How Long Will It Take To Sell My Home?

Dear Phyllis,
My company is relocating to Florida, and they will be paying my selling expenses. I have been reading your column for so many years, I feel as if I know you. Unfortunately, for us to obtain the full transfer package we need to use a Realtor they are recommending. Moving out of state, timing is my major concern. I am wondering how long will it take to sell my La Crescenta home?

~ Leaving on a Jet Plane

Dear Leaving,
There are three phases to selling your home. The first phase is the preparation phase. How much time and effort you decide to put into the sale of your home is up to you.

The second phase is the marketing phase. Once your home is ready for professional photographs, the turn around time is two to three days to receive the photos. When the photos are received your real estate agent should list your home in the multiple listing service (MLS).

Discuss with your Realtor the benefits of using the “coming soon” status. This status allows your home to be listed in the MLS before the listing reverts to active status. For instance, if your home is listed “coming soon” in the MLS on Monday it will be disseminated to numerous real estate portals on Monday. Perhaps showings will commence on Friday. Friday will be the day your listing status changes to “active,” but days on market will be zero. You have earned four free marketing days.

There are not enough La Crescenta homes for sale to satisfy the buyers wanting to move to this community. If your home is properly priced, you will sell in less than 12 days over the list price.

The final third phase is the escrow process. Your Realtor does not have control over the buyer’s choice of lender. A great lender can close in 30 days or less. A mediocre one will take another two – three weeks.
Best of luck on your sale and your move.