How Long Does It Take to Sell a House? (And What Can Slow It Down)

If you’ve ever thought, “How long is this whole selling process actually going to take?”—you’re not alone.

We pulled this one straight from the FAQ page on RethinkingRE.com, because it’s a question we get all the time. The short answer? Most homes close within 6 to 10 weeks after going live. But the longer answer—well, it depends.

Here's what really goes into the timeline when you sell a house, and why “just getting it listed” is only one part of the picture.

1. Getting Your House Ready (1–3 weeks)

This is where things start.
Cleaning. Decluttering. Maybe staging. Definitely photos.

If you're doing repairs or a pre-listing inspection, tack on a few extra days (or weeks, depending on what shows up). But this part is 100% in your control—and it sets the tone for how fast things move later.

2. Time on Market (5–30+ days)

In a hot market, your home might sell in under a week.
In a slower one? Could take a month.

Price and presentation play a big role here. Overpricing adds time. Strong marketing cuts it. You don't have to wait forever—but you do have to be realistic.

3. Escrow Period (30–45 days)

Once you're under contract, things shift to the behind-the-scenes stuff:

• Inspections

• Appraisals

• Title

• Loan approvals

• (And yep, more negotiations sometimes)

Most escrows take about 30 to 45 days. This is standard. It’s also when the “hurry up and wait” part of real estate kicks in.

4. What If the Buyer Has to Sell Their Home First?

This is the wild card.

If your buyer is relying on selling their own home before they can buy yours, it can add 2 to 6+ weeks—sometimes more.

Here’s the range:

• Their home isn’t listed yet? That’s a long road.

• It’s listed, but no offer yet? Expect delays.

• It’s under contract? Better, but you're still waiting on their escrow to close.

A solid contract will spell out deadlines, and ideally include a “bump clause”—so you can keep showing your home in case a better offer comes along.

5. Total Time from Listing to Close (45–75 days, usually)

That’s the general window if things go smoothly. Add time if:

• There’s a buyer contingency

• Financing gets tricky (VA or FHA loans can move slower)

• Repairs get negotiated after inspections

Bottom line: expect 6–10 weeks, but don’t be shocked if it takes a little longer.

6. Need to Sell Faster? There’s a Way.

Cash buyers and investors can close in 7–14 days.
The catch? You’ll likely be selling below market value.

But if speed matters more than price—maybe you're relocating, maybe you're in escrow elsewhere—it’s an option worth knowing about.

Want more answers like this?
This one came from the FAQ section at RethinkingRE.com, where we break down real real estate questions without the fluff. Check it out if you want to get smart on selling (or buying) without falling into Google rabbit holes.

And if you're stuck trying to figure out what your timeline might look like? Reach out. We can walk through the details together.

Talk to Don or Susie at 253-987-6789