Most cash sales can close in as little as 7 to 14 days once you accept an offer, since there's no mortgage underwriting or appraisal contingency to wait on. That said, speed is flexible — if you need 30, 60, or 90 days to make other arrangements, a cash buyer can typically work around that instead of forcing a rushed move.
What determines the timeline
The biggest factor is title: how quickly a title company can complete a clean title search and clear the way for closing. A straightforward title with no liens or estate complications can close in about a week. Anything more complex — unresolved liens, unpaid property taxes, or an estate that hasn't finished probate — adds time while those get sorted out first.
What can slow it down
- Title issues. Liens, judgments, or back taxes that need to be resolved or paid off before closing.
- Estate or probate matters. A personal representative may need to be formally appointed before they can sign on behalf of an estate.
- HOA payoff details. Getting a final statement from an HOA can occasionally add a few days.
- Your own timeline. Needing extra time to pack up and move is common and easy to build into the closing date.
How this compares to a financed buyer
A financed buyer typically needs 30 to 45+ days for their lender to underwrite and approve the loan, plus an appraisal that has to come in at or above the sale price. Any of that can stall or kill the deal late in the process — something a cash sale simply doesn't have to wait on.