The national median days on market in 2026 is 55 days — the time from when a home goes live on the MLS to when a seller accepts an offer (Redfin, March 2026). That figure is up seven days year-over-year and marks the longest median since before the pandemic. Add in the closing period and the typical seller closes about 95 days after listing.
But that national number hides enormous variation. A seller in Massachusetts can expect to accept an offer in 22 days. A seller in Hawaii may wait 80 days. List in March and you're in the fastest window of the year. List in December and you're fighting headwinds. Price under $300K and you'll likely see offers quickly; price above $750K and you should budget for a longer runway.
This article is the data-focused companion to our guide on how long it takes to sell a house, which covers the full process timeline. Here we go deeper on the numbers: state-by-state medians, seasonal patterns, market-type comparisons, and price range benchmarks — everything a seller needs to set realistic timeline expectations before listing.
Average Time to Sell a House in 2026: National Overview
The most current national figure comes from Redfin’s March 2026 data: 55 days on market (listing-to-pending-offer), up from 48 days in March 2025. FRED’s St. Louis Fed series (MEDDAYONMARUS) shows a similar trend, with the national median sitting around 52 days as of April 2026.
NAR’s methodology differs slightly — it measures listing-to-closing rather than listing-to-offer — and typically produces a lower figure. NAR put the median at 36 days for March 2025, the most recent annual comparison period available. The practical difference: NAR’s metric covers only the listing period, not the closing period.
The combined timeline most sellers should plan for in 2026:
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Pre-listing preparation | 1–4 weeks |
| Active listing (listing to offer accepted) | 40–66 days |
| Under contract to closing | 30–45 days |
| Total end-to-end | 70–115 days |
The trend is clearly toward longer timelines. In 2021–2022, the national median DOM was under 20 days. By 2024 it had climbed to around 47 days. In 2025, the annual average rose further — the highest since the pandemic — per Redfin’s market data. The pattern reflects rising inventory and affordability pressure from elevated mortgage rates.
Average Days on Market by State
State-level DOM varies by a factor of nearly four. The data below draws from analysis of Redfin and Zillow state-level market data (2025), covering all 50 states. Numbers represent median days from listing to accepted offer.
Fastest-Selling States
| State | Median DOM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 22 days | Chronically low supply; competitive Boston metro |
| Nebraska | 24 days | Strong affordability, low inventory |
| Washington | 25 days | Seattle metro drives the state average down |
| Alaska | 26 days | Limited inventory; few listings move quickly |
| Kansas | 27 days | Affordable prices attract fast-moving buyers |
| Indiana | 28 days | Indianapolis metro a consistent fast-seller |
| Rhode Island | 28 days | Tiny state, limited supply |
| Michigan | 29 days | Grand Rapids fastest city nationally at 13 days |
| Delaware | 29 days | DC suburb demand spills over |
| Virginia | 29 days | Northern VA and Richmond drive fast state median |
Slowest-Selling States
| State | Median DOM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 80 days | High prices, small buyer pool, tourism-driven supply |
| Montana | 78 days | Remote market, limited buyer pool, rising prices |
| Louisiana | 69 days | Affordability concerns, insurance costs slow buyers |
| South Carolina | 68 days | Post-pandemic boomtown cooling; inventory up |
| South Dakota | 65 days | Low population density, limited demand |
| Florida | 61 days | Rapid inventory expansion; Miami median 69 days |
| Tennessee | 58 days | Nashville market cooling after 2021–2022 surge |
| North Dakota | 58 days | Oil cycle volatility dampens buyer confidence |
| West Virginia | 55 days | Thin market, small buyer pool |
| Arizona | 55 days | Phoenix now averaging ~62 days after inventory surge |
Selected Mid-Range States
| State | Median DOM |
|---|---|
| California | 37 days |
| Ohio | 32–38 days |
| Oregon | 34–40 days |
| Illinois | 36–42 days |
| Colorado | 38–45 days |
| Georgia | 42–48 days |
| North Carolina | 44–50 days |
| New York | 40–55 days |
| Florida | 61 days |
| Texas | 82 days (statewide; varies sharply by city) |
Note on Texas: The statewide median of 82 days (March 2026, Redfin) reflects the Austin metro’s dramatic slowdown — Austin homes have been among the slowest-selling in the country in early 2026, compared to its pandemic-era sub-10-day pace. Dallas and Houston metros average faster at 44–55 days.
Sources: Analysis of Redfin state-level market data (2025–2026); FRED MEDDAYONMARUS series.
Average Time to Sell by Season
Seasonality is one of the most reliable predictors of how fast a home sells. The pattern is consistent across years: spring sees the fastest sales, winter the slowest.
| Season | Months | National Median DOM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | 40–48 days | Peak buyer activity; fastest DOM nationally |
| Summer | June–August | 41–50 days | Strong activity through July; August slows |
| Fall | September–November | 51–55 days | Declining activity; fewer buyers |
| Winter | December–February | 55–66 days | Slowest season; motivated buyers only |
Monthly breakdowns from Redfin 2025 data:
- May–June 2025: Lowest DOM readings of the year, approximately 40–41 days (Redfin)
- October 2025: 51 days — seven days longer than October 2024 (Redfin)
- November 2025: 53 days — seven days longer year-over-year (Redfin)
- January 2026: 66 days — typical winter peak (Redfin)
- March 2026: 55 days — spring pickup underway
Regional seasonal variation: The spring premium is more pronounced in the Northeast and Midwest, where winters are harsh and buyers actively wait for spring. In Sun Belt markets (Florida, Texas, Arizona), the seasonal spread is narrower — October and November can see strong buyer activity as retirees and snowbirds arrive. In coastal California, the market stays relatively active year-round.
