by Chad Jordan 
Buying a home typically takes between 10 to 12 weeks, from the initial search online to the final step of closing escrow. Once you’ve selected your home and had your offer accepted, the escrow period usually lasts between 30 to 45 days under normal market conditions. However, cash buyers who are well-prepared will often complete the process more quickly.
Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Buy a Home
Market conditions play a significant role in how fast homes are bought and sold. In hot real estate markets, where sales activity is high, the home buying process can take longer than usual. This happens because when demand spikes, several parties involved in the transaction may fall behind in their tasks.
For instance, increased demand for property appraisals and home inspections can lead to longer wait times since the number of available appraisers and inspectors doesn’t increase. Likewise, lender turn-around times for loan underwriting can also slow down. Even small delays from each party—such as the agent, lender, or inspector—can add up, extending the overall timeline.
If you’re planning to purchase a home in a competitive market, it’s important to be prepared for potential delays. Learn more about factors affecting your home buying timeline from resources like National Association of Realtors and Zillow’s Home Buying Guide.
Understanding the potential challenges ahead can help you navigate the home buying process with greater ease and set realistic expectations for how long it might take.
* Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
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