Timing can make all the difference when selling your home — especially if you’re relocating for a new job, managing financial challenges, or simply ready for a fresh start. One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: how long does it take to sell a home? The truth is, your selling timeline depends heavily on the method you choose.
Working with a realtor often means navigating listings, showings, and buyer financing, which can take weeks — sometimes months — to complete. On the other hand, selling directly to a cash buyer skips most of those steps, offering a much faster and more predictable process.
In this guide, we’ll break down the average time to sell a house with a realtor versus a cash buyer, what factors influence each timeline, and how to choose the option that best fits your situation. Whether you’re aiming for maximum profit or need to sell your house fast, understanding the process will help you plan with confidence.
Average Time to Sell a House — What You Need to Know
The average time to sell a house in the U.S. typically ranges between 48 and 75 days when using a traditional realtor. That timeline includes everything from preparing the property for listing to finding a buyer and completing the mortgage closing process. In hot markets, homes may sell faster, but in slower areas or during off-peak seasons, it can take even longer.
By contrast, cash buyers can close in as little as 7 to 14 days, since they eliminate many of the time-consuming steps that come with a conventional sale. There’s no need to wait for loan approvals, home appraisals, or repair negotiations — the process is direct, simple, and fast.
Regional trends also play a major role. For example, in the Seattle metro area, the average time to sell a house is often longer than the national average due to high demand, competitive pricing, and seasonal fluctuations. Meanwhile, smaller markets or suburban areas might see quicker turnaround times for well-priced homes.
If your priority is speed and simplicity, selling your house as-is for cash can dramatically shorten your timeline — helping you move forward without the stress of traditional listings or lengthy closings.
Related reading: When to sell your house fast
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Home with a Realtor?
The Timeline
When selling your home with a realtor, the process takes time — usually around 60 to 75 days from start to finish. On average, it takes 18 to 30 days just to receive an offer after listing, depending on local demand, seasonality, and pricing strategy. Once you accept an offer, the closing process adds another 30 to 45 days, as the buyer secures financing, schedules inspections, and finalizes paperwork.
While that might sound manageable, these averages can stretch even longer if the market slows or if repair negotiations arise during the inspection stage.
The Process
A traditional home sale with a realtor typically involves multiple steps designed to attract the highest offer — but those steps also take time and money:
- Prepping your home: You’ll likely need to make repairs, declutter, and possibly stage your property for showings.
- Marketing the listing: Professional photography, MLS listings, and open houses help generate buyer interest.
- Buyer financing: Once an offer is accepted, the buyer’s mortgage approval, appraisal, and inspection can delay closing.
This process can be rewarding if you have flexibility — but it’s rarely ideal for homeowners who need to sell fast.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Potential for a higher sale price thanks to market exposure.
- Professional guidance from an experienced agent.
- Better access to negotiation and marketing tools.
Cons:
- Time-consuming — often taking two months or more.
- Repair and preparation costs can reduce profit.
- Realtor commissions (typically 5–6%) cut into your final proceeds.
Financing delays can cause deals to fall through, forcing sellers to restart the process.
If time is your priority or you want to avoid the stress of traditional listings, consider comparing your options.
Learn more in our guide: Selling to a Cash Buyer vs. Listing with an Agent
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Home to a Cash Buyer?
The Timeline
When selling to a cash buyer, the process moves much faster than a traditional real estate transaction. On average, most cash sales close within 7 to 14 days — sometimes even sooner. Since cash buyers don’t rely on mortgage approvals, appraisals, or lengthy underwriting, the timeline is streamlined and predictable. Once you accept the offer, closing can happen in a matter of days instead of months.
The Process
Selling to a cash home buyer eliminates many of the steps that slow down traditional sales. Here’s how it typically works:
- Quick property assessment: The buyer evaluates your home as-is — no need for repairs or staging.
- Immediate offer: You’ll receive a straightforward cash offer shortly after the walkthrough.
- Short escrow and fast closing: Once you accept, the closing process begins immediately, and payment is made in full upon completion.
This simplicity is what makes cash sales so appealing for homeowners who need to sell quickly due to relocation, financial stress, or unexpected life events.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Speed: Close in as little as a week.
- Simplicity: No lenders, appraisals, or waiting periods
- Convenience: Skip repairs, cleaning, and showings.
- Cost savings: No agent commissions or hidden fees.
Cons:
- Lower sale price: Cash offers are typically below full market value to offset the buyer’s investment risk.
