Why Does it Take So Long to Sell a House?

Ever glanced across the street, noticing that “For Sale” sign on your neighbor’s lawn, and thought, “Hasn’t that been up for ages?” 

In today’s world, where we can order an item online and expect it delivered the same or next day, buying or selling a house remains a rather lengthy procedure. You’re not alone in wondering about this seeming disparity, but since we buy houses, we know everything about how you can sell your home quickly and simply. 

Contrary to the swiftness we’re accustomed to in various facets of our lives, real estate transactions are intricate, long, strenuous and confusing… 

In fact, based on a survey performed by IPSOS, people find selling their home more stressful than buying a new home, planning their wedding, getting fired from a job, becoming a parent, teaching a teenager to drive, and potty training their kid. 

So, the goal here? 

To shed light on these complexities, uncover why it’s so darn hard to sell a house and help you dive a little deeper into a process that makes selling your house worlds easier.

Historical Context: How It Used to Be 

To grasp the current culture of selling a home, it’s essential to take a quick glance at the past. 

Because once upon a time, the process of acquiring or selling property was relatively straightforward. There was a seller, a buyer, a piece of land or property, and often a handshake deal. 

Pretty simple, right? 

But as things evolved, so did property rights, laws, and financial structures. It wasn’t until the 1908s that real estate agents even became a thing, and even then, they were still getting the ability to call themselves real estate agents exclusively without others being able to use the term, too. 

To make a long story short, what was once a simple transaction has now grown in complexity, with the interplay of multiple factors, stakeholders, and steps intervening in the process. 

Sure, a home sale is a big deal— but does it really warrant this much headache? 

The Many Layers of Real Estate Transactions 

One of the bigger factors in selling your home is navigating all of the different layers of the transaction. It’s just a simple “you-give-me-this-and-I’ll-give-you-that” situation. 

Instead, it’s an art, but not a graceful one. More, a sloppy, unpredictable mess of interactions, where one thing could make the entire transaction explode.
 

Pre-listing Preparations 

Before even listing a house on the market, there’s a bevy of tasks owners must undertake. 

For starters, home inspections are crucial. 

These ensure the house is in tip-top shape or, at the very least, that the seller is aware of any issues. Following inspections, there may be appraisals to determine the property’s value. 

Any necessary repairs? Those have to be made, and they can range from minor cosmetic fixes to significant structural changes. And once the house is ready, there’s the staging – the art of making a home look inviting and appealing to potential buyers. 

Marketing and Showing 

Gone are the days when a mere yard sign would do. 

Nowadays, we need to have property listings online too, with numerous platforms showcasing homes to potential buyers including social media channels. 

And although we buy houses in any condition, not many other people will, so you’ll need your fair share of online ads, virtual tours, and social media campaigns ready, or should be ready to invest in a hefty percentage of your profit to go towards a real estate agent who will do it for you. 

Plus, once interest is piqued, there’s still the matter of coordinating visits. Open houses, private viewings— they all require meticulous planning, and the real question is revealed: is it all really worth it?! 

Legalities and Paperwork 

Now comes the real “fun:” paperwork (not!). 

Whether you like it or not, with any property transaction, there’s a mountain of it. Contracts need to be drafted and reviewed, disclosures need to be made, and legal obligations met. 

The involvement of professionals like real estate agents and attorneys ensures everything is above board and legally sound, but it also adds to the time and the cost of the interaction at large. 

Related: 10 Legal Steps BEFORE Selling Your House: Buy My House 

Mortgage Approval Process for Buyers 

For many buyers, purchasing a house outright is out of reach, which is where mortgages come into play. 

And a mortgage application? That means credit checks, further property evaluations, and loan approvals. It’s a rigorous process where the buyer’s financial health and the property’s worth butt heads, and sometimes, yields a lost sale after the smoke clears. 