If you're weighing when to list, our guides on the best month to sell a house and when is the best time to sell a house cover regional timing in detail.
Average Time to Sell by Market Type
The type of market — seller's, buyer's, or balanced — has more impact on DOM than almost any other variable. Here's how they compare:
| Market Type | Definition | Typical DOM | Conditions in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seller's market | Under 3 months of supply | Under 30 days | Select Northeast, Midwest metros |
| Balanced market | 3–6 months of supply | 30–60 days | Most of U.S. in 2026 |
| Buyer's market | 6+ months of supply | 60–120+ days | Austin, Miami, parts of FL, TX, AZ |
How 2026 markets are classified:
By mid-2026, the national months of supply sits at 3 months — technically balanced — but individual markets vary dramatically:
- Seller’s markets persist in supply-constrained metros: Boston area (sub-22 days), Grand Rapids MI (among the fastest-selling submarkets nationally), Kansas City, Columbus OH.
- Balanced markets characterize most mid-tier metros: Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Portland, Nashville (somewhat recovered from its 2024 oversupply peak).
- Buyer’s markets have emerged in former pandemic boomtowns: Austin (median days well above the national average), Miami (majority of listings sitting 60+ days), Phoenix, and parts of coastal Florida.
To check whether your specific market currently favors buyers or sellers, see our analysis of is it a good time to sell a house.
Average Time to Sell by Price Range
Higher-priced homes take longer to sell in virtually every market. The buyer pool shrinks as price rises, financing grows more complex, and appraisals become more challenging.
| Price Range | Typical DOM (National, 2025–2026) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under $200,000 | 15–30 days | High demand, very limited supply of affordable homes |
| $200,000–$350,000 | 25–42 days | First-time buyer sweet spot; fastest-moving segment |
| $350,000–$500,000 | 35–55 days | Move-up buyer territory; competitive in most markets |
| $500,000–$750,000 | 50–75 days | Narrower buyer pool; rate-sensitivity increases |
| $750,000–$1,000,000 | 60–90 days | Jumbo financing complications; careful buyer scrutiny |
| $1,000,000+ (luxury) | 64–100+ days | Thin buyer pool; longer decision timelines |
Luxury data: Redfin’s Q4 2025 luxury report found that luxury homes (top 5% by value nationally) that went under contract in December 2025 spent a median of 64 days on the market — five days longer than the prior year. Non-luxury homes took a median of 50 days over the same period.
One dynamic that makes sub-$300K homes sell fast even in soft markets: there are very few of them left in most metros. Buyers compete intensely for affordable inventory even as mid- and upper-tier homes accumulate days on market.
Closing Timeline After Offer Accepted
Accepting an offer is not the finish line. For most transactions in 2026, the closing process takes an additional 30 to 45 days.
| Buyer Type | Typical Closing Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash buyer | 7–21 days | No appraisal or underwriting required |
| Conventional loan | 30–45 days | Standard timeline; underwriting is rate-limiting step |
| FHA/VA loan | 35–50 days | Additional appraisal requirements may extend timeline |
| Jumbo loan | 45–60 days | More complex underwriting; larger documentation requirements |
The main causes of closing delays:
- Appraisal gaps (home appraises below purchase price, requiring renegotiation)
- Buyer underwriting complications (lender requests additional documents)
- Inspection-driven renegotiations (repair credits, price reductions)
- Title issues (unresolved liens, boundary disputes)
- HOA documentation delays (common in condo transactions)
Pre-listing inspections eliminate a major source of under-contract surprises. Having all disclosures ready on day one speeds the process. Being flexible on closing date makes your offer more attractive and reduces the chance of a buyer requesting extensions.
How to Sell Faster Than the Average
The 55-day national median is not inevitable. Sellers who execute well on the following consistently beat it:
Price accurately from day one. This is the single highest-leverage factor. Homes priced at or below market value generate the most showings in the first 7–14 days, when buyer attention is highest. An overpriced home that requires a price cut after 30–45 days typically sells for less than it would have at an accurate initial price. Pull recent comparable sales — not asking prices — and price accordingly.
List during the spring window. Homes listed between late March and mid-May consistently sell faster than those listed in fall or winter. If you have flexibility on timing, this alone can shave 10–20 days off your expected timeline.
Maximize listing quality. Professional photos, a virtual tour, and an accurate, benefit-forward description increase click-through rates and showing requests from buyers searching online. In 2026, virtually all buyers begin their search digitally.
Make the home easy to tour. Buyers who can't schedule a showing skip to the next listing. Being flexible — same-day showings, evenings, weekends — maximizes the number of buyers who walk through.
Consider a cash offer. If your priority is speed and certainty over price optimization, an iBuyer cash offer removes the waiting entirely. Opendoor can close in as few as 14 days — no showings, no negotiations, no risk of a deal falling through because of buyer financing. You choose the closing date. Get your offer today.
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