How Long It Takes to Sell a House: The Complete Guide

Understanding the Real Timeline When Selling Your Home

How long does it take to sell a house? In the United States, the average is 95 days total—about 60 days on the market plus 35 days to close. However, this timeline varies dramatically based on your location and selling method. In San Antonio, TX, where the market has been cooling, traditional sales can take even longer as buyers hesitate due to rising interest rates.

Quick Answer: Timeline Breakdown

• Traditional Sale (with agent): 65-95 days average (22-60 days on market + 30-45 days to close)
• Cash Sale: 7-14 days total (offer within 24-48 hours + 7-10 day closing)
• San Antonio Market: Currently trending longer than the national average due to cooling conditions

For homeowners facing financial difficulties or needing to move quickly, waiting three months for a traditional sale isn’t just inconvenient—it’s costly. Each month your house sits unsold means another mortgage payment, property tax bill, and utility cost draining your equity.

I’m Daniel Cabrera, founder of Sell My House Fast SA TX. With over 16 years in the San Antonio real estate market, I’ve helped hundreds of homeowners avoid the lengthy traditional timeline. We offer same-day cash offers that close in as little as one week, providing a faster, simpler alternative for those who can’t afford to wait.

The Average Selling Timeline: National vs. San Antonio, TX

When homeowners ask me how long does it take to sell a house, I explain that the answer depends on your location, market conditions, and how you choose to sell.

Nationally, the total selling time averages around 95 days from listing to closing. This typically breaks down into about 60 days on the market to find a buyer, plus another 35 days for the closing process. Data on the Median Days on Market in the U.S. shows this number fluctuates, but it consistently highlights a lengthy process for sellers.

But here’s what really matters for San Antonio homeowners: our local market tells a different story.

San Antonio has shifted from a “white-hot” seller’s market to a noticeably cooler environment. This trend means homes are sitting on the market longer than they did just a year or two ago. The Average Time to Sell a House in San Antonio has been extending as buyers become more cautious due to rising interest rates and increased inventory.

I’ve seen this in my 16+ years in San Antonio real estate. Homes that once received multiple offers in days now sit for weeks or months. This extended timeline is frustrating for sellers who need to move on, whether for a job relocation, financial pressures, or divorce.

The type of property also influences your timeline. Houses typically sell at different speeds than condos, and urban properties move differently than rural ones. Homes in desirable neighborhoods sell faster, while those in remote areas or needing significant updates face longer market times.

This is why I founded Sell My House Fast SA TX. When market conditions make traditional sales uncertain, homeowners need an alternative that provides speed and certainty. Our same-day cash offers and closings in as little as one week eliminate the anxiety of wondering how long does it take to sell a house when you can’t afford to wait.

Why Do Traditional Home Sales Take So Long?

If you’ve tried to sell a house the traditional way, you know the frustration. What seems like a quick process can stretch into months, with bills piling up while your property sits on the market.

Several factors can dramatically slow down a traditional home sale:

• Overpricing: This is the single biggest mistake. Homeowners who are emotionally attached to an unrealistic asking price will see their house sit for months. Buyers are savvy and will ignore a property that is priced higher than comparable homes. Each price reduction signals desperation and makes buyers wonder what’s wrong with the house.
• Poor Condition and Presentation: A home that needs repairs—like a leaky roof, outdated kitchen, or foundation issues—will deter most traditional buyers. Those who are interested will demand significant price cuts. Beyond major repairs, simple presentation matters. A cluttered home feels unwelcoming, while poor curb appeal can stop buyers from even coming inside. In today’s digital market, professional photography is non-negotiable; blurry or dark photos will cause buyers to scroll right past your listing. This is why Selling the House As Is becomes a good alternative, as you don’t have to worry about repairs or presentation.
• Market and Economic Factors: In a hot seller’s market, homes sell fast. But when the market cools, as we’re seeing in San Antonio, everything slows down. Increased inventory gives buyers more choices and less urgency. Economic factors like rising mortgage rates create a standoff; buyers are hesitant to take on higher borrowing costs, and sellers with low rates are reluctant to move. You can track these trends via Housing supply data from the National Association of Realtors.
• Seasonal Slowdowns: The real estate market has seasons. Spring and summer are peak buying times. Listing a home in late fall or winter often means fighting an uphill battle against holiday distractions and fewer active buyers.
• Limited Showing Availability: If you make it difficult for buyers to see your home, you’re shrinking your pool of potential offers. Flexibility is key to getting a home sold quickly through traditional means.

At Sell My House Fast SA TX, we eliminate every one of these obstacles. We make a fair cash offer on your home in its current condition, regardless of market conditions, seasonality, or presentation. You can close in as little as one week without the stress and delays of a traditional sale.

The Traditional Timeline: A Step-by-Step Breakdown from Listing to Closing

Selling a house the traditional way is a long journey with many potential delays. Here’s a realistic look at the steps involved and how long they can take.

