What Is the Average Time to Sell a House in Florida?

What factors influence the home selling timeline in Florida?

When listing a house in Florida, several factors can impact how fast it sells. These range from the home’s attributes to broader market trends and, as Spearman noted, the pricing strategy you use.

When asked what specific property feature tends to sell faster or slower, Spearman reiterates the driving factor: “I’m gonna say three words — ‘price drives sales.’ So any home that’s priced right is going to sell.”

She notes that in her Clearwater market, located on the west side, coastal mid-section of the state, townhomes and condos often sell faster than single-family homes. “It all depends on what the buyers are looking for in this market, but it’s definitely the price that’s driving the sales right now.”

But Spearman does point out that some home features can influence the selling timeline. Homes with built-in pools and smartly landscaped backyard spaces often sell faster. This aligns with the outdoor lifestyle many Florida residents look for, where well-maintained exterior areas can be big selling points throughout the state.

However, factors influencing selling timelines can vary widely from region to region within Florida, and from property to property. Other variables like the home’s condition, the quality of marketing materials, and the experience of your real estate agent can also impact how long it takes to sell a home. 

If you need to speed up your home sale, see our post: I Need to Sell My House Fast: What Are My Options? For a more personalized analysis of your home’s potential selling timeline, consider speaking with a knowledgeable Florida real estate agent in your city.

What will help my Florida house sell faster?

While selling times can vary widely based on many factors, there are certain steps you can take to help your Florida home sell faster. Below are some tried-and-true tips:

• Prepare your home: Spearman says her successful clients apply careful preparations, such as fresh paint, new or freshly cleaned carpets, deep cleaning, and landscaping or garden work. We’ll share some top preparation tips in the next section.
• Emphasize outdoor living: In Florida, outdoor living spaces can significantly influence a buyer’s decision. If you have a backyard patio or deck area, stage it properly to make it inviting. In your listing and photos, highlight features like a pool, outdoor kitchen, or garden.
• Stage your home: Well-staged homes can often sell faster. Consider using a professional home staging company that can showcase your house in its best light.
• Price correctly: Overpriced homes sit on the market too long, while well-priced homes can exceed typical DOMs. Spearman recounts, “I had a home recently that was on the market for 0 days before we went under contract because it was priced correctly.” Work with your agent to set a competitive price based on recent sales of comparable homes in your Florida city.
• Capture excellent images: High-quality photos can significantly impact online home searches, so even if you think you’re good with a camera, consider hiring a professional photographer. Most top agents will arrange for photos.
• Highlight unique features: Whether it’s a view or an excellent walkability score that makes the home near desirable amenities or locations, make sure to feature what makes your home special.
• Get a home inspection: Having a pre-listing home inspection and preemptively addressing potential home selling obstacles can speed up the selling process and provide potential buyers with peace of mind.

How should I prepare my Florida house to sell?

Getting your Florida home ready for sale is crucial to making a good impression and securing a fast sale. Seasoned agents like Spearman know that most buyers prefer to walk into a clean, inviting, turnkey home that is ready to live in, a home that is in good condition, where everything is in working order.

The tips below, while seemingly obvious or simple, can be the deciding factor for a buyer choosing between your Florida home and another property down the street.

Here are some key tips to prepare your Florida home for a fast sale:

• Deep clean: A clean home will make potential buyers feel welcome. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service for the best results.
• Upgrade landscaping: Florida buyers love outdoor spaces. Invest in professional landscaping to enhance first-impression curb appeal.
• Improve energy efficiency: Install energy-efficient appliances or solar panels to appeal to eco-conscious Florida buyers.
• Apply fresh paint: A fresh coat of neutral-colored paint can make your Florida home feel new and well-maintained.
• Repair property issues: Make sure all necessary fixes are addressed, whether it’s repairing leaky faucets or updating worn-out carpets
• Improve the home’s exterior: Enhance the curb appeal of your Florida home with well-maintained landscaping, freshly painted doors, or new outdoor lighting to attract more buyers.
• Declutter: Keep your Florida home tidy and depersonalized to help buyers envision their own lives there.
• Maintain your air conditioning unit: Ensure your AC is serviced and working optimally, as Florida buyers will likely check this, especially in the southern regions of the state.

By considering these factors and getting professional advice, you can make a more informed decision about when to sell your Florida home.