How long is long?

So how long does it take to buy a house?

It depends. Surely not the most straightforward answer, but there are a lot of factors that come in the play when purchasing a home. Most of the timeline is dependent on the buyer’s motivation to do paperwork and their type of financing. Obviously, a cash offer is the fastest option. Next is the conventional loan, followed by FHA, VA and other special programs.

For a motivated buyer, you can average a couple of months depending on financing. Therefore, it’s always good to start early and talk to a lender before looking at property. One of the issues buyers run into when looking at property before pre-approval is finding the home of their dreams and watching someone else buy it before their financing is approved.

So if you’re thinking of buying a home, even in the next year, it is vital to start talking with your Realtor and lender as soon as possible. The more aware you are as a buyer about the market and financing options, the easier it is to get through closing and into that home of your dreams.