Why Some States Are Stuck in Slow Motion While Others Keep Moving
Think about it: when interest rates climbed and stayed elevated, a lot of folks who might have jumped into the market decided to wait. That hesitation, combined with more homes hitting the listings in certain regions, has turned what used to be quick sales into drawn-out processes. In the hottest spots during the pandemic boom, sellers could name their price and watch multiple offers roll in. Now? Not so much. The data shows a clear divide, with some states averaging close to three months before a home even goes pending.
What fascinates me most is how localized this has become. It’s not just a national trend—it’s regional, almost like different economies operating under the same roof. Places that saw massive influxes of people and rapid price jumps are now the ones cooling off the fastest. Meanwhile, steadier markets with tighter supply keep chugging along at a quicker pace. This unevenness makes strategizing a home sale feel more like chess than ever before.
The States Where Selling Feels Like an Eternity
Let’s start with the slowest movers, because these numbers really tell a story. Texas leads the pack with homes lingering around 100 days before going under contract. That’s a big jump from the days when everything flew off the shelves. Florida isn’t far behind at about 97 days, showing that the post-pandemic rush has definitely tapered off in these high-growth areas.
Louisiana comes in next at roughly 90 days, followed by Colorado and Arizona hovering in the high 80s. These aren’t isolated cases—there’s a pattern here involving Western and Southern states where inventory has built up and buyers are pickier. In my view, part of it comes down to affordability finally catching up with people. When homes cost what they do now, folks aren’t rushing in blindly anymore.
- Texas: Around 100 days—massive inventory buildup after years of rapid population growth.
- Florida: 97 days—cooling from boomtown status with more cautious out-of-state buyers.
- Louisiana: 90 days—economic factors and higher supply playing a role.
- Colorado: 88 days—mountain appeal still strong but prices pushing buyers away.
- Arizona: 86 days—similar story with desert markets seeing more competition among sellers.
Then you have states like Wyoming and Idaho at about 81 days, Oregon close at 80, and Utah plus Montana in the high 70s. These Mountain West areas used to be red-hot; now they’re feeling the pinch of higher prices and perhaps fewer remote workers relocating as aggressively. It’s a reminder that even desirable locations can shift when the economics change.
The housing market doesn’t move at one speed anymore—it’s become a patchwork of winners and laggards depending on local supply, demand, and buyer psychology.
— Real estate observer
Further down the list, several Southern states cluster in the 70-day range: Mississippi, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and South Carolina. These areas aren’t seeing the same dramatic slowdown as Texas or Florida, but they’re definitely not the quick-turn markets they once were. Affordability pressures hit hard here too, and economic uncertainty keeps buyers on the sidelines longer.
Where Homes Still Sell at a Decent Clip
On the flip side, some parts of the country haven’t lost their momentum. The Midwest and Northeast often show shorter timelines—think five to six weeks in places like Illinois, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Tighter inventory and steadier local demand keep things moving. It’s almost refreshing to see markets where sellers can still expect reasonable speed without massive price concessions.
This contrast highlights something important: the national average doesn’t tell the full story. While some states drag the numbers up with long listing periods, others pull them down. If you’re selling in a faster region, you might not feel the same pain as someone in a slower one. But even there, the overall caution in the market means pricing right from day one matters more than ever.
What’s Driving These Extended Timelines?
High mortgage rates are the obvious culprit— they’ve kept a lot of potential buyers on the bench. When borrowing costs stay elevated, monthly payments balloon, and suddenly that dream home feels out of reach. Add in general affordability strain, and you get buyers who browse longer, negotiate harder, and sometimes walk away entirely.
Inventory plays a huge role too. In states where building slowed or migration cooled, listings have piled up relative to demand. More choices mean buyers can be selective, which stretches out the process. I’ve seen this firsthand in conversations with friends in real estate—sellers who once got instant offers now face weeks of open houses with polite interest but no bites.
Then there’s buyer psychology. After years of feeling like they had to act fast or lose out, many are taking a breath. They’re asking more questions, demanding inspections, and waiting for the “perfect” deal. That shift alone adds days—or weeks—to the timeline.
- Elevated mortgage rates reducing buyer pool.
- Increased inventory in former hot markets.
- Greater buyer caution and selectivity.
- Regional economic factors affecting confidence.
- Pricing disconnects between seller expectations and market reality.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how this creates opportunities. In slower markets, patient buyers can negotiate better terms, snag price reductions, or find unique properties that rushed buyers overlooked. Sellers, meanwhile, need to get creative—staging, virtual tours, minor updates—to stand out.
Regional Breakdown: West vs. South vs. Midwest/Northeast
The West, particularly Mountain states, shows some of the longest times outside the big Texas-Florida duo. Places like Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana reflect how quickly sentiment can change when prices outpace wage growth. These areas drew crowds during remote work booms; now, with hybrid setups and higher costs, the influx has slowed.
The South tells a mixed story. While Texas and Florida dominate the slow list, other states like Georgia and South Carolina hover in the mid-70s. It’s not a total freeze, but definitely a downshift from peak frenzy. Economic uncertainty in some pockets keeps buyers hesitant.
Meanwhile, the Midwest and Northeast often clock in faster. Stronger local job markets, less dramatic price spikes in recent years, and persistent low inventory help. It’s a reminder that not every market followed the same pandemic trajectory.
| Region | Typical Days to Pending | Key Factors |
| West/Mountain | 80-90+ | Price corrections, inventory rise |
| South (select states) | 90-100 | Post-boom slowdown, affordability |
| Midwest/Northeast | 35-50 | Tighter supply, steady demand |
This table simplifies it, but you get the idea. The spread is real, and it affects everything from pricing strategy to emotional expectations.
What This Means for Sellers Right Now
If you’re in one of the slower states, don’t panic—but do adjust. Overpricing is the fastest way to watch your home sit. I’ve heard too many stories of sellers who waited for the “right” offer only to end up cutting the price more than if they’d started realistically. Staging matters, curb appeal counts, and sometimes small concessions like covering closing costs can tip the scales.
In faster markets, you still have leverage, but the rules have tightened. Buyers expect move-in ready, and any red flags can slow things down. Pricing competitively from the start often yields better results than hoping for a bidding war that may not materialize.
Across the board, transparency helps. Work with pros who know your local market inside out. They can spot trends before they hit the headlines and guide you through the current reality, not the one from 2021.
Looking Ahead: Signs of Change on the Horizon?
The market isn’t frozen forever. Some experts point to potential rate relief or inventory stabilization as ways things could pick up. But for now, the divide persists. Slower states may need more time to rebalance, while quicker ones could stay resilient if local economies hold strong.
What I find encouraging is the return to something closer to normal. No more insane bidding wars in every zip code, but also no total collapse. It’s balanced, thoughtful, and—dare I say—healthier in the long run. Buyers get time to decide, sellers learn to price realistically, and the market finds equilibrium.
So whether your home sells in 30 days or 100, the key is understanding where you stand. The U.S. housing landscape is diverse, and that’s both the challenge and the opportunity. Stay informed, stay flexible, and the right move will come.
