How long does it take to sell a property?
You must distinguish two timelines: the time to find a buyer (highly variable depending on the price, the property and the local market, often from a few weeks to several months) and the time between the sale agreement and the final deed at the notary's office, generally two to three months.
Two timelines to distinguish
The total duration of a sale breaks down into two phases. The first, finding a buyer, depends above all on the price, the property's condition, its location and the tension of the local market. A properly valued property can sell in a few weeks; an overvalued property can stagnate for many months.
The second phase, between signing the sale agreement and the authenticated deed, is more predictable: it generally lasts two to three months, the time needed to clear the legal periods and obtain the necessary documents.
What happens between the sale agreement and the deed
- The cooling-off period of the non-professional buyer: 10 days from the day after the first presentation of the notified deed.
- The buyer obtaining the loan: the financing condition precedent generally allows several weeks to secure the credit offer.
- The notary's requests: clearing any municipal pre-emption right, mortgage register statement, planning and co-ownership documents.
- Gathering the missing documents, a frequent cause of extended timelines.
The factors that speed up (or slow down) the sale
The most powerful lever remains the price: aligned with the market, it quickly triggers viewings and offers. Conversely, a price set too high drives buyers away and lengthens the whole process.
The quality of presentation (photos, advertisement, home staging), a complete survey file from the outset, and responsiveness in providing documents to the notary significantly reduce timelines. A buyer who does not need a loan also shortens the final phase.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it take two to three months between the sale agreement and the deed?
This period allows the cooling-off right to be cleared, the buyer's financing to be obtained, the municipality to exercise or not any pre-emption right, and all documents to be gathered. The notary can only sign the final deed once these steps are completed.
Does a price set too high really lengthen the sale?
Yes, it is a frequent cause of a sale that drags on. An overvalued property generates few viewings and "ages" in the listings. It often ends up selling after several reductions, at a price lower than what good initial positioning would have allowed.
Can the timeline at the notary's office be shortened?
Partly. Providing a complete file (surveys, title, co-ownership documents) from the sale agreement and responding quickly to the notary's requests saves time. Some periods, however, remain incompressible, such as the 10-day cooling-off period and the loan condition.
Read next
- Code de la construction et de l'habitation, article L271-1 (délai de rétractation) (Légifrance)
- Service-Public.fr : compromis et promesse de vente
- Notaires de France : les étapes de la vente immobilière
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