How Long Does Buying a Home Take in San Diego?

The timeline to buy a home in San Diego varies, but most buyers can expect the process to take anywhere from 30 to 90 days once they begin making offers. The overall journey depends on factors like financing, competition in your desired neighborhood, and how quickly you find the right property.

In a competitive market, some buyers may find their home in weeks, while others spend months searching for the right fit. With expert guidance from a top San Diego Realtor like Melina Rissone, the process becomes more streamlined, helping you move into your new home with less stress.

HOME BUYING TIMELINE

Step 1: Preparing to Buy

Before touring San Diego homes, preparation is key. Buyers who start with a pre-approval letter from a lender have a more concrete understanding of their budget, and they can make stronger offers when the right property appears. Pre-approval can take just a few days, but it can save weeks of uncertainty later in the process.

For those relocating to San Diego, this stage often includes virtual consultations, budget planning, and identifying preferred neighborhoods. From coastal communities like Point Loma to urban hubs like North Park, each area offers different price points and lifestyles. Melina Rissone helps buyers match their priorities with neighborhoods that fit both budget and goals.

Step 2: Searching for the Right Home

The home search can last weeks or months depending on your needs and the competition. In 2025, San Diego real estate remains highly sought after, with median home prices around $930,000 and homes in popular areas like South Park and University City selling quickly.

If you’re flexible, you may find the right fit in just a few tours. But if you have specific criteria in mind such as walkability, a large yard, or proximity to top-rated schools, the process can take longer. It’s important to make separate lists of your “must haves” and your “nice to haves” in order to get a clearer picture of your needs. Melina knows how to listen and filter these options carefully to help reduce wasted time and keep the search focused.

Step 3: Making an Offer

Once you find the right San Diego home, the offer process moves quickly. Most sellers expect offers within days of listing, especially in competitive neighborhoods. A strong offer includes not only price but also terms like financing, contingencies, and closing timeline.

Melina Rissone’s expertise ensures your offer is both competitive and realistic. By analyzing market data and seller priorities, she helps buyers present offers that stand out without overextending. This guidance can be the difference between securing your dream home or losing out in a bidding war.

Step 4: Escrow and Closing

After your offer is accepted, the escrow process generally takes 30 to 45 days in San Diego. This period includes inspections, appraisal, loan approval, and final walkthrough. Delays can occur if issues arise during inspection or financing, but with a proactive agent coordinating each step, most escrows close on time.

For buyers relocating to San Diego, escrow is also the window to coordinate moving logistics and finalize transition plans. Having a clear roadmap makes this stage smoother and less stressful.

Local Insight: San Diego Market Conditions

San Diego’s real estate market offers both challenges and opportunities in 2025. While demand is steady, inventory has increased slightly, giving buyers more choices compared to the tight supply of past years. Coastal areas like La Jolla remain highly competitive, while neighborhoods such as Clairemont and Serra Mesa offer quicker opportunities for well-prepared buyers.

Understanding these neighborhood-level dynamics helps you set realistic expectations for how long your purchase may take. A knowledgeable Realtor like Melina will help ensure you don’t waste time chasing homes that aren’t the right fit or that are priced beyond their value.

Working with a Top San Diego Realtor

Buying a home takes a lot more than just searching online and writing an offer. It’s a process that requires planning, patience, and strategy. Melina Rissone uses her knowledge of San Diego real estate to provide buyers with the tools, data, and confidence to move through each stage successfully.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or relocating to San Diego, her guidance shortens the learning curve, prevents avoidable delays, and helps you secure a home that truly fits your needs. With her local expertise, you’ll understand the timeline clearly and know exactly what to expect from start to finish.

Conclusion

So, How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home in San Diego?

On average, most buyers can complete the process in about 30 to 90 days once they’re actively searching, though timelines vary depending on preparation, competition, and financing. But critically, with the right Realtor by your side, the process is smoother, less stressful, and often faster.

Ready to start your San Diego home search? Contact Melina Rissone today for a personalized strategy that matches your goals and timeline.

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Melina Rissone

Having sold properties for more than 20 years and earning various prestigious awards throughout the course of her career, Melina Rissone has more than earned her reputation as one of San Diego's most skilled and trustworthy real estate brokers selling homes and luxury condominiums. Her loyal clientele would share that Melina brings structure and planning to chaos. She specializes in supporting her clients and their referrals; families and individuals going through divorce and seniors and active adults planning their moves and financial decisions during their retirement years.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing certified.

Certified Senior Advisor by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors
RCS-D Designation, a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce.
SRES Certification through NAR is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification.
Melina is bilingual in English and German.
Recognized as the Top 4% of all real estate brokers in San Diego County in 2021 and the Top 3% of Coldwell Banker International.
Coldwell Banker Presidents Elite Award.
Recognize as the Top 2% of Coldwell Banker West in 2024.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing Certified.

Melina is on point, extremely resourceful and well connected. She has a very versatile knowledgebase so was able to help guide us in many areas I was not even expecting from an agent. I've referred her to several friends who all reported great experiences. She takes her role in representing her client very seriously so its not like some kind of half time gig thing. She gets it done.

-Dan C.