Need to sell your house fast? It takes an average of 93 days to sell a house in the United States. If you don’t have that kind of time, you’ve got options.
Most people who need to sell a house fast will either:
- ⚡️Sell to a cash home buyer or iBuyer: These companies can make you an offer extremely quickly — sometimes in less than 24 hours — and you can close on your sale in about two weeks or less. However, you’ll make less than market value on your home (typically only 70%).
- 💵 Sell with a top real estate agent: An experienced agent can help you sell your home quickly and get more cash in your pocket, but you’ll likely have to wait longer than you would with a cash buyer.
But these aren’t your only options. If you want to avoid lowball offers and long selling timelines, try Clever Offers for free!
Compare Instant Cash Offers from multiple vetted investors in your area, and get up to 100% of your home's value. Or, choose our 7-Day-Sold program to sell your home on the open market in just 7 days. See your instant cash offer today.
Find your state from the list below to get personalized advice about selling a house fast in your area.
The best cash home buyer companies nationwide
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✨ Our Pick
Clever Offers
Offers Marketplace⚡ Get Cash OffersBest for: Most home sellers. Compare all cash offers and options in one place.
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We Buy Houses
Cash InvestorLearn MoreBest for: People with fixer-uppers or hard-to-sell homes who need to sell fast.
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Homeward
iBuyerRequest OfferBest for: People with homes in good condition who need to sell fast.
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Knock
Bridge LoanLearn MoreBest for: People with lots of equity tied up in their current home who need to move now.
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Xome
Online AuctionRequest OfferBest for: People with homes that need major repairs who have a few weeks or more to sell.
» MORE: Compare the best cash home buyers nationwide.
Sell my house fast to a cash home buyer
Pros
- You can sell fast and close quickly, sometimes within a week.
- Cash buyers are more likely to buy your home as is (no repairs required).
- Good option if you’re facing foreclosure or another difficult circumstance.
Cons
- You’ll likely sell for less than you’d make on the open market.
- Some real estate investors use high-pressure negotiating tactics.
- Not all cash buyers are trustworthy companies.
If your top priority is simply getting out from under your mortgage, a cash buyer like We Buy Houses or Clever Offers can help you do it. Companies that buy houses for cash can purchase your house quickly, and they're often willing to buy homes that wouldn't sell otherwise, including homes with major issues like water damage or cracked foundations.
If you need to sell your house as is (without making repairs), selling to a cash home buyer can be a simple solution. However, remember that these companies buy distressed properties to resell them for a profit, so they typically only pay about 70% of the home’s value, minus the estimated cost of the repairs.
For the typical US home with a value of $368,581, the average cash offer would be around $230,363.[1] This factors in the average repair costs of $27,644 and the 30% reduction of the home’s value.
Since a cash buyer doesn’t need to secure financing, the closing period is much faster than a traditional sale. Generally, houses on the open market take around 93 days to sell, but when you sell with a cash buyer, it could take just 7-14 days.[2]
Selling to a cash home buyer generally works like this:
- #1. Request an offer: Submit basic information about your home through an online form or over the phone with the company. Within a few days, you should receive an initial estimate of your cash offer.
- #2. Complete inspection: A company representative or a third-party inspector examines your property’s condition. After the inspection, the cash buyer will adjust your offer based on estimated repair costs.
- #3. Accept the offer and close: If you accept the company’s final offer, you can quickly sign the purchase agreement and choose a closing date. If all goes well, you can expect to close and receive payment within 1 to 2 weeks.
In a recent Clever study, 66% of recent home sellers think that selling to a cash buyer will result in an under-market-value sale, and 44% of sellers think it’s the least profitable way of selling a home.
However, 38% of recent home sellers think that it’s the fastest way to sell a home, and 65% of recent sellers who sold to a cash buyer report selling within one month.
54% of recent sellers also report not taking on any additional expenses when selling to a cash buyer.
Sell my house fast to an iBuyer
Pros
- You can sell fast and close quickly, typically within two weeks.
- You don’t have to worry about home prep, negotiating, or preparing for showings.
- The iBuyer usually provides a contractor to make repairs.
Cons
- The final offer may be much lower than the initial offer.
- You typically can't negotiate the sale price.
- You usually pay at least 5% of the purchase price in service fees.
If you have a home in fairly good condition, an iBuyer can help you sell your home in under two weeks and generally pay a lot closer to market value than a cash buyer. The best iBuyers offer flexible closing timelines, advances for repairs or moving expenses, and have consistent positive reviews.
Unlike cash investors, who seek distressed properties they can flip for a hefty profit, iBuyers like Offerpad, Opendoor, and Homeward typically opt for homes in fairly good condition that are comparable to others selling in the area. That means they buy homes with a typical lot size (no more than 1.5 acres) and a price point within a given metro's range.
iBuyers currently operate in only about half of the United States. They mostly stick to major cities with healthy real estate markets and a higher concentration of residential homes for sale.
