As realtors one of the questions that we hear most often is: “how long does it take to sell a home?” The truth is that there is no good answer to this question, every home is different and so is every home sale. All we can tell you is the average length of time it takes to sell a home and the average may not apply to your particular case.
Nationwide it now takes around 10 months to sell the average home according to the Accredited Seller Agent Council. This figure is an average based on all the home sales in the country and does not apply to the Tri-Valley market. Something to keep in mind is that this average is based upon every real estate market in the country including those where property is selling well and places where homes are not moving at all.
Instead of relying on this figure you should ask us about local real estate market conditions which are constantly changing. The market is the most important factor in determining the price of a home but it may not affect the speed at which a particular property sells. There are many other factors that affect sales some of which you do have control over.
Factors that Affect the Speed of a Home Sale
The three biggest factors affecting the speed of a home sale: are the price, the condition of the home and the location. It is possible to sell any home very quickly if you make the price low enough. The price should be realistic and based upon what comparable properties in the market are selling for. We can tell you what a realistic price is. Something to remember is that many homes don’t move because sellers ask too much for them.
The second biggest factor affecting the length of the sale is the condition of the home. Houses in really good condition that don’t require much work will usually sell faster. This is why it is a good idea to fix up your home before you sell it. If you sell a house “as is”, you will probably have to offer a lower price for a fast sale. We can tell you what repairs and remodeling work you can do to get the best price for your home.
The third biggest factor is location, houses in certain areas and locations will sell much faster than others. Property located near BART stations or high-quality schools might sell faster than property that is far out in the countryside. When you buy property you should consider location particularly if you plan to resell it in the near future. We can tell you what locations are more desirable.
There are some other factors that affect the speed of the sale as well. A flexible seller who is willing to change her terms and work with buyers will often move a house faster than a person who is not. People who are willing to carry mortgages might be able to move homes faster. We can tell you what steps you can take to speed up the sale.
Individuals who are willing to work with an experienced Realtor are also more likely to sell a home faster. We can put you in touch with serious buyers and help you negotiate with them. If you need to sell quickly we can work with you and help you find a buyer.
The region also influences the speed of the sale as well. Houses in popular regions like the Bay Area will sell faster than homes in softer areas like Los Angeles. A person wanting to sell homes in the Tri-Valley region should have no problem finding a serious buyer.