How Long Does It Take to Sell a House to a Cash Buyer?

How long does it take to sell a house to a cash buyer? If you're weighing this option, the short answer is 7 to 14 days from accepted offer to closing. Compare that to the traditional route - which averages around 41 days just for the closing process, not counting the weeks or months your home might sit on the market first.

That speed difference isn't a gimmick. It comes down to skipping the mortgage approval process entirely. No lender underwriting, no bank appraisals, no waiting for loan committees to sign off. When a cash buyer has funds ready, the timeline shrinks because most of the traditional delays simply don't apply.

How long does it take to sell a house to a cash buyer vs. the traditional way?

Let's put some real numbers side by side so you can see the difference clearly.

With a traditional home sale, you're looking at roughly 2 to 3 months total. That breaks down to about 30 to 60 days to find a buyer (depending on your market) plus another 41 days on average for the mortgage-backed closing process. And that's assuming nothing goes wrong - no financing fall-throughs, no low appraisals, no buyer cold feet.

With a cash buyer, the entire process from initial contact to closing can happen in as little as 7 days. Most cash sales close within 7 to 14 days after the offer is accepted. Some sellers choose to extend that timeline to 30 days if they need more time to move or wrap things up - and that's completely fine. The flexibility goes both ways.

According to the National Association of Realtors, cash purchases made up 29% of all home sales in October 2025. That's nearly one in three transactions happening without a mortgage involved. There's a reason so many sellers are choosing this route.

Step-by-step: how long does it take to sell a house to a cash buyer?

Here's what the process looks like in practice, with realistic timeframes for each step.

1. Initial contact and property walkthrough (Day 1-2)

You reach out to a cash buyer, provide some basic details about your property, and schedule a walkthrough. Many cash buying companies will give you a preliminary offer within 24 hours of that first conversation. The walkthrough itself usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.

2. Cash offer presented (Day 1-3)

After seeing the property, the cash buyer presents a written offer. Unlike traditional sales where you might negotiate back and forth for days, cash offers are typically straightforward. The buyer has already factored in the property's condition, so there's no inspection contingency waiting to blow things up later.

3. You accept the offer and sign the contract (Day 2-4)

Once you accept, both parties sign a purchase agreement. Take your time to read everything. A reputable cash buyer won't pressure you to sign on the spot. This is also when the buyer typically submits earnest money to a title company as a good-faith deposit.

4. Title search and escrow (Day 3-10)

A title company does its work behind the scenes - verifying that the property title is clean, checking for liens or outstanding claims, and preparing closing documents. This is often the longest part of a cash sale, and it's largely out of your hands. A clean title can be confirmed in 3 to 5 business days. If there are complications (like an old lien from a contractor), it might take a bit longer.

5. Closing day (Day 7-14)

You show up, sign the final paperwork, hand over the keys, and receive your payment. That's it. No last-minute lender conditions. No anxious calls from a loan officer. Just signatures and a check (or wire transfer).

What factors can speed up or slow down a cash home sale?

While 7 to 14 days is the typical range, a few things can push that timeline in either direction.

Things that speed up closing:

• Clean title - If there are no liens, no disputes, and the ownership is straightforward, the title company can work quickly.
• Single owner on the deed - Multiple owners or estate situations add paperwork and coordination time.
• Proof of funds ready upfront - A legitimate cash buyer should have bank statements or a proof-of-funds letter ready before making an offer.
• No tenant complications - If the home is owner-occupied or vacant, closing is simpler. If there are tenants, you may need to coordinate lease terms or provide notice. (Already have tenants? Here's how to sell your house for cash even with a mortgage.)

Things that can cause delays:

• Title issues - Old liens, boundary disputes, or unclear ownership history can slow down the title search significantly.
• Probate properties - If you inherited the house and probate hasn't been completed, additional legal steps are needed before you can sell.
• Code violations or municipal holds - Some cities place holds on property transfers until outstanding violations are resolved.
• Divorce or bankruptcy proceedings - If either party is going through a divorce or bankruptcy, court approval may be required before the sale can close.
• HOA or property tax arrears - Outstanding HOA dues or back taxes need to be settled at closing, which can add time if the amounts need to be verified.

How to sell your house to a cash buyer as quickly as possible

If speed is your top priority, here are some practical things you can do to keep the process moving.