To boost their earnings, iBuyers like Opendoor typically charge service fees of about 5% of the purchase price. But these fees can climb to 10% or more depending on how much prep work the home needs and how long the iBuyer thinks it'll take to resell.
Each iBuyer has slightly different purchase requirements. Most iBuyers choose owner-occupied homes built after 1930 and need only minor repairs and updates.
You can submit your information for free. In most cases, you receive an offer (or rejection) within 24–48 hours, and you aren't obligated to commit.
Here's how selling to an iBuyer typically goes:
- #1. Request an initial offer: You visit an iBuyer's website to submit your property information via an online form. You receive a response within two days.
- #2. Get an inspection: If your property is eligible, the iBuyer conducts a video or on-site inspection to verify your home's condition.
- #3. Review the final offer: After the inspection, the iBuyer presents a revised offer, including deductions for needed repairs. Generally, repairs are 1–2% of the purchase price and can't be negotiated.
- #4. Choose your closing date: If you accept the revised offer, you sign the purchase agreement and pick a closing date. Most iBuyers offer a flexible closing window. You can often close in 1–2 weeks or up to 30 days or more. You receive the funds either on closing day or several days after.
Sell my house fast with an agent
Pros
- You’ll likely receive more money for your sale.
- You’ll have an agent to represent you in negotiations.
- You’ll get a free home evaluation for pricing guidance.
Cons
- Your home may take longer to sell.
- You’ll pay around 5.57% in commissions.
- You may need to repair or clean your home to get it market-ready.
If you want to sell fast for the most money, consider working with a top real estate agent in your area. Although it tends to take longer than selling directly to a cash buyer, good agents can typically get your home sold quickly and for a much higher profit. If you want to save money on agent commissions, consider selling with a discount real estate broker or low commission realtor.
It takes about 93 days to sell a house in the United States, but this timeline can fluctuate based on seasonality, location, and buyer financing.
If you need to sell as fast as possible, the right real estate agent will adjust their approach to expedite the process. Your realtor may even suggest pursuing multiple tactics to ensure a faster closing, like soliciting cash offers from third-party buyers and using an iBuyer as a backup.
JC Young, who has more than a decade of experience selling homes in Austin and North Texas, says that if a buyer brings cash, "closing can happen as soon as two days after they get the title work and HOA documents — or seven to ten days total."
Young also notes that many buyers get fully underwritten by their lenders before submitting offers, allowing them to close 14-17 days after signing the contract — about the same amount of time it takes to sell to an iBuyer.
| ⭐ The average home seller who lists with Clever gets their first qualified offer in 24.1 days — that’s 34 days faster than the average time to receive an offer in the United States. Match with top-rated agents who offer a discounted 1.5% listing fee. |
In a recent Clever study, 58% of recent home sellers believe that selling with a real estate agent is the easiest way to sell a home, and 40% say it’s the fastest way to sell.
While 69% of sellers say that selling with a real estate agent is the most expensive way to sell a home, we found in another Clever Real Estate study that those who sell with an agent make $79,000 more profit on their home sale than those who don’t.=
Sell my house fast with a trade-in service
Pros
- You can control your move dates.
- You can avoid paying two mortgages while you sell.
- A trade-in service will buy your home if it doesn’t sell within the listing period.
Cons
- You’ll pay up to 6% in service fees.
- You may owe rent on your new home until your old home sells.
- You may be required to work with the company’s agents or lenders.
A home trade-in service can help you sell quickly when moving from one home to another.
When you sell and buy a home, it's rare for the closing dates to match up perfectly. A study by Clever found that 23% of home sellers say their home took longer to sell than expected, and 21% say they struggled to time the home sale with moving into their new home. A trade-in service can potentially help in these cases.
Trade-in services like Knock and Orchard give you the money to buy a new house before selling. Once you move out, they help you list your home on the open market, where it has the greatest chance of selling for top dollar. Most companies offer interest-free loans to cover minor repairs and improvements to help you maximize your home's selling potential.
If your home doesn't sell within the listing period (usually 3–4 months), the trade-in company purchases it for an amount that you agree upon upfront. This backup cash offer is generally less than what you'd get on the market, but it assures you of a guaranteed sale.
Trade-in providers charge service fees of up to 6%, which is about the same as what you'd pay a realtor. Depending on the company, you might also have to pay rent on your new home until your old one sells. These fees and expenses are automatically deducted from your proceeds at closing.
When you use a trade-in service, the process usually goes like this:
- #1. Get qualified: The cash amount that you qualify for typically depends on how much equity you have in your current home.
- #2. Find your new home: With your loan pre-approval, you can make a non-contingent offer backed by the trade-in company's cash.
- #3. Sell your old home: Depending on the company, it acts as your listing agent or works with an agent you choose to prep, list, and sell your home.
- #4. Settle your bill: Once your home is sold, the trade-in provider collects its service fee and other expenses, including overlapping mortgage payments or money you borrowed for repairs. Your new home's title and any remaining profit are transferred to you at closing.
