The States Where Houses Sell the Fastest (and Where They Sit on the Market the Longest) – Michigan Ranks Tenth at 45.5 Days

Photo by Thirdman 

Article courtesy of CabinetSelect 

• Rhode Island houses sell fastest in the nation, with a median listing time of just 37 days, while Hawaiian homes sit on the market for 83 days – more than twice as long.
• Illinois homes are selling in just 39.5 days – the second-fastest in the country.
• More than 20 states now see properties sitting for more than two months, with Montana (82 days), Florida (80.5 days), and Louisiana (74 days) among the longest wait times after Hawaii (83 days).

Selling a house in America can be a sprint in some states – and a marathon in others. A new study from CabinetSelect shows just how big the gap is, with some homeowners closing deals in just over a month while others wait nearly three months.

The analysis, based on Realtor.com data covering the most recent 12-month period, found that several of the fastest-moving markets are clustered in the Northeast and Midwest – with Rhode Island leading the pack.

Top 10 states where homes sell fastest:

Rhode Island stands out as the fastest state to sell a home, with properties moving in just 37 days – nearly 21 days quicker than the U.S. median of 57.7 days. That’s also a small improvement on the 36.5-day pace from 2022-2023, putting the Ocean State firmly at the top of the list.

Illinois is next, with sellers closing deals in 39.5 days – more than 18 days faster than the national median of 57.7 days. That’s up slightly from 37.5 days in 2024, but the state remains one of the more active markets in the country.

Massachusetts comes third at 40 days – around 18 days ahead of the U.S. median. Homes in the Bay State took 37 days to sell in 2024, meaning properties are now moving slightly slower year on year.

Connecticut ranks fourth, with homes spending a median of 41 days on the market – almost 17 days faster than the national average, although that’s a slight uptick from 39 days in 2024.

New Jersey ranks fifth, with properties spending 41.5 days on the market – over 16 days quicker than the national average.. Although that’s an increase from 38.5 days in 2024, the Garden State remains firmly among the fastest housing markets nationwide.

Ohio and Maryland share sixth place, with homes in both states selling in 42.5 days – roughly 15 days faster than the national pace. That marks an increase from 39 days in Ohio and 38.5 days in Maryland in 2024, suggesting a slight cooling in both markets.

Wisconsin ranks seventh, with homes selling in 43.5 days – just over 14 days quicker than the U.S. figure. That compares to 39 days in 2024, suggesting a slightly longer selling period this year.

Homes in Virginia are selling in 44.5 days on average, with Minnesota close behind at 45 days – around 13 days faster than most of the country. Both states recorded a 42-day median in 2024, up slightly year over year.

At 45.5 days, Michigan just makes the top 10, staying well ahead of the national average by over 12 days. Selling times have edged up from 43.5 days in 2024, though homes are still moving at a relatively healthy pace.

Top 10 states where homes stay on the market the longest:

Hawaii ranks as the slowest market in the country, with homes taking a median of 83 days to sell – more than 25 days longer than the national median of 57.7 days. That’s a sharp increase from 70.5 days in 2024, marking one of the largest year-on-year slowdowns nationwide.

In Montana, homes are taking 82 days to sell – over three weeks slower than the national average and an increase from 74 days in 2024.

Florida is next, with properties now spending 80.5 days on the market, nearly three weeks longer than the U.S. average. Compared to 70 days in 2024, that’s a clear sign the market has cooled.

Louisiana places fourth, with homes taking 74 days to sell – over 16 days longer than the national median of 57.7 days and unchanged from 2024.

New Mexico ranks fifth at 72.5 days – roughly 15 days longer than the U.S. median of 57.7 days and up from 62.5 days in 2024.

Mississippi homes are sitting on the market for around 70 days, which is nearly two weeks slower than the U.S. average. Compared to 68.5 days in 2024, things have edged slightly slower, but not by a wide margin.

Oregon follows at 69.5 days, placing it nearly 12 days behind the U.S. average. Homes there took 61.5 days to sell in 2024, meaning properties are now lingering significantly longer on the market.

Vermont records a median of 69 days – more than 11 days slower than the national pace. That’s up sharply from 58 days in 2024, marking one of the larger slowdowns in the group.

In Wyoming, homes are taking 68.5 days to sell – around 11 days slower than the U.S. average. The figure was 69.5 days in 2024, so things have edged slightly in the right direction.

Alabama rounds out the top 10 slowest markets, with properties spending 67.5 days on the market – nearly 10 days slower than the national average. That compares with 60.5 days in 2024, reflecting a noticeable year-on-year increase.

A spokesperson at CabinetSelect commented on the findings: “You can really see the contrast in this data. In Rhode Island, homes are still moving at a healthy pace. But in states like Hawaii or Montana, sellers need a lot more patience.

“That gap reflects a broader cooling we’re seeing nationally, as buyers take more time and weigh their options more carefully.”

The spokesperson added that smart renovations can play a major role in speeding up a sale: “If a home feels dated in the kitchen or bathroom, buyers notice straight away. The good news is you don’t need a major renovation. A few smart changes – fresh paint, new handles, updated lighting – can instantly make the space feel more current.

“You don’t have to gut a property to get a return. In many cases, fresh paint, modern flooring, improved storage, and updated fittings are enough to boost both value and buyer confidence.”

Methodology:

The analysis uses Realtor.com data to track the median number of days homes spent on the market from January 2024 to December 2025, ranking states from the fastest- to the slowest-moving markets.

Complete rankings: