How Long Does It Take to Sell a Home? Fastest and Slowest Real Estate Markets 2026

How Long Does It Take to Sell a Home? A Timeline Based on Real Market Data

If you're planning to sell your home in 2026, one of your biggest questions is probably: "How long will this take?"

The answer depends entirely on where you're selling.

In Hartford, Connecticut, homes are selling in an average of just 7 days. In Austin, Texas, that same home could sit on the market for 106 days—more than three months.

That's a 15x difference between the fastest and slowest major markets in the United States.

This comprehensive guide analyzes real February 2026 market data from Redfin, Zillow, Realtor.com, and HousingWire to answer the question every seller wants to know: How long does it take to sell a home right now?

We'll cover:

- National average days on market
- The 10 hottest (fastest-selling) markets
- The 10 slowest (longest days on market) markets
- What's driving these differences
- How to estimate your selling timeline
- Strategies to sell faster regardless of your market

Let's dive into the real data.

National Average Days on Market in February 2026

The typical U.S. home that sold in January 2026 spent 64 days on the market before going under contract.

This represents:

- The longest selling timeline in 6 years
- 7 days longer than January 2025 (57 days)
- 20 consecutive months of year-over-year increases in time on market

What This Means:

The national market has shifted from the frantic, rapid-fire sales of 2020-2022 to a more measured pace. Buyers are taking their time, conducting inspections, negotiating terms, and evaluating options. Sellers no longer have the extreme leverage they enjoyed during the pandemic boom.

However, 64 days is still relatively fast compared to historical norms. Pre-pandemic (2019), homes typically spent 45-60 days on market, so we're now slightly above that baseline but far from a stagnant market.

Important Context:

National averages mask enormous regional variation. Some markets are 10x faster than the national average, while others are nearly 2x slower. Your actual selling timeline depends far more on your local market than on national trends.

The 10 Hottest Real Estate Markets: Where Homes Sell Fastest (February 2026)

Based on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com data, these markets have the shortest days on market, highest competition, and strongest seller advantages.

Complete Hot Markets Table
RankMetro AreaAverage Days on MarketKey Characteristics1Hartford, CT7 days66.4% of homes sell above asking price; inventory 63% below pre-pandemic levels; fastest price growth among major metros (+4.3% YoY)2Providence, RI9 daysStrong Northeast demand; affordable alternative to Boston; listings receive above-average views; homes sell 30% faster than national median3Philadelphia, PA11 daysWalkable city with historic appeal; 2.6% home value growth projected; new listings go pending in average of 11 days4San Jose, CA9-12 daysTech sector stability; median home value near $1.46 million; nearly 60% of listings close above asking; inventory at record lows5Boston, MA~10-12 daysLimited housing stock; median sale price ~$790,000; inventory below 2 months of supply; 65% of homes sold above asking in 20256Buffalo, NY~12-15 daysRanked #1 in 2024-2025; sellers maintained strong negotiating advantage; highest competition score on Zillow's heat index7Rochester, NY~13-15 daysZillow Market Heat Index ranks near top nationwide; diverse economy; homes sell in under two weeks; fierce buyer competition8New York Metro~14-17 daysStrong employment; lowest share of price cuts (13.5%); includes parts of NJ and PA; 8.5M+ residents create constant demand9Salt Lake City, UT19 days10 ski resorts within an hour; growing diverse population; home values expected to grow 2.3%; median value $555,85810Kansas City, MO~20-22 daysAffordable Midwest option; strong local economy; consistent buyer demand; balanced growth trajectory
Honorable Mentions (Fast-Selling Markets)
- Seattle, WA: Under 20 days average
- San Diego, CA: Strong coastal demand
- Madison, WI: 8 days average (healthy demand despite 20% sales volume dip)
- Grand Rapids, MI: 13 days (lowest inventory at 1.3 months supply)
- Milwaukee, WI: Home prices rising faster than most metros
What Makes These Markets So Hot?
1. Limited Inventory

All top-10 markets share one critical factor: severe housing shortages.

- Hartford: 63% below pre-pandemic inventory
- Providence: 39.4% below 2018-2019 averages
- Buffalo: Inventory deficit among highest in nation
- San Jose: Record-low inventory levels

Why This Matters: When there are far fewer homes than buyers, competition intensifies. Multiple offers become common, and sellers can command premium prices.

