How Long Does It Take To Sell A Home In Today’s Market?

By Author: Diamond Equity Investments
Total Articles: 9
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I need to sell my house fast in Atlanta. How long will it take?" This is the question someone asked me the other day. I gave them a detailed explanation, much of which I’m sharing here.

If you’re planning to put your house on the market this year, you need to anticipate a process that’s longer than those of previous years.

You see, higher mortgage rates have led to a major decline in housing market activity, which means sellers are having a harder time finding qualified buyers.

And even though rates came down somewhat in 2024, demand for housing hasn’t shot up, mainly because home affordability continues to be a major obstacle.

Homes Are Selling At The Slowest Pace In Five Years

Recent market data shows that listed homes have been sitting on the market longer than at any point in the past five years. And while the number of homes available has increased, buyer interest has not.

According to Realtor.com, the total number of homes on the market rose by 11% year over year in January 2025.

However, homes ...
... have spent an average of 73 days on the market—the slowest pace since 2020.

Another analysis found that most homes are taking about 54 days to get under contract—numbers we haven’t seen since March 2020, when Covid uncertainty was at its peak.

But even though the market is moving slower than it has in the past few years, homes are still selling 11 days faster than before the pandemic (2017-2019).

That said, the ultra-competitive housing market of 2022, where homes sold in just 35 days, is now a distant memory.

What’s Keeping The Housing Market Stagnant?

Several factors are contributing to the slowdown:

- Higher Mortgage Rates – The 30-year mortgage rate remains close to 7%, making homeownership less affordable for many buyers.

- Affordability Challenges – A buyer purchasing a median-priced home at $377,000, with a 7% mortgage rate, would face an estimated monthly payment of $2,800—a steep increase from just a few years ago.

- The Lock-In Effect – Many homeowners who secured ultra-low mortgage rates during the pandemic (some as low as 3.51% in 2020) are reluctant to sell, as buying a new home would mean taking on a significantly higher mortgage rate.

Will The Housing Market Improve In 2025?

A decrease in mortgage rates would go a long way in resolving the current housing market slowdown.

According to experts, so long as the Federal Reserve continues cutting the Federal Funds Rate, interest rates should fall throughout this year. In fact, the 30-year mortgage rate may decrease to 6.5% by year’s end.

Of course, it’ll take more than rate decreases to get the market back where it was. Remember, the lock-in effect is preventing houses from reaching the market, so inventory has shrunk to 25% below pre-pandemic levels.

In short, most homeowners will postpone selling until mortgage rates decrease substantially from their current levels.

Want To Sell Your Home Quickly?

If you’re looking for a fast and hassle-free way to sell your home, consider selling directly to a cash buyer. They purchase homes as is, meaning you won’t need to make repairs or stage before closing the deal.

Moreover, there’s less uncertainty when you choose cash home buyers in Atlanta. A company like Diamond Equity Investments purchases homes outright, meaning they don’t rely on mortgages.

Worried about the deal falling through at the last minute? You won’t have to if you choose this company. They cater to homeowners who want to sell quickly and avoid all the stress that’s associated with the traditional selling process.

In closing, if time is of the essence, consider a cash home buyer, as they can make a sale happen in as little as two weeks—maybe even sooner!

Author Bio

The author is one of the most reputed cash home buyers in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Chicago. They operate one of the largest direct home-buying firms in the U.S., and their mission is to help homeowners who want to sell their properties quickly and without any hassles. They purchase all kinds of residential properties. To learn more visits https://diamondequity.com/.