Life is always one event away from major change. A job relocation, financial problems, divorce, new baby, family death, or other pressing motivation could mean you need to sell your house at a moment’s notice — let’s say, 5 days flat. Is this type of lightning-quick sale possible?

As of May 2020, properties took an average 26 days to sell, according to data from the National Association of Realtors — so if you’re able to get an offer in a fifth of that time, you’ll be overcoming some pretty steep odds. However, it’s not unheard of for properties to go under contract in 5 days or less. Some houses sell before they officially hit the market.