2. Northeast Dominance

7 of the top 10 hottest markets are in the Northeast.

Why?

- Population density creates persistent demand
- Limited land availability restricts new construction
- Strong job markets (tech, healthcare, education, finance)
- Buyers from NYC seeking affordable alternatives
- Connecticut benefits from New York exodus
3. Affordability Relative to Nearby Markets

Many hot markets are affordable compared to neighboring cities:

- Hartford vs. Boston
- Providence vs. Boston
- Philadelphia vs. New York City
- Rochester vs. New York City
- Buffalo vs. New York City

Buyers priced out of Tier-1 cities like Boston and NYC are flooding into these secondary markets, driving intense competition.

4. Strong Local Economies

Every hot market has solid employment fundamentals:

- Hartford: Insurance hub, growing tech sector
- San Jose: Silicon Valley tech employment
- Boston: Healthcare, biotech, universities
- Philadelphia: Healthcare, education, diversified economy
- Rochester: Universities, healthcare, manufacturing

Job growth creates housing demand. Period.

5. Migration Patterns

Several hot markets benefit from in-migration:

- Florida → Northeast: Some pandemic relocators returning
- California → Utah: Tech workers seeking affordability
- NYC → Connecticut/Rhode Island: Remote workers escaping high costs

The 10 Slowest Real Estate Markets: Where Homes Take Longest to Sell (February 2026)

Based on Redfin, Clever Real Estate, and local MLS data, these markets have the longest days on market, highest inventory levels, and strongest buyer advantages.

Complete Slow Markets Table
RankMetro AreaAverage Days on MarketKey Characteristics1Austin, TX106 daysSlowest December in records dating to 2012; median price dropped 4.2% YoY; 128% more sellers than buyers; overbuilt during pandemic boom2San Antonio, TX99 days (tied)4.5 months of housing supply; median price $308,000 (34% below national median); 62 days median on market; homebuilding boom created surplus3Fort Lauderdale, FL99 days (tied)Florida overbuilding; insurance costs rising; investor pullback; tied with San Antonio for slowest4Miami, FL92 days7.2 months of housing supply; home sales plummeted 5.24% from 2023-2024; median price $550,000; historic affordability crisis5West Palm Beach, FL87 daysSouth Florida surplus inventory; high insurance costs; median days climbing steadily6Tampa, FL~70-75 daysCooling market; declining sales; insurance and HOA challenges for condos; overbuilding in suburbs7Jacksonville, FL63 days4.2 months housing supply; sales decreased 3.18% YoY; Florida's largest city seeing slowdown8Orlando, FL~60-65 daysTourism-dependent economy; projected sales decline; investor property glut9Nashville, TN~55-60 daysMarket cooling after pandemic boom; still seeing modest growth but slowing significantly10Cape Coral/Sarasota, FL~60-70 daysCoastal Florida markets with surplus inventory; insurance concerns; price drops forecast
Honorable Mentions (Slow-Selling Markets)
- Honolulu, HI: 80 days (state average; most inventory nationally at 5.6 months supply)
- Daytona Beach, FL: Sales decline projected
- Sacramento, CA: Price drops forecast
- San Francisco, CA: Cooling market, inventory increasing
- Stockton, CA: Median price declines expected
What's Causing These Markets to Slow?
1. Pandemic Overbuilding

Texas and Florida led the nation in new home construction from 2020-2023.

The result?

- Too much supply relative to current buyer demand
- Austin added homes faster than population grew
- Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa saw condo construction boom
- San Antonio's single-family construction surge outpaced absorption

Current Reality: These markets now have 4-7 months of housing supply (vs. 2-3 months in hot markets), giving buyers abundant options and time to negotiate.

2. Affordability Challenges Despite Lower Prices

Paradox: Many slow markets have lower prices but worse affordability due to:

Rising Insurance Costs (Florida)

- Homeowners insurance in Florida increased 100-200% since 2020
- Flood insurance requirements in coastal areas
- Condo association insurance spikes
- Some properties becoming uninsurable

Property Taxes (Texas)

- No state income tax, but higher property taxes
- Rapidly rising home values = rapidly rising tax bills
- Austin/San Antonio property tax burden significant

Example from Austin:

- Rent: $2,900/month
- Buy same property: $6,500/month total cost (mortgage + taxes + insurance)
- Renting is 55% cheaper
3. Post-Pandemic Market Corrections

Austin and Miami were the hottest markets during the pandemic (2020-2022).