If you value speed, certainty, and a stress-free process, selling to a local cash home buyer can be your best move — especially when working with a reputable company that knows your market.
Learn more in our guide: Why Local Cash Home Buyers Are the Smart Choice.
| Factor | Realtor Sale | Cash Buyer Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 48-75 days | 7-14 days |
| Repairs Needed | Yes | No |
| Commisions | 5%-6% | None |
| Certainty | May fall through | Guaranteed |
| Profit Potential | Higher | Slightly lower |
What Factors Affect How Long It Takes to Sell a Home?
The time it takes to sell a home isn’t the same for every property — several key factors influence how fast your sale moves from listing to closing. Whether you’re working with a realtor or selling to a cash buyer, understanding these elements can help you set realistic expectations and make smarter decisions.
Market Conditions
The biggest factor is often market demand. In a seller’s market, homes move quickly as buyers compete for limited inventory. In a buyer’s market, listings sit longer because there are more homes than interested buyers. Seasonality also plays a role — spring and early summer are typically the fastest seasons for sales, while winter tends to be slower.
Property Condition and Location
A well-maintained home in a desirable neighborhood will generally attract buyers faster than one needing extensive repairs or located in a less convenient area. That’s why homeowners with damaged or outdated properties often choose cash home buyers, who purchase houses as-is without requiring costly upgrades.
Related reading: Cost of Fixing a House in Disrepair
Pricing Strategy
Pricing your home correctly from the start can make or break your timeline. An overpriced property may linger on the market, while a competitively priced listing draws immediate attention. Even in hot markets, strategic pricing aligned with comparable homes helps you sell faster and avoid price drops later.
Type of Buyer
Finally, your buyer type can dramatically affect timing. Traditional buyers relying on mortgages face approval and appraisal delays, while investors or cash buyers can close in a matter of days. If your goal is speed and certainty, a direct cash sale often wins out over waiting for a financed offer.
When a Cash Offer Makes Sense
There are times when selling your home quickly isn’t just convenient — it’s essential. In situations where every week counts or repairs aren’t realistic, accepting a cash offer can give you the speed, certainty, and relief you need.
Facing Foreclosure or Relocation
If you’re behind on mortgage payments or relocating for a new job, a cash sale can help you move forward without the delays of traditional listings. Cash buyers can close in days, helping you avoid foreclosure or the stress of juggling two properties at once.
Dealing with an Inherited or Distressed Home
Inherited homes or properties in poor condition often require major repairs before hitting the market. With a cash buyer, you can sell as-is — no cleanup, updates, or costly renovations required. It’s a practical solution for estates or homeowners managing difficult situations.
Need to Access Equity Quickly
Sometimes you simply need funds fast — whether it’s to settle debts, invest elsewhere, or handle unexpected expenses. Selling to a cash buyer allows you to unlock your home’s equity immediately, without waiting months for a traditional sale to close.
Don’t Want to Deal with Listing, Repairs, or Staging
For homeowners who value convenience over top-dollar offers, a cash sale removes all the headaches: no open houses, no staging, and no agent commissions. It’s a straightforward way to sell and move on with peace of mind.
Learn more about how easy it can be to sell your home directly with us: Selling Your House to Orca Homes
Realtor vs. Cash Buyer — Which Is Right for You?
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Learn more about this option in our article: Is Selling Your House for Cash a Good Idea?.
Conclusion
The average time to sell a house depends on your priorities — whether you value speed, profit, or convenience most. A traditional realtor sale might bring in a higher price but typically takes 48–75 days, while selling to a cash home buyer can shorten that process to just one or two weeks.
If time is your top priority, working with a trusted local cash home buyer like Orca Homes can help you sell fast — often in just a week. Skip the repairs, showings, and waiting.
FAQs About How Long It Takes to Sell a Home
What is the average time to sell a house?
Most homes take 48–75 days to sell through a realtor, while cash buyers can close in 7–14 days depending on the situation.
Why does selling with a realtor take so long?
The process includes repairs, staging, finding a buyer, financing approval, inspections, and all the closing paperwork — each step adds time.
How fast can I sell my house for cash?
With Orca Homes, you can often close within a week — no commissions, no repairs, and no delays from lenders.
What affects how long it takes to sell a house?
Several factors, including pricing strategy, property condition, local demand, and your chosen selling method, determine how fast you close.
Is selling to a cash buyer always better?
It depends on your goals. If you need speed, certainty, and simplicity, selling to a cash buyer makes sense. But if maximizing profit is your top priority, listing with a realtor may be the better route.
