How Long to Sell a Home in San Francisco? (2025)

Selling a house in San Francisco can be tricky. Many things affect how long it takes. For example, the market, price, location, and home condition matter. Also, your choice of real estate agent is important.

So, how long does it usually take? Often, homes in San Francisco sell within 30 to 60 days. But this time can be shorter or longer. Let’s look at why.

How the SF Market Affects Selling Time (April 2025)

The San Francisco housing market is a big factor. We need to look at supply and demand. Are there many homes for sale? Are many people looking to buy?

• Seller’s Market: This means few homes are for sale, but many people want to buy. In this case, homes sell very fast. Sometimes under 2 weeks. They often get many offers.
• Buyer’s Market: This means many homes are for sale, but fewer people are buying. So, homes take longer to sell. It could be 60 days or more. Buyers have more power to negotiate.
• Balanced Market: Here, sale times are often in the average 30-60 day range.

What about the market now (April 2025)? The SF market is busy, But the market changes often. So, check recent SF housing market reports. Look for the “Average Days on Market” (DOM). This tells you how long homes are taking to sell right now.

How Price Affects How Fast You Sell

Your home’s price is very important. Setting a good price from the start helps sell faster.

• Good Pricing: Price your home based on similar sold homes nearby. (This is a CMA, or Comparative Market Analysis). Homes priced right attract more buyers. Therefore, they often sell faster. You might even get offers above your asking price.
• Pricing Too High: This can scare buyers away. Fewer people will see your home. Then, it might sit on the market longer. You may need to lower the price later.

Home Condition: Get Ready to Sell Faster

SF buyers often like turnkey homes. This means move-in ready. A clean, updated home can sell much faster.

Tips to prepare your home:

• First, get a home inspection before you list. You can fix problems early.
• Also, stage your home. This means making it look appealing to buyers. Clean and clear out clutter too.
• Plus, use great photos for online listings. Maybe add a virtual tour.
• And make sure the outside looks nice (good curb appeal).

Location in SF Matters

Some San Francisco neighborhoods sell faster than others. This might be because of good schools, shops, parks, or easy transit.

• Popular Areas: Places like Noe Valley or Bernal Heights often sell quickly.
• Other Areas: Homes in some other areas might take longer to sell.

A good local agent knows your neighborhood’s market speed.

A Good Agent Helps Sell Faster

Choosing the right San Francisco real estate agent is key. A good local expert helps you:

• Set the best price using a CMA.
• Market your home well to find buyers.
• Find serious buyers quickly.
• Handle offers and negotiate for you.
• Guide you through all the paperwork.

The Escrow & Closing Timeline

Your home sale isn’t final right when you accept an offer. Next comes escrow. This is the final closing period.

• How Long? Escrow usually takes about 21 to 30 days in SF.
• What Happens? During escrow, the buyer gets their final loan approval. An appraisal checks the home’s value. Inspections check the home’s condition. Finally, the title (ownership) legally transfers to the buyer.
• Conditions (Contingencies): Sometimes offers have conditions. For example, the buyer must get the loan. Or the home inspection must be okay. Meeting these conditions takes time.

Why Sales Can Be Delayed

Sometimes sales take longer than expected. Common reasons include:

• The price is too high.
• Big problems found during the home inspection.
• It’s hard to schedule showings (maybe tenants live there).
• The buyer has trouble getting their loan.
• The home appraisal value is lower than the sale price.
• There are problems with the property title (ownership papers).

In Summary: Selling Your SF Home Well

Most homes in San Francisco sell within 30 to 60 days (from listing to accepted offer). But you can help make it faster.

Focus on what you can control. For example, set a smart price. Get your home looking great. And hire a top local real estate agent. Doing these things helps you sell faster. You might also get a better price.

Want to sell your SF home fast and for a good price? Then talk to a local expert today.