What happened?

- Unsustainable price appreciation (20-40% annual growth)
- Remote workers flooded in
- Investors bought heavily
- Speculative buying drove prices

Now? Prices correcting, remote work mandates returning, investors exiting, and locals priced out remain priced out.

4. Investor Pullback

Florida and Texas markets saw heavy investor activity during the boom. Now:

- Airbnb regulations tightening (Miami, Austin, San Antonio)
- Negative cash flow on rental properties due to insurance/taxes
- Declining appreciation expectations
- Exit strategy challenges (hard to sell quickly)

Result: Investor demand evaporated, removing a significant buyer segment.

5. Migration Reversals

Some pandemic relocators are returning to their origin states:

- High cost of living despite "low taxes"
- Summer heat unbearable (Texas, Florida)
- Lack of family/social networks
- Culture shock for Northeast/West Coast transplants

Meanwhile, fewer new arrivals are replacing those who leave.

Days on Market by Market Type: A Complete Comparison

Market Speed Categories
Market TypeDays on Market RangeSupply LevelExample MarketsUltra-Hot7-15 days1-2 months inventoryHartford, Providence, Philadelphia, BuffaloHot16-30 days2-3 months inventoryBoston, Seattle, Kansas City, Salt Lake CityBalanced31-50 days3-4 months inventoryDenver, Portland, Charlotte, Nashville (cooling)Cooling51-75 days4-5 months inventoryTampa, Jacksonville, SacramentoSlow76-110+ days5-7+ months inventoryAustin, Miami, San Antonio, Fort Lauderdale
National Baseline
- 2026 National Average: 64 days
- Pre-Pandemic Normal (2019): 45-60 days
- Pandemic Peak (2021): 17-25 days
- Historical Long-Term Average: 60-75 days

Interpretation: We're returning toward historical norms after an unprecedented fast-selling period.

What Determines How Fast YOUR Home Will Sell?

National and metro averages are useful, but your specific home's selling timeline depends on:

1. Location Within Your Market

Even within slow markets, some neighborhoods sell fast.

Example: Austin

- Overall market: 106 days
- West Austin (desirable neighborhoods): 45-60 days
- New suburban developments: 120+ days

Lesson: Micro-location matters as much as macro-market.

2. Price Point

General Rule:

- Lower-priced homes (under $300K): Sell faster (more buyer pool)
- Mid-priced homes ($300K-$600K): Market-average speed
- Higher-priced homes ($600K-$1M): Slower (smaller buyer pool)
- Luxury homes ($1M+): Significantly slower (niche buyers)

Exception: In expensive markets like San Jose and Boston, even $1M+ homes sell quickly due to wealth concentration.

3. Home Condition

Move-In Ready:

- Homes requiring no work sell 30-40% faster
- Buyers paying premium prices want perfection

Needs Updating:

- Dated kitchens, bathrooms, flooring add 20-40 days
- Structural issues can add 60+ days

Fixer-Uppers:

- Appeal to investors and DIYers (smaller pool)
- Can sit 2-3x longer than updated homes
4. Pricing Strategy

Priced Right (at or slightly below market):

- Generates multiple offers quickly
- Often results in sale price above asking

Overpriced (5-10% above market):

- Sits longer, gets stale
- Eventually requires price cut
- Total time on market 2-3x longer

Severely Overpriced (15%+ above market):

- May not sell at all
- Requires multiple price cuts
- Stigmatizes property as "problem listing"
5. Marketing and Presentation

Professional Marketing:

- Professional photos
- Virtual tours
- Staging
- Targeted advertising

Result: Sells 25-30% faster on average

Minimal Marketing:

- Smartphone photos
- No staging
- MLS-only listing

Result: Sits longer, attracts fewer qualified buyers

6. Season and Timing

Peak Selling Season (April-June):

- Most buyer activity
- Fastest sales
- Highest prices

Secondary Season (September-October):

- Moderate activity
- Steady sales

Slow Season (November-February):

- Fewer buyers
- Longer days on market
- But serious buyers (not just browsing)

Important: Market heat matters more than season. In ultra-hot markets, homes sell fast year-round.

