Here’s how to determine how long it will take to sell your home.

When people sell their home or investment property, they want to know the answer to two basic questions: How much is my property worth, and how long is it going to take to sell? Right now in San Diego County, the average home is selling in about 18 days. So the second question is answered, right? Not quite. Today I’ll go over three things to consider when figuring out how long it will take to sell your home: 

1. The escrow period. In a typical market, escrow is a 30-day period where the buyer will get an inspection and an appraisal. They may even try to secure their financing during this period. However, we are not living in a standard market. Right now, we are seeing the escrow period typically last seven to 21 days. It’s important to choose a good buyer because if they are too reliant on outside lenders or inspectors, the escrow period could take a long time. 

2. Getting your home inspected and staged. Before you actually list, there is the period where you prepare your home for the market. An example would be hiring professional cleaners or yard workers to make your property look great. You might also hire an inspector to give you recommendations. If they have suggestions, you’ll have to keep in mind that fixing your house could take some time. 

“To sell fast, I highly recommend hiring a local agent.”

3. The time it takes for your Realtor to make a plan. Contrary to popular belief, Realtors don’t just put your home in an online database and wait for it to sell. If you have a good agent, they probably have an extensive marketing plan to get your home in front of the most people possible. For example, my team creates a personalized marketing suite for our clients, and it can take anywhere from one to two weeks to put together. 

With all of these factors in mind, what initially seemed like an 18-day process could now take three to four months. To help navigate this tricky process, I highly recommend hiring a local agent. They’ve sold homes in your area before, and they probably have contacts with trusted third parties. You should plan ahead, but hiring a local agent can help smooth the process out. 

If you have any questions about today’s topic or anything else, do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am always willing to help!