When you're ready to sell your house, one of the first questions you need to answer is: how quickly do you need to move on?

Your timeline matters more than you might think. It affects which selling option makes the most sense, how much money you'll walk away with, and how much stress you'll deal with along the way.

Two of the most common paths are getting a cash offer or listing your home the traditional way. Both have pros and cons. Neither is "better" across the board. It all comes down to what matters most to you right now.

Let's break down the differences so you can figure out which route fits your situation.

How Long Does Each Option Actually Take?

Cash offers move fast. Like, really fast. According to industry data, cash sales typically close in 7–14 days.[1] Some Connecticut cash buyers can finalize deals in as little as 7–10 days.[4]

That's because there's no mortgage involved. No bank approval. No appraisal waiting game. No underwriting delays. You're dealing directly with a buyer who has the funds ready to go.

Traditional listings take longer. A lot longer. From the time you list your home to the time you close, you're usually looking at 3–6 months.[1][3] Even after you accept an offer, traditional buyers need 30–45 days just for the financing process, and that's if everything goes smoothly.[3]

Add in showings, negotiations, inspections, appraisals, and potential repairs, and the clock keeps ticking.

What the Timeline Looks Like Step by Step

Cash Offer Timeline

Here's what typically happens with a cash sale:

• Day 1–3: You reach out to a cash buyer, they assess your home (sometimes virtually), and you get an offer.

• Day 4–7: You review the offer, negotiate if needed, and sign the purchase agreement.

• Day 8–14: The buyer conducts a title search, you sign closing documents, and the sale is finalized.

That's it. No waiting around. No wondering if the buyer's financing will fall through. No last-minute surprises.

Traditional Listing Timeline

Here's the more typical path with a traditional sale:

• Week 1–2: Prep your home (cleaning, repairs, staging), hire a photographer, and list the property.

• Week 3–8: Schedule showings, host open houses, and wait for offers.

• Week 9–10: Review offers, negotiate terms, and accept an offer.

• Week 11–16: Buyer secures financing (30–45 days), schedules inspections, orders an appraisal, and requests repairs.

• Week 17–20: Final walkthrough, sign closing documents, and complete the sale.

Even when things go smoothly, it's a long process. And if the buyer's financing falls through or the appraisal comes in low, you could be starting over.

The Money Side: What Are You Really Getting?

Here's where it gets real.

Cash buyers typically offer around 70% of your home's market value.[6] That might sound low, but it reflects the speed and convenience you're getting. You're selling as-is, with no repairs, no staging, and no months of carrying costs.

Traditional sales usually fetch closer to full market value.[1][2] That higher price comes with a trade-off, though. You're paying for repairs, staging, photography, agent commissions (typically 5–6%), and months of utilities, taxes, and maintenance while the house sits on the market.

The gap between the two options might not be as wide as it looks once you factor in all those costs.

When a Cash Offer Makes More Sense

A cash offer is a solid choice if:

• You need to move quickly (job relocation, divorce, foreclosure, etc.)

• Your house needs major repairs you can't afford or don't want to deal with

• You want to avoid the uncertainty of deals falling through

• You're tired of paying utilities, taxes, and maintenance on a property you're ready to leave behind

• You don't want the hassle of staging, showings, and open houses

Cash offers give you certainty and speed. You know exactly what you're getting and when you're getting it.[1][2]

When a Traditional Listing Makes More Sense

A traditional listing is the way to go if:

• You have time to wait for the right buyer

• Your home is in good condition or you're willing to invest in repairs

• You want to maximize your sale price

• You're not under financial pressure to sell quickly

• You're comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with traditional sales

If you can afford to wait and your house is market-ready, you'll likely walk away with more money.[1][2]

What About the Stress Factor?

Let's be honest, selling a house is stressful no matter which route you take. But the type of stress is different.

Cash sales eliminate a lot of the unknowns. You're not wondering if the buyer's financing will come through. You're not scrambling to fix things after an inspection. You're not keeping your house spotless for months of showings.

Traditional sales come with more moving parts. More people involved. More things that can go wrong. But if you're patient and your house shows well, that stress can pay off in a higher sale price.

Can You Do Both?

Here's something a lot of sellers don't realize: you're not locked into one option.

You can explore both. Get a cash offer to know your baseline, then list traditionally to see if you can get a better deal. If the traditional route drags on or you get tired of the process, you've got the cash offer as a backup.

Or, if you get a strong traditional offer right away, great. You didn't lose anything by exploring both options.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding

Before you commit to one path or the other, think through these questions:

• How quickly do you need to sell?

• Can you afford to make repairs or updates?

• How much equity do you have in your home?

• Are you comfortable with the uncertainty of a traditional sale?

• What are your monthly carrying costs (mortgage, taxes, utilities, insurance)?

• How important is maximizing your sale price vs. selling fast?

Your answers will tell you a lot about which option makes sense for your situation.

The Bottom Line

Cash offers are faster and more predictable. Traditional listings usually bring in more money but take longer and come with more uncertainty.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your timeline, your financial situation, and what you're willing to deal with.

If you're trying to figure out which route makes sense for you, let's talk. Call me at 860-985-4363 or visit melindatherealtor.com for a free consultation. Never too busy for you to be my #1 client.

FAQs

How quickly can I close with a cash offer in Connecticut?
Cash offers in Connecticut typically close in 7–14 days, with some buyers completing transactions in as little as 7–10 days.[1][4]

Do I need to make repairs if I accept a cash offer?
No. Cash buyers typically purchase homes as-is, meaning you don't need to fix anything before closing.[1]

Will I get less money with a cash offer?
Yes, cash buyers typically offer around 70% of your home's market value, but you save on repairs, staging, carrying costs, and agent commissions.[6]

How long does a traditional listing take in Connecticut?
Traditional sales in Connecticut typically take 3–6 months from listing to closing.[1][3]

Can a traditional sale fall through?
Yes. Traditional sales can fall through if the buyer's financing doesn't come through, the appraisal comes in low, or inspection issues arise.[1]

Which option is better for inherited property?
Cash offers are often better for inherited property, especially if the home needs work or if multiple heirs want a quick sale.

Can I explore both options at the same time?
Absolutely. Many sellers get a cash offer for comparison while also listing traditionally to see which route works best.

Sources

1. National Association of Realtors (NAR) – Home Selling Statistics
   https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics
   Median days on market, financing timelines, and traditional sale process benchmarks.

2. Zillow Research – Days on Market & Sale Timelines
   https://www.zillow.com/research/
   Market time, listing-to-close timelines, and pricing vs condition insights.

3. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – Cash Sales in U.S. Housing Market
   https://www.atlantafed.org/center-for-housing-and-policy
   Data on prevalence and characteristics of cash transactions vs financed sales.

4. Urban Institute – Investors & Cash Buyers in Housing Market
   https://www.urban.org/housing
   Typical investor pricing behavior and discount ranges for cash purchases.

5. Connecticut REALTORS® – State Market Reports
   https://www.ctrealtors.com/market-data/
   CT-specific days on market, sale timelines, and pricing context.