How Long Does Buying a House Take?
Published by Cash Flow Deals · Last updated 2026-08-04 · Published and reviewed for compliance by Camilo Palacio, a Florida Licensed Realtor
Most home purchases close 30 to 45 days after the contract is signed. Conventional loans average around 42 days. FHA and VA loans often run past 70 days. Cash deals can close in a week if both sides waive contingencies. The single biggest lever on that timeline is financing type, not the house hunt that came before it.
| Financing Type | Typical Timeline | What Adds Time |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional loan | About 42 days on average | Standard appraisal, underwriting, and title work |
| FHA or VA loan | Often past 70 days | Extra government underwriting layers and paperwork |
| Cash purchase | As fast as 7 days | Skips loan underwriting almost entirely |
The Full Timeline, Start to Finish
House hunting itself can take anywhere from a weekend to over a year, and it isn't part of the 'time to close' number most sites quote. The clock most buyers care about starts the day a contract is signed. From there, a lender orders an appraisal, which takes 6 to 20 days total: a 30 to 60 minute site visit followed by several business days for the appraiser to deliver a report. At the same time, the buyer moves through inspection, loan underwriting, and title work. Once the lender issues a clear to close, both sides schedule a final walkthrough and sign at the closing table.
Financing Type Changes the Clock
Financing type is the single biggest lever on speed. Conventional loans close in about 42 days on average, and most buyers with conventional financing can expect 30 to 45 days from signed contract to closing. FHA and VA loans add extra underwriting layers and paperwork, which can push the timeline past 70 days. A cash purchase skips loan underwriting almost entirely and can close in as few as seven days, though most cash buyers still choose to order an inspection for their own protection even when it isn't required.
What Actually Slows a Closing Down
Delays cluster around a few repeat offenders. A low appraisal forces a renegotiation because the lender will not fund more than the appraised value, no matter what the contract says. Title issues, like an old lien or a boundary dispute nobody caught earlier, can stall a closing for weeks while it gets cleared. Underwriting conditions are another common one: a lender asking for one more pay stub or an explanation of a bank deposit can push a closing date back by days. Repair negotiations after inspection are probably the most common delay of all, because they reopen a price everyone thought was already settled.
Common questions
Can a house closing happen in less than 30 days?
Yes, it's possible, especially with cash or a buyer whose loan is already pre-underwritten. It's rare to close in under 14 days with financing involved.
Does the appraisal always happen before closing?
For financed purchases, yes. The lender requires it before releasing funds. Cash buyers can skip an appraisal entirely since no lender is involved.
What's the single biggest reason closings get delayed?
Financing issues, like missing documents or an appraisal gap, and title problems are the two most common causes of a delayed closing.
Is house hunting counted in the '30 to 45 day' number?
No. That window starts once a contract is signed, not when the search begins. Some searches take a weekend; others take a year.
Keep reading
What this means for your options
Every path to selling a house has real tradeoffs. Cash Flow Deals is built for the middle: faster than a traditional listing, more money than a cash investor.
Wait and see
Keep the property as-is and hope conditions improve. The mortgage, insurance, and upkeep keep costing money while you wait, with no set date for things to turn around.
List with a traditional agent
Standard MLS listing, typically 5-6% in commission, and a financed buyer whose deal depends on appraisal, inspection, and lender approval — any of which can fall through after weeks on market.
Sell to Cash Flow Deals
No repairs, no showings, no financing contingency on your side — our novation structure connects you with a bank-financed buyer at a price locked at signing. Usually within one business day.
See your selling options before you decide anything.