Gather your documents early. Before you even reach out to a cash buyer, pull together your deed, any mortgage statements, property tax records, and HOA information. Having these ready eliminates back-and-forth requests that eat up time.

Disclose everything upfront. Known issues with the property? Foundation cracks, roof damage, code violations? Tell the cash buyer right away. Surprises discovered later in the process cause delays. Cash buyers expect to buy homes in less-than-perfect condition - that's the whole point. Being honest from the start keeps things on track.

Choose a responsive title company. Ask your cash buyer if they work with a specific title company. Experienced cash buyers typically have relationships with title companies that prioritize fast closings. If you're coordinating the title company yourself, look for one that specializes in investor transactions.

Be available. Signing documents, answering questions from the title company, providing utility information - small delays add up when you're trying to close in under two weeks. Staying responsive can shave days off the timeline.

Clear up title issues proactively. If you know there's an old lien or an unresolved claim on your property, start working on it before listing. Talk to the title company or a real estate attorney about what can be resolved ahead of time.

Is selling to a cash buyer right for your situation?

Cash sales aren't the right fit for everyone, and that's worth acknowledging. Here's an honest look at when this approach makes the most sense - and when it might not.

A cash sale makes sense when:

• You need to close quickly due to relocation, financial pressure, or a life change
• Your home needs significant repairs that you can't afford or don't want to deal with
• You've inherited a property and want to move on without the hassle of listing it
• You're facing foreclosure and need to sell before the bank takes action
• You want certainty - no financing contingencies, no deals falling apart at the last minute

A traditional sale might be better when:

• Your home is in great condition and in a hot market where you'd attract competitive offers
• You're not in a hurry and can afford to wait for the highest possible price
• You enjoy the process of staging, showing, and negotiating (some people genuinely do)

There's no universal right answer. It depends on your timeline, your financial situation, and what matters most to you right now.

Red flags to watch for with cash buyers

Not every company that says "we buy houses for cash" operates the same way. Here's what to look out for:

• No proof of funds. A legitimate cash buyer should be able to show you bank statements or a proof-of-funds letter. If they dodge this request, walk away.
• Pressure to sign immediately. You should have time to review any contract with a lawyer or trusted advisor. Rushed timelines on the paperwork side (not the closing) are a warning sign.
• Fees or upfront costs. You should never pay a cash buyer to make an offer on your home. Their profit comes from the transaction itself, not from charging you.
• Vague or shifting offer amounts. If the offer changes significantly after the initial walkthrough without a clear reason, that's a problem.

A trustworthy cash buyer is transparent about how they arrive at their offer number, gives you time to think, and doesn't charge you a dime.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell my house for cash in less than 7 days?

It's possible but uncommon. The main bottleneck is the title search, which typically takes 3 to 5 business days at minimum. If you have a clean title and work with an experienced title company, closings as fast as 4 to 5 business days can happen.

Do cash buyers pay less than market value?

Generally, yes. Cash offers are typically below full retail market value. The tradeoff is speed, convenience, and certainty. You're saving money on agent commissions (usually 5-6% of the sale price), repair costs, staging, and months of mortgage payments while your home sits on the market. For many sellers, the net difference ends up being smaller than expected.

Do I need a real estate agent to sell to a cash buyer?

No. Most sellers who work with cash buyers handle the transaction directly. However, you can still hire an attorney to review the contract if you want an extra layer of protection. Some cash buyers will even cover basic closing costs.

What happens if the cash buyer backs out?

If a cash buyer backs out after the contract is signed and the contingency period (if any) has passed, you typically keep their earnest money deposit. This is one reason earnest money matters - it shows the buyer is serious and gives you financial protection if the deal falls through.

The bottom line

Selling a house to a cash buyer takes an average of 7 to 14 days from accepted offer to closing. That's roughly one-third the time of a traditional mortgage-backed sale. The process is simpler because there's no lender involvement, no appraisal requirement, and fewer contingencies that can derail the deal.

Whether that speed is worth the potential tradeoff in sale price depends entirely on your situation. If you're dealing with a time-sensitive move, a property that needs work, or simply want to avoid the uncertainty of a traditional sale, a cash buyer can get you to closing faster than almost any other option available.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Every home sale is different, and timelines may vary based on your specific situation, location, and local regulations. We recommend consulting with a qualified real estate attorney or financial advisor before making any decisions about selling your property. Cha-Ching Co is a licensed home buying company and may have a financial interest in purchasing your property.