regarded as the prime time for selling, as the transition from late spring to early summer tends to yield faster sales and higher prices for homes.

Three Ways to Sell Your House

There are three main ways to sell your house:

1. House Buying Companies

Selling your house directly to a cash house buying company can complete your sale in as little as 2-3 weeks. This rapid process is beneficial if you are addressing issues like repairing a broken property chain, relocating, getting rid of unwanted investment property, or simply seeking a quick and convenient sale method. It bypasses traditional real estate timelines for a straightforward, efficient solution.

2. Real Estate Agents

Using a real estate agent for selling a house typically takes 30 to 90 days, involving listing, staging, negotiating, and administrative tasks like inspections and appraisals. Though slower than cash sales, it may yield higher prices.

3. Auction

Selling a house via auction takes an average of 2 weeks. This approach creates a competitive bidding environment that can potentially drive up the sale price. It's particularly effective for properties that may attract a lot of interest or are unique in some way. Auctions also provide certainty of sale with set dates, making it ideal for sellers seeking a quick closure.

What are the Different Stages of Selling a House?

Determining whether potential buyers will appreciate your home can be challenging, yet the process of selling a house follows a clear set of steps. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Listing the Property: 

The initial phase in selling your home is setting the right price and listing it on the market. After your property is listed, your real estate agent will arrange for potential buyers to view it through scheduled showings. 

It’s crucial to consider the timing of your listing, as the season can significantly influence how quickly your home sells.

2. Accepting an Offer: 

When offers begin to arrive for your house, the negotiation phase starts, where you'll work towards finalizing the sale price. It's common to receive offers that are below your expectations.

In such cases, you have the option to either accept the offer as presented or negotiate for a more favorable deal. Once a mutually satisfactory price is agreed upon by both you and the buyer, you can accept the offer and proceed with the sale.

3. Appraisal and Inspection Stages:

After your home is listed and an offer is accepted, the process moves into the cash appraisal and inspection phases. The appraisal is used to determine the fair market value of your property and is often required by the buyer’s mortgage lender to ensure the purchase price does not exceed the home’s worth.

During the home inspection, a professional will examine your property for any critical health, safety, or mechanical issues. Should the inspection reveal significant problems, it could lead to the buyers reconsidering their offer. In many cases, you may need to address any issues that affect the home's livability to proceed with the sale.

4. Finalizing the Sale

After completing the appraisal and inspection, there may be additional negotiations. Buyers often have specific contingencies that must be resolved before they finalize the purchase of the house.

These discussions can involve addressing any issues uncovered during the inspection or adjusting the sale terms to reflect the appraisal results.

5. Closing the Sale

The closing marks the final step in selling your home, where you'll officially transfer ownership to the new buyers. This stage involves reviewing and signing all the closing documents and receiving the sale proceeds.

By the closing date, you should have vacated the property. Ensure you collect and prepare to hand over all keys, door codes, and garage door openers to the new owners.

How To Sell Your Home Faster?

If selling your house has become challenging, there are several strategies you can use to speed the process.

1. Prepare Your House for Sale

Before listing your property, it's essential to prepare it thoroughly. Your real estate agent can advise on impactful fixes or upgrades. Focus on:

• Small repairs or upgrades: 

Address broken appliances, light fixtures, holes in walls, or leaky faucets.

• Repainting: 

Refreshing the interior with neutral colors like beige can enhance appeal.

• Decluttering: 

Remove excess items to help buyers envision themselves in the space.

• Cleaning: 

Ensure surfaces are spotless, including windows, floors, countertops, faucets, and shower walls.

• Enhancing curb appeal: 

Maintain the exterior by tending to the lawn, adding flowers, or repainting the front door to create a positive first impression.

2. Invest in Professional Listing Photos

Quality photos are crucial for attracting potential buyers online, where most home searches begin. Hiring a professional photographer to capture every room can make a significant difference in drawing interest to your property.

Investing in professional photos can speed the sale process and prevent your home from lingering on the market due to subpar images.

3. Assessing Your Home's Asking Price

Setting the right asking price is crucial to selling your home efficiently. Overpricing can lead to prolonged market time and necessitate price reductions. To prevent this, ensure your home is priced accurately from the outset to attract potential buyers effectively.

Key Factors Influencing the Speed of a Home Sale:

The duration it takes to sell your home can be significantly affected by several factors, particularly the status of the real estate market:

1. Market Condition: 

Understanding both local and national real estate market trends is crucial. 

a. Seller’s Market: Characterized by higher demand than supply, this market condition favors sellers, potentially leading to quicker sales.

b. Buyer’s Market: In this scenario, the available housing inventory exceeds demand, which may prolong the selling process and require more concessions during negotiations.

2. Number of Days on Market: 

The length of time your home has been listed can influence buyer perceptions and sale speed. Homes that remain on the market for an extended period may lead buyers to suspect issues with the property, potentially delaying the sale.

3. Setting the Right Price: 

Setting the right asking price is crucial to the speed of your sale. An asking price that does not align with the market value of your home can deter potential buyers, leading to a slower sale process.

Establishing an appropriate listing price is essential. Consulting a real estate agent can provide valuable insights into competitively pricing your home based on current market conditions.

4. Property Condition: 

The condition of your home significantly influences its selling pace. Well-maintained and newer homes generally attract buyers more swiftly than properties requiring extensive repairs. 

Buyers typically prefer move-in ready homes, minimizing the need for renovations. Additionally, the condition of appliances and flooring also plays a crucial role in buyer decision-making and can affect the speed of the sale process.

5. Location of your Property:

The location of your property significantly influences its saleability. Homes in sought-after neighborhoods tend to sell faster, while those in less desirable areas may face challenges in attracting buyers. Proximity to amenities like quality schools, grocery stores, and restaurants can enhance the appeal of your home and contribute to a quicker sale.

Key Takeaways: Selling a House Quickly

Selling your home involves numerous factors, making it challenging to predict the exact timeline. Familiarizing yourself with the selling process can provide clarity on each stage's expectations.

If you want to sell your house fast, cash home buying companies such as Mast Property Development buys houses “as-is” while offering competitive and fair cash offers to homeowners. 

They also specialize in assisting homeowners in selling their properties for any reason, be it inheritance, relocation, upgrades, downsizing, foreclosure, major repairs, divorce, bankruptcy, or health issues. Their focus is on facilitating a smooth transition out of the house without questioning the homeowner's circumstances.