There are numerous aspects of selling a home, but on average, how long does it take to sell a house?
Reports by the Census Bureau show that, on average, an American moves about 11.7 times in their lifetime. This is the reason why the house sales market never runs dry. There are always people looking to sell their homes, while others are looking for houses to buy.
The possible reasons for selling your home are limitless. It could be that you want to move to a bigger, luxurious home or you got a job in a different city, so you are forced to move.
You could also be in need of fast cash, you recently got married and plan to move in with your spouse, or the neighborhood has changed and doesn’t feel safe for you anymore.
Whichever the reason for selling your house, your primary concern is the time it will take to get your home off the market. Check this guide on how to sell a home fast.
Timing Is Important
The first aspect that dictates how long your house stays in the market is timing. If you want your house to sell fast, you should list it during a seller’s market.
While real estate is an all-year-round market, there are times when the demand for houses is higher than others.
Most potential home buyers start house hunting during the hot season or in spring. The temperatures are favorable to move, and if your house is in the best condition, you are likely to have buyers fighting for it within no time.
Winter, on the other hand, is not an ideal time to list your home for sale. The demand is low, and so are the prices.
Most parents are also on a house hunt towards the end of the academic year. This is because no parent wants to move their kids and distract them in the middle of a term or school year.
Take your time to conduct in-depth research to help you establish the best time to sell your home in your local area. The goal is to sell it fast and at the best price, which is only achievable if you go through the market news and trends.
Work on Improving the Condition of Your Home
Timing will not do much if your house is not in its best shape. There are hundreds of homes listed for sale together with yours. Therefore, it would be best to work on it to make it the buyers’ best choice.
No one wants to move into a house that is overdue for repairs. They want to move into a well-kept and ready-to-live home. If not, you will be forced to reduce its worth.
Invest in repairing or renovating the house. Give it a facelift with a new painting later. Fix the broken faucets and add any missing tiles.
Most importantly, work on the exterior. It is the first thing people will notice once they step into your compound. If the lawn appears unkempt, they will perceive that even the inside is not appealing and may not want to get in.
The Asking Price Should Be Reasonable
As much as you want to make quick cash, maybe to settle bills or buy your dream home, you should not let that tempt you to overprice your house. A lot comes into play when establishing the value of your home.
While it is mainly dependent on what buyers are willing to pay, each one is different. This is why you should set your price after evaluating all the possible factors that affect their willingness to pay. Some of the aspects include;
- The condition of your neighborhood
- The state and age of the house
- The size of the house
- Interest rates
- Location
- Available amenities
If you want to sell your house fast, ensure that the asking price matches buyers’ preferences. For instance, a spacious home in a secure area, close to the main road, and essential amenities will be in high demand. You can therefore set a high price and leave room for negotiation.
Nonetheless, if you are not in a rush to sell the house, you can set a high price even if it does not meet these requirements but be ready to wait longer.
Work With a Reliable Agent
One of the critical home selling tips is to let an expert into the process. The right real house agent understands the ins and outs of the market. They will therefore speed up the sale process.
The expert knows the ideal season to put up your home for sale. They will advise you on how to position the house to attract buyers’ attention, not to forget that they have unmatched negotiation skills to help you sell the house at its best value.
However, the key to enjoying these benefits is to work with the best agent in the market. Some brokers are more experienced and skilled than others. So it would help if you took your time to perform background research until you find the best.
The agent should be knowledgeable about your local market. Do not entrust the sale process to a broker from a different city as they may have no clue about what to expect.
Consider the trustworthiness of the agent by checking reviews on their site. You may also ask for recommendations from family and friends to get the most reputable.
Check if the agent has been in the market long enough to acquire skills and tricks to navigate the competitive real estate market. Most importantly, consider if the broker is certified to do the job.
The agent will handle all the tedious tasks from listing to preparing the necessary documents and closing.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?
There is no precise answer to the question, ‘how long does it take to sell a house?’ The timeline to sell a house depends on a handful of aspects. The local markets, pricing, and the time you choose to list the house for sale are just a few of the determinants.
Take your time to prepare the home and research the market trends to sell your house fast.
Check out more real estate guides by scrolling through our site.
