How Long Does it Take to Buy a House?

Buying a home typically takes about four to five months. Your readiness to buy, how quickly you find a home, and market conditions may impact your timeline. Once you’ve found the right home and your offer is accepted, the closing process then typically takes another 30 to 45 days on top of that. 

That said, timelines to buy a house can vary widely. Factors such as time of year, the type of financing you’re using, the kind of home you’re after, and the current inventory in your local market all play a role in how long the process takes. Some buyers move quickly, while others may need a bit more time to find the right fit. 

Overall, buying a home is a major financial commitment, and it’s worth taking the time to make a well-informed decision. To help you better understand what to expect, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the typical home-buying timeline. 

1. Prepare your finances (6+ months before you start home shopping)

Before you actually start touring homes, it’s important that you get your finances in order. Ideally, you should begin preparing at least six months before you plan to start shopping. 

Start by saving for your down payment. While a 20% down payment has been the standard historically, many loan programs require less than 20% of the home’s purchase price. Remember to set aside another 2-5% to cover closing costs, which include fees for the loan, appraisal, title insurance, and more. 

Next, take a close look at your credit profile. A stronger credit score can unlock better interest rates and save you many thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage. Request a copy of your credit report from all three major bureaus and resolve any errors. Then, talk to a loan or mortgage professional for guidance on how to raise your score and improve your creditworthiness. Common steps can be paying down credit card balances and avoiding taking on new debt. 

You can use our BuyAbility tool to plan your home buying budget using real-time interest rates powered by Zillow Home Loans*. As interest rates shift, your budget will adjust to personalize your home shopping experience on Zillow.

2. Get to know your market (4-5 months before you plan to buy)

About four to five months before you hope to move in, start diving into your target markets. Use platforms like Zillow to explore homes for sale in your preferred neighborhoods and price range. Try to visit open houses, even if you’re not ready to buy yet. This will help you get a clearer sense of what’s available, what features matter most to you, and what you might compromise on. 

As you narrow down your wish list, start connecting with local real estate professionals. A trusted real estate agent will be an invaluable resource during this process. Agents offer insights into the market to help you identify the right property, and introduce you to other key players like mortgage brokers, attorneys, and home inspectors. 

This is also an important time to protect your credit health. Avoid making large purchases or taking out new loans, as these can negatively affect your credit score and your debt-to-income ratio. Both are key factors lenders will use to determine how much you’re eligible to borrow. Likewise, try to maintain stability in your income and employment, as any major changes can impact your future financing options. 

3. Get pre-approved (2-3 months before you buy)

Roughly two to three months before you decide you’re ready to buy, you’ll want to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This step gives you a clearer picture of your budget and shows sellers you’re a serious and qualified buyer. Having a pre-approval in hand will give you a competitive edge as you move into the next phase: house hunting!

To get pre-approved, you’ll need to gather financial documents, such as bank statements, recent pay stubs, and tax returns. Most lenders can process your application and issue a pre-approval letter within a day or two. This letter typically remains valid for 60 to 90 days and can strengthen your offer when you find the right home.

4. Start searching for the right home (around 4-5 months)

With your pre-approval in hand, you’re ready to start your home search. Depending on local inventory, this phase can take anywhere from a few weeks to four or five months, potentially even longer. A low supply of homes may extend your timeline, while a larger inventory could speed it up. 

Nearly all buyers (94%) use online tools like websites or apps to shop for homes. Make sure to set up saved searches, so you’re instantly notified when a listing meets your criteria. Your agent can also search the MLS and schedule showings for homes that fit your needs. 

The important part here is to be patient, but that can be hard. Timelines tend to vary by experience: 22% of first-time buyers said they had to buy a home quickly, while 43% of repeat buyers described their process as more relaxed and exploratory. Regardless of your pace, the goal is the same: find a home you love, in a location you’re excited about, at a price that works for you.

5. Make an offer (1-5 days)

Once you’ve found the right home, it’s time to make an offer. Just know that it might not be accepted right away, and you could very well see a denial or counteroffer. In 2024, the typical home buyer reported making one offer before securing an acceptance. However, nearly half of buyers (47%) made two or more offers. More offers can be especially common in competitive markets with limited inventory or during bidding wars against cash buyers. 

Again, your agent will be a helpful resource. They can craft a strong offer based on market conditions, recent sales, and seller expectations. 

6. Schedule your home inspection (within 7-10 days of going under contract) 

Book your home inspection as soon as possible after your offer is accepted, preferably within the first week. Most purchase agreements give you around 10 days to complete it and submit any repair or credit requests if you have an inspection contingency. 

7. Finalize your mortgage (about 30-45 days)

During escrow, your lender’s underwriting team will work to officially approve your loan. This includes reviewing all financial documents, ordering an appraisal, and confirming your home’s insurance provider. FHA or VA loans may involve additional steps, so the process can take a bit longer. 

Stay in close contact with your lender and respond quickly to requests for paperwork. Let your agent and attorney know of any updates, especially if your income or credit changes after pre-approval, as that may trigger further verification. Also, inform your lender of your preferred home insurance provider, so they can include that in any notes or paperwork.

8. Negotiate and finalize an agreement with the seller (up to 1 week)

Once your offer is accepted, it might be the case that negotiations aren’t quite over. You and the seller may go back and forth on a few final things like price, closing date, or repairs. Expect a few rounds of counter-offers and negotiations before reaching a final agreement. Once terms are settled, both parties sign the contract, and the official closing process begins. 

9. Start planning your move (3-4 weeks before closing)

With your closing date approaching, it’s time to get moving — literally! Book a moving company, set up your mail forwarding through USPS, and research utility providers in your new area. If you’re renting, now is the time to give notice according to your lease. The timeline is usually about 30 days, so it's better to give a heads-up sooner rather than later.

10. Close on your new home (closing week)

Before signing the final paperwork, you’ll do a final walk-through of the property to make sure that the home and everything inside it are in agreed-upon condition and that all contingencies have been met. This usually happens the day before or sometimes even the morning of closing.

Then you’ll head to the title company (or attorney’s office) to sign your closing documents. Once everything is finalized and funded, you’ll get the keys and officially become a homeowner! 

How to keep your home-buying process moving forward

While some parts of the homebuying process, like loan underwriting or title work, are out of your control, there’s still plenty you can do to keep things on track and avoid unnecessary delays.

Start by responding quickly to paperwork requests from your lender, agent, or escrow officer. Delays often happen when documents go unsigned or sit waiting in someone’s inbox. Be prompt, and don’t hesitate to follow up.

Next, schedule your inspections as soon as your offer is accepted. The sooner they’re completed, the sooner you can address any issues and move toward closing. Similarly, make sure your agent is regularly communicating with the seller’s side to keep momentum going and quickly resolve any questions or negotiations.

Staying organized, proactive, and communicative won’t eliminate every delay, but it can make a huge difference in how smoothly your purchase moves along.

*Zillow Home Loans; an equal housing lender. NMLS #10287