1. Home Preparation (1-4+ weeks): This includes decluttering, deep cleaning, and making repairs. Minor fixes may take a few days, but major projects like a kitchen remodel can take months, delaying your listing.
2. Finding an Agent and Listing (1-2 weeks): You’ll need to interview agents, negotiate commissions (typically 5-6%), and wait for them to arrange photography and list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
3. Showings and Open Houses (2-8+ weeks): Your home must be kept spotless for showings, which can range from 10 to 25 visits before an offer is made. In a cooling market like San Antonio’s, this phase can last for months.
4. Negotiating Offers (2-5 days): Once an offer arrives, you and your agent will negotiate the price and terms with the buyer.
5. Inspection and Re-negotiation (1-2 weeks): The buyer will hire an inspector. If issues are found—and they almost always are—you’ll enter another round of negotiations over repairs or credits.
6. Appraisal (1-2 weeks): The buyer’s lender orders an appraisal to ensure the home’s value supports the loan. If the appraisal comes in low, the deal could fall apart unless you lower the price or the buyer adds more cash.
7. Buyer Financing and Closing (30-45 days): This is often the longest wait. The buyer’s loan goes through underwriting, and any change in their financial situation can derail the approval. The average time to close a purchase loan is 41 days. During this time, a title search (up to 14 days) is also conducted.

From the day you list to the day you get your money, you’re looking at an average of 65-95 days. In San Antonio’s current market, this can easily stretch beyond three months of uncertainty and ongoing expenses.

At Sell My House Fast SA TX, we eliminate these steps. No prep, showings, inspections, appraisals, or financing contingencies. Just a straightforward cash offer and a closing in as little as one week.

The Fastest Way to Sell Your House: The Cash Offer Solution

For many San Antonio homeowners, the traditional 3-6 month selling timeline is unworkable. Whether you’re relocating, facing foreclosure, or own a property needing costly repairs, waiting is not an option. This is why we created Sell My House Fast SA TX—to offer a better way.

When you sell your house for cash to us, you bypass every delay of a traditional sale. No waiting for buyer financing, no worrying about low appraisals, and no renegotiating after inspections.

We buy houses exactly as-is. You can skip the weeks or months of home preparation. That leaky roof or outdated kitchen? We handle all repairs after closing, saving you time and money. This is a game-changer for homeowners with properties needing significant work.

You also pay zero realtor commissions or closing costs. A typical 5-6% commission on a median-priced San Antonio home can cost you over $12,000. With us, that money stays in your pocket.

Perhaps most importantly, a cash offer provides absolute certainty. Our offer is firm. There’s no mortgage contingency that could fall through. This certainty is invaluable in San Antonio’s cooling market, where traditional deals are becoming less reliable.

Our process is simple: contact us, and we’ll provide a fair, no-obligation cash offer within 24-48 hours. If you accept, we can close in as little as one week, or on a date that works for you. We are a direct buyer, not a wholesaler, meaning we are the ones actually purchasing your home. With 16+ years of experience in the San Antonio market, we use approved Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) paperwork for a transparent transaction.

If you’re wondering how long does it take to sell a house, the difference is dramatic. A traditional sale can take 95 days or more. A cash sale with us can be done in 7-14 days. To understand our fair offer process, read our guide on How Much Do Cash Home Buyers Pay in San Antonio? A Practical Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a House

As a San Antonio homeowner, you likely have questions about the selling process. With my 16+ years of local experience, I’ve answered them all. Here are the most common concerns.

How long does the closing process typically take after an offer is accepted?

It depends entirely on the buyer. With a buyer using a mortgage, closing averages 41 days. This time is needed for the lender’s appraisal, underwriting, and title search. Any hiccup can cause delays or kill the deal. With a cash sale to Sell My House Fast SA TX, we can close in as little as 7 days. We use our own funds, so we skip the entire lender approval process, offering you speed and certainty.

What are the main reasons a house sits on the market for too long?

In my experience, a few key issues are almost always to blame:

• Overpricing: Listing too high is the fastest way to deter buyers.
• Poor Condition: Most buyers want move-in ready homes and will avoid properties needing significant repairs.
• Bad Marketing: In an online world, poor-quality photos and weak descriptions make your home invisible.
• Inflexible Showings: Limiting when buyers can see the home drastically reduces your chances of getting an offer.

In San Antonio’s current cooling market, these problems are magnified, leading to even longer and more frustrating selling timelines.

How can I speed up the process of selling my home?

If you need to sell quickly, you have a few options. In a traditional sale, you can try to speed things up by pricing your home aggressively from day one, making minor cosmetic updates, and being extremely flexible with showings. However, even with these efforts, you are still subject to the buyer’s financing and inspection contingencies, which can take weeks or months.

The only guaranteed way to sell your home fast is to accept a cash offer. With Sell My House Fast SA TX, you bypass all the traditional delays. We give you a fair offer within 24-48 hours and can close in as little as one week. It is the fastest, most certain way to sell your house in San Antonio.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Selling Timeline

How long it takes to sell your house depends entirely on the path you choose. The traditional route can take 65-95 days or longer in San Antonio’s cooling market, a period filled with repairs, showings, and the risk of a deal falling through. This uncertainty costs you time, money, and peace of mind.

That’s why we created Sell My House Fast SA TX—to offer San Antonio homeowners a better way. With over 16 years of local market experience, we remove the uncertainty. We provide a fair cash offer within 24-48 hours and close in as little as one week. There are no repairs, no commissions, and no closing costs. Just a simple, straightforward transaction on your schedule.

We are a direct buyer, not a wholesaler, and we use approved Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) paperwork to ensure a professional process. We proudly serve homeowners throughout San Antonio, New Braunfels, Boerne, and Helotes, TX.

You don’t have to wait months to move forward. You can take control of your selling timeline today.

✅ Get Your Fair Cash Offer for Your San Antonio House Today!