How Long Does it Take to Sell a Home?

Once you’ve made the decision to sell your home, chances are you’ll want to know how long the process will take. Will it take a couple of days, weeks, months? The short answer is that it depends. Understanding the sales process will give you an idea of the timeline you are looking at, and what you can do to help shorten the wait.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Questions benefit not only the seller, but the buyer. Just listing a property and expecting it to sell in a vacuum just doesn’t work. Working with your REALTOR® also means asking lots of questions. One important query is how long it takes, on average, for a home to sell in your neighbourhood. Your REALTOR® can find you that information, which will give you a basic idea of your sales timeline.

Factors That Contribute to the Sales Timeline

Sometimes the time it takes to sell a home is driven largely by the real estate market. There are three factors that you, as the seller, have some control over. One is the asking price of your home. Is it in line with similar properties in the neighbourhood or over the top?  Adjusting that may decrease your timeline. The second are your terms of sale. Reasonable terms will help a home sell faster. The third is the condition of your property. Does it have good street appeal? Does it make a prospective buyer want to come inside and see more? Once inside will that prospective buyer find more fresh paint and perhaps an upgraded kitchen or bathroom? Curb appeal gets them in the door; the interior polish keeps the interest.

The Wonders of Creative Thinking

A bit of creative thinking may also peak the interest of potential buyers. Consider seller financing if you have the means to do so. This would be at a lower interest rate than regular financing and may help to close a sale. The financing would be on a portion of the price that you feel comfortable taking on.  

Spend some money for new paint in and out, or for a professional gardener to give your yard the once over. Do you have a nice fireplace with a lovely surround, or maybe a designer kitchen with stainless steel appliances? Polish up and showcase these amenities. An appealing home makes it easier for the potential buyer to imagine himself in new surroundings, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to achieve that result.