How to Estimate Your Personal Selling Timeline

Use this formula to estimate your home's days on market:

Step-by-Step Estimation

Step 1: Start with Your Metro Average

Find your market in the tables above or check local MLS data.

Example: You're in Philadelphia

- Base estimate: 11 days

Step 2: Adjust for Neighborhood

- Hot neighborhood: -20 to -30%
- Average neighborhood: 0%
- Less desirable neighborhood: +30 to +50%

Example: Average neighborhood = 11 days (no adjustment)

Step 3: Adjust for Price Point

- Below median price: -10 to -20%
- At median price: 0%
- Above median: +20 to +40%
- Luxury ($1M+): +50 to +100%

Example: Above median = +25% = 14 days

Step 4: Adjust for Condition

- Excellent condition: -15%
- Good condition: 0%
- Needs updating: +30%
- Major repairs needed: +60%+

Example: Good condition = 14 days (no adjustment)

Step 5: Adjust for Pricing Strategy

- Priced aggressively (below market): -20 to -30%
- Priced right: 0%
- Overpriced: +40 to +100%

Example: Priced right = 14 days

Step 6: Adjust for Season

- Peak season: -10%
- Moderate season: 0%
- Slow season: +20%

Example: Peak season = -10% = 13 days

Your Personal Estimate

Philadelphia home, average neighborhood, above median price, good condition, priced right, peak season:

Estimated Days on Market: 13 days

From Listing to Closing: Complete Timeline

"Days on market" measures listing date to accepted offer. But the total selling timeline is longer:

Complete Home Selling Timeline
PhaseDurationActivitiesPre-Market Prep2-4 weeksRepairs, staging, professional photos, pricing analysisActive MarketingVaries by market7-106 days depending on locationUnder Contract30-45 daysInspections, appraisal, financing, title workClosing1 dayFinal walkthrough, signing documents, keys transferTOTAL6-20+ weeksFrom decision to sell until close
Example Timelines

Hartford Seller (Hot Market):

- Prep: 3 weeks
- Active marketing: 7 days
- Under contract: 35 days
- Total: 8 weeks

Austin Seller (Slow Market):

- Prep: 4 weeks
- Active marketing: 106 days (15 weeks)
- Under contract: 40 days (6 weeks)
- Total: 25 weeks (~6 months)

Lesson: Your market determines your timeline more than any other factor.

Strategies to Sell Faster (Regardless of Your Market)

Even in slow markets, you can beat the average days on market with the right strategies.

1. Price Aggressively from Day One

Strategy: Price your home at or slightly below comparable sales (not active listings).

Why It Works:

- Generates immediate interest
- Creates urgency and competition
- Often results in multiple offers
- Final sale price can exceed asking price

Example:

- Comps suggest $450K value
- List at $439K
- Receive 5 offers in first week
- Sell for $455K

Mistake to Avoid: Pricing high "leaving room to negotiate" backfires. Overpriced homes sit, get stale, require price cuts, and sell for less than if priced right initially.

2. Invest in Presentation

Must-Haves:

- Professional photography (not smartphone pics)
- Decluttering and deep cleaning
- Fresh paint in neutral colors
- Curb appeal improvements
- Strategic staging (at least main living areas)

Cost: $2,000-$8,000 Benefit: Sell 25% faster, often for 3-5% higher price ROI: 5-10x return on investment

3. Be Flexible with Showings

Strategy: Make your home available for showings:

- Evenings and weekends
- Short notice (2-hour notice)
- Virtual tours for out-of-town buyers

Why It Works: In competitive markets, buyers book showings the same day they see listings. If your home isn't available, they'll move on to the next option.

4. Address Known Issues Proactively

Strategy:

- Get pre-inspection and fix issues before listing
- Disclose known problems transparently
- Provide repair estimates or offer credits

Why It Works:

- Eliminates surprises during buyer's inspection
- Reduces negotiation delays
- Builds buyer confidence
- Removes excuses for lowball offers
5. https://agentsgather.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-sell-a-home-fastest-and-slowest-real-estate-markets-2026/