External Factors

Market Conditions 

Ever heard of a buyer’s market versus a seller’s market? The terms can sound jargon-y, but it’s a real thing, and it plays a massive role in the duration of selling or buying a home. 

In a nutshell, a buyer’s market is when there are more homes available than there are people buying, and typically benefits the buyer since they have more options to choose from. 

Conversely, a seller’s market is when there are more buyers than available homes. Sellers can usually get their asking price or even more in such conditions… not to mention the seasonal fluctuations that are always present in the real estate market, making it hard for you to create your own timeline for selling your home. 

Spring often brings an uptick in listings, whereas winter might see a slowdown in certain regions. And if you need to sell your house fast, but the market isn’t in your favor, you could be waiting months, or even years to get your home off your plate. 

Location and Property Type 

Location, location, location: that’s the (sometimes overused, but) very real mantra in real estate. 

An urban dwelling might fly off the shelves due to high demand, while a similar home in a rural area might linger a bit longer. Plus, even the type of property can also influence how long it’s on the market. 

Condos in city centers might sell faster due to the urban-working demographic, while larger detached homes in suburban areas might cater to families and have a different sales trajectory. 

Either way, you’re betting on the location of your home compared to what you actually need in your sale– an oftentimes unfair reality of trying to get that home off your chest.

Negotiation Periods 

Ah, the dance of offers and counter-offers. (But is it really a dance? Or more of a messy wrestling match?) 

Yes, it can be a rapid two-step… or it can be a drawn-out waltz, which oftentimes, it is. 

Some deals are sealed quickly, while others involve back-and-forth negotiations that extend the process. When you’re selling your home the traditional route, you can never really have control over the timeline (unless you’re truly listening when we say “We buy houses!”).

Unexpected Hurdles 

Even with the smoothest of transactions, unforeseen challenges can arise. 

A broken chain, where someone in the buying sequence pulls out, can cause cascading delays. 

And then there’s the emotional aspect: a withdrawn offer due to cold feet or an unexpected life event can reset the entire process. 

When nothing’s in your control, anything can happen— which is only taken control of when we buy houses.

Emotional Decisions and Delays 

When you think of a house, do you see it just as bricks and mortar or as a repository of memories? 

For many, a home isn’t just an asset; it’s an emotional space. 

This sentimentality can sometimes cause sellers to hesitate, especially if they’re leaving a cherished family home. Buyers too, feeling the weight of the decision, might become indecisive, wondering if they’re making the right choice. 

After all, buying a home isn’t like picking out a new outfit; it’s a significant life commitment, and as much as you might be ready to let your home go, your seller might not. 

Related: Are You Relocating? Sell Your House Quickly 

Streamline the Process with House Buyers of America 

So you’ve read through this all, and you know that selling your home the traditional route is no bueno. 

So, what’s next? 

If you’re looking to sell your home fast, whether it’s because of probate, a family passing, a divorce, a quick relocation, or simply because you don’t want to deal with the annoying back and forth of working with a realtor and a buyer and being tied down to a closing date, then we’ve got you! 

We’re House Buyers of America, and we buy houses so you can sell your home quickly and simply… on your timeline. 

Still not sure how we do it? Let’s quickly break it down: 

Step 1: Fill out our online form or give us a call at 855-659-3289. We’re around 24/7 (yes, even holidays), which means any day of the year, you can get a free quote for your home even in your PJs. 

Step 2: We’ll schedule your home visit so one of our real estate professionals can scope out the place. (Don’t worry, this isn’t an open house– you don’t need to clean, stage, or do anything. Consider us your closest friends.) 

Step 3: Pick your closing date and get your cash in a matter of days. That’s right– whatever your timeline is, you can close on your house in 7 days or 7 months. 

We buy houses– and we mean all houses, including detached houses, or townhomes, so you can sell your house fast and let real estate be one less thing to worry about in your life. 

So don’t be like the others, letting home selling be out of your hands and take up months of your life. Work with House Buyers of America and get cash for your house and a quick sale all in one!