The number one fear I hear from Lakeville sellers is this: “What if this takes forever?”
Maybe you need to buy your next home before you can move. Maybe you have a job start date or school year you’re working around. Or maybe you just don’t want your life in limbo for months, not knowing when this is all going to be done.
It’s a completely valid concern — and you deserve a straight answer.
I’m Liz Sandwick, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty in Lakeville, MN. I’ve been selling homes in Minnesota since 2011, and my average time from list to pending is 23 days. Here’s exactly what that means — and what your full timeline actually looks like.
What “23 Days on Market” Actually Means
When I say my average is 23 days on market, I mean from the day your home goes live to the day we go fully pending — and that includes clearing inspection contingencies. This isn’t just an accepted offer sitting on the table. It’s a deal that has survived the inspection process and is on its way to closing.
That distinction matters. A lot of agents quote “days to offer” — which sounds faster but doesn’t tell you whether the deal actually held together. My 23-day average reflects real, closed-out pending status.
Your Full Timeline: Start to Close
Days on market is only one piece of the puzzle. Here’s the complete picture of what a Lakeville home sale looks like:
2–4 Weeks Before Listing: Prep Time
This is where the work happens that most sellers underestimate. We do a walkthrough, decide what to fix and what to leave alone, schedule professional photography, and build your marketing plan. Skipping or rushing this phase is the most common reason homes sit longer than they should.
Days on Market: List to Pending
For a well-priced, well-prepared Lakeville home, serious showings happen in the first seven days. That first week is your hottest window. Offers come in, we negotiate, go under contract, clear inspections, and move to fully pending status. That’s the 23-day average.
Under Contract to Closing: 30–45 Days
Once we’re pending, the clock moves to the closing timeline. This covers the appraisal (if the buyer is financing), title work, any final repairs agreed upon during inspection, and the closing walkthrough.
All in — from our first conversation to closing day — most Lakeville sellers are looking at 60 to 90 days total. Two to three months, with a clear plan the entire way.
What You Can Control — and What Speeds This Up
Here’s the part most sellers find surprising: the majority of what determines your timeline is within your control.
1. Pricing
This is the single biggest lever. Homes priced right from day one sell faster and for more money. Homes priced too high sit — and once a listing goes stale, buyers assume something is wrong even when there isn’t. We only get one launch. Getting the price right is everything.
2. Preparation
Homes that show well create more demand and shorter market times. Clean, decluttered, and professionally photographed homes attract more buyers in that critical first week. The prep work before day one is what separates a 7-day pending from a 70-day one.
3. Having a Plan for What Comes Next
Whether you need a simultaneous buy, a specific closing date, or a flexible move window — we build your timeline around your life from the very beginning. Sellers who know their next move before we list are almost always smoother and faster transactions.
What My Sellers Actually Experience
The sellers who have the least stressful transactions are the ones who start preparing before they feel completely ready. When there’s a plan in place before day one, the process doesn’t feel like it’s taking over — it feels manageable and predictable.
I’ve sold over 186 homes in the south metro. My list-to-sale ratio is 98% and my average time to pending is 23 days. That’s not luck — it’s a repeatable process built around keeping you in control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to sell a house in Lakeville MN?
Most Lakeville home sales take 60 to 90 days from first conversation to closing. The average days on market for a well-priced, well-prepared home is around 23 days to pending.
What is the average days on market in Lakeville MN?
Days on market varies by price point and season, but well-prepared homes in Lakeville’s core price ranges typically go pending within 7 to 30 days. Liz Sandwick’s personal average is 23 days from list to pending.
What slows down a home sale in Lakeville?
The two most common factors are overpricing and under-preparation. Homes that are priced too high lose momentum in the first week — the most critical window. Homes that aren’t properly prepared for showings attract fewer buyers and weaker offers.
How long does it take to close on a house after going under contract?
Typically 30 to 45 days from pending to closing, depending on the buyer’s loan type, appraisal timeline, and any inspection-related repairs.
Ready to Find Out What Your Timeline Looks Like?
If the timeline has been the thing holding you back from making a move, let’s fix that. I’ll put together a custom selling plan for your specific home — including a realistic timeline built around your situation — at no cost and no obligation.
Get started at LizSandwick.com or call me directly at 952-491-3685.
Liz Sandwick | REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Realty | Lakeville, MN