Expert tips to sell my house fast
Selling your home quickly requires strategic preparation and positioning in the market. Here are the most effective selling tips from top real estate professionals across the country to help your home sell fast.
🧼 Clean and depersonalize your home
“I strongly recommend a deep cleaning and decluttering,” advises Maryland realtor Georgette Calomeris with L.P. Calomeris Realty. “Buyers need to envision themselves in the space. Neutralize bold paint colors. This is an economical way to freshen up a home. Also look at the flooring and see if a deep cleaning would help or replacing or refinishing worn flooring surfaces.”
💰 Set the right price
According to Ohio realtor Tom Garuccio, pricing your home correctly is one of the most important factors in selling quickly. “Although we certainly don’t need to under-price the home, positioning it within the market to be a little bit more attractive will encourage more buyers and create a sense of urgency,” says Garuccio.
🏅 Hire a top real estate agent
An experienced agent who knows your local market can help you sell fast and for top dollar. They'll help you price appropriately, market effectively, and negotiate offers. “High-quality listing photos, virtual tours, and targeted online marketing help generate more interest,” says Janis Smith, a real estate agent in Dallas, TX. “Working with an experienced agent who understands how to market a fast sale effectively is crucial.”
Plus, an experienced real estate agent may have a pool of investors in their network who would be interested in buying your house for cash. “A good agent most likely has investor clients they can offer the property to if time is of the essence,” notes California realtor Michael Pellegrini.
🌳 Boost your curb appeal
“First impressions matter,” says South Carolina agent Jeremiah Oswald. “Fresh mulch, trimmed landscaping, a clean entryway, and a freshly painted front door can make a huge difference.”
Many buyers decide within seconds of seeing a home whether they're interested, so make that first glance count by boosting your home’s curb appeal.
🧰 Make strategic upgrades
Camee Sells, a Fort Worth realtor, advises sellers to focus on making high-impact, low-cost improvements. “A fresh coat of neutral paint (such as soft grays, beiges, or whites) makes the home feel clean, modern, and move-in ready,” says Sells. “If carpets are worn or stained, replacing them or opting for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or hardwood refinishing can dramatically improve buyer perception.
Avoid making major renovations that you won't recoup in the sale price, like roof replacements or luxury kitchen upgrades.
🙏 Offer buyer incentives
Sweetening the deal can motivate buyers to act quickly. Consider offering to pay closing costs, including a home warranty, covering moving expenses, being flexible with the closing timeline, or paying the buyer’s agent commission.
“When selling your home, offering a buyer’s agent commission is one of the most powerful marketing tools you have,” says Sells. “The reality is that most buyers work with an agent, and many buyers may prefer a home where their agent’s commission is covered by the seller rather than having to pay their agent out-of-pocket on top of their closing costs and down payment. By offering a competitive commission, you increase your home’s visibility and attract more serious buyers, which can lead to stronger offers and a faster sale.”
The best companies to sell my house fast by state
Many national services aren't available everywhere, so you’ll need to check which ones are in your area.
Local companies operating in one region or state may also be a good choice. These cash home buyers often have excellent knowledge of the local real estate market and may provide more personalized service.
Click on your state below to find companies near you that can buy your house fast.
Frequently asked questions about how to sell my house fast
One of the fastest ways to sell a house is selling to a cash home buyer. These companies pay for houses in cash, don’t require repairs, and can typically close within 7-14 days. Keep in mind that you’ll likely make less money for your sale (typically only 70% of its market value).
In a Clever real estate study, we asked top real estate agents what they thought would influence selling timelines in 2025. Here's what they ranked as the top factors:
- 🥇 The listing price (49% of agents)
- 🥈 Buyer demand (14%)
- 🥉 The property’s condition (12%)
- 4️⃣ Housing supply (11%)
- 5️⃣ The property’s location (10%)
It takes about 93 days to sell a house in United States, from listing to closing.
Factors that influence selling speed include method of sale (traditional sale, cash buyer, for sale by owner, etc.), seasonality, and local market conditions.
You can sell your house directly to a cash home buyer company (without using a realtor) and close within 7-14 days.
If you want to sell your house on the open market, selling without a realtor is likely not the fastest option. You'll need to handle all marketing, showings, and negotiations yourself while learning complex real estate processes. Unless you use a service to list your house on the MLS, your listing receives significantly less exposure, resulting in fewer potential buyers and extended time on the market.
When you sell your house to a cash home buyer, you typically pay fewer closing costs compared to a traditional sale. Most legitimate cash buyers cover many of the standard closing costs to make their service more appealing.
However, you may still be responsible for some expenses:
- Property taxes up to the closing date
- Any outstanding HOA fees or liens
- Transfer fees in some cases
- Your own attorney fees if you choose to have representation
- Service fees (iBuyers typically charge these at closing)
Why trust us
Data sources
For this article, our Research Team used real estate data from Zillow, Realtor.com, Clever Real Estate studies, and quotes from our Partner Agents to create this guide about how to sell a house fast. As these sources update, we refresh our pages to ensure our information is timely and accurate.
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