What Is the Quickest Time You Can Sell a House?

What Is the Quickest Time You Can Sell a House?

When you need to sell a home fast, the natural question most sellers ask is: “What is the quickest time a house can actually be sold?”
The answer depends heavily on how you choose to sell it, the condition of the property, and whether or not a buyer needs financing.

Fastest Possible Timeline: 7–14 Days (Cash Sale)

If you sell your house directly to a cash home buyer, a closing can usually happen in as little as 7–14 days.

Why so fast?

• No mortgage approvals

• No lender underwriting

• No appraisals required

• No waiting for repair requests

• No realtor listing timelines or open houses

Cash buyers purchase homes exactly as-is, and because there’s no bank involved, there is nothing delaying the transaction. This is the fastest, most direct way to sell a house.

Traditional Listing Timeline: 30–90+ Days

If you list your home on the open market with a realtor, expect the process to take much longer:

Time breakdown:

Step Estimated Timeline Getting the home ready 1–4 weeks Listing + marketing period 2–8 weeks (or more) Buyer financing + closing 30–45 days

And this assumes everything goes perfectly. Many traditional deals fall apart due to appraisals, inspections, or lender issues — causing delays or forcing you to start over.

FSBO Timeline (For Sale by Owner): 30–120+ Days

FSBO sellers often take even longer than agents because they lack the reach, marketing, and buyer pipelines.

You may save on commission, but you pay with time — which can end up costing far more if you’re dealing with ongoing holding costs, repairs, and mortgage payments.

Why Cash Sales Offer the Fastest Path

Cash buyers remove the two biggest slow factors:

• Banks

• Repairs

They buy homes in any condition, can close on your timeline, and don’t require you to spend weeks prepping your property for market.

For homeowners who need speed due to relocation, probate, foreclosure risk, divorce, inheritance, job change, or just wanting a stress-free exit — cash is the fastest route every time.

Final Takeaway

The quickest time you can sell a house is usually 7–14 days, and that’s achieved through a direct cash sale with no lenders, no repairs, and no listing delays.

If speed matters most, getting a no-obligation cash offer is the fastest way to get certainty, skip the waiting, and move forward with your plans on your terms.