What Takes the Longest When Selling a House? (And How to Speed It Up)
Selling a home can be exciting — but also time-consuming. While some properties sell in days, others take weeks or even months. So, what takes the longest when selling a house, and how can sellers overcome common delays?
In this post, we’ll break down the top time-consuming stages of the home selling process, share strategies to shorten them, and provide expert insight into what today’s real estate trends mean for you.
The Most Time-Consuming Parts of Selling a Home
1. Prepping Your Home for Sale
Before your home even hits the market, prepping it for showings can take 2–4 weeks depending on:
Deep cleaning
Repairs or upgrades
Staging
According to Zillow’s Consumer Housing Trends Report, 79% of sellers make at least one home improvement before listing.
Want to know if your updates will pay off? Check your home’s worth first with a free report.
2. Marketing and Listing Time
Creating a compelling listing with professional photos, videos, and descriptions may take up to a week — especially if you’re working with a full-service agent who markets across platforms.
Strong listings on platforms like Heart of Chicago Homes often generate more interest and reduce time on the market.
3. Time on Market
This is typically the longest phase. In 2024, the average home took 40–60 days to sell nationwide, according to Redfin’s housing market data.
Factors that extend time on market:
Overpricing
Poor marketing
Limited buyer access for showings
Speed things up by considering getting a cash offer, which allows you to bypass the traditional market entirely.
4. Negotiation and Offer Acceptance
Even after you receive an offer, negotiations can take several days to a week. This stage may involve:
Price adjustments
Contingency discussions
Timing of closing
Buyers often request concessions after inspections, which can cause delays if contractors or repair estimates are needed.
5. Financing and Closing Delays
Mortgage approval and closing typically takes 30–45 days, but this can stretch longer if:
The buyer's financing hits a snag
Title issues arise
Appraisals come in low
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), mortgage financing is the most common cause of delayed closings.
Avoidable Pitfalls That Slow Down a Home Sale
Overpricing the Home
If your asking price is too high, it can scare off serious buyers. Homes that linger on the market often end up with price cuts, reducing final sale price.
Inflexible Showings
Buyers need to see your home. If scheduling showings is difficult, your home won’t get the exposure it needs.
Not Being Pre-Inspected
Buyers will likely request an inspection. Getting a pre-listing inspection can help you fix small issues in advance and avoid surprises.
Pro Tips to Sell Your Home Faster
Stage your home professionally or virtually to make a strong first impression
Set the right price based on a detailed CMA (Comparative Market Analysis)
Use high-quality photos and video walkthroughs
Work with a real estate expert who understands your local market — like the team at Heart of Chicago Homes
Want to see homes that are moving fast? Browse featured listings in Chicago to see what’s selling now.
What Really Delays the Home Sale Process?
Altogether, the home selling process can take 2–3 months or longer — unless you're using alternative strategies like a direct cash offer.
Need to Sell Fast? Get a Free Home-Selling Consultation!
If you're thinking about selling, we provide a free consultation to help you explore traditional and alternative home-selling options.
Schedule your free consultation at HeartOfChicagoHomes.com or reach out at (312) 361-8288.
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