How long will it really take to sell your home?
What is the average time to sell a house?
The average UK sale takes 5-9 months when selling on the open market with an estate agent. There are other methods to sell a house quicker such as to a cash buyer or auction.
But don’t worry.
I’ve helped hundreds of homeowners sell much faster than average. Most sellers feel shocked when they learn the true timeline.
This guide reveals exactly how long your sale might take. You’ll learn what slows sales down. I’ll show you proven ways to sell faster.
Plus, discover how to avoid common delays.
Understanding Average Selling Timelines
I’ve helped thousands of people sell their homes since 2015. The timeline can vary across different UK regions and the time of year you sell. However, on average it take over 6 months to sell a home with an estate agent.
Most houses in the south take longer to sell than up north. I find properties in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds move quite quickly especially in recent years. It’s mainly due to demand and the lower value of properties in these areas.
To sell your house fast in these current market conditions, I recommend following this proven approach:
- Price your property correctly from day one. I’ve seen overpriced homes sit for months without offers.
- Get your paperwork ready before listing. This saves weeks later.
- Choose the right estate agent for your area. Local knowledge matters enormously.
Making Your Sale Move Faster
I always tell my clients to prepare their home properly. Clean windows make a huge difference. But find out what not to fix when selling your home here.
Small improvements can speed up your sale significantly.
Fresh paint works wonders. I’ve seen dated properties transformed in just a weekend.
My experience shows that flexible viewings attract more buyers. I suggest making your home available evenings and weekends. And be ready to move quickly when you get an offer.
Remember that selling times vary throughout the year.
Spring usually brings more buyers to the market. Winter sales often take longer in my experience.
Stay patient but proactive during your sale. I know waiting can feel frustrating so keep in regular contact with your estate agent.
Your property’s condition affects its selling speed greatly. I recommend fixing any obvious problems before listing.
Ways to Sell Your Property
Here are the three main options your have to sell your property, showing the difference in speed between each option:
Estate Agents
The traditional route requires patience and investment:
- Average sale time: 6-9 months
- 1 in 3 transactions falls through
- Success depends on local market conditions & buyers can pull out
- You’ll face several costs:
- Commission fees (up to 3%)
- Conveyancing fees (up to £3,000)
- Potential home staging expenses
- Certificate renewal if needed (i.e. EPC certificate)
Property Buyers Today
When speed is your priority:
- Completion in as little as 7 days
- No chain complications
- Clear benefits:
- No estate agent fees
- Legal fees covered
- No viewings or negotiations
- Guaranteed completion date
- Trade-off: Expect up to 85% of market value (note- this can be similar to other options after fees and mortgage payments)
Good cash property buying firms (like Property Buyers Today) have funds available and make it hands off for you.
Property Auction
Going under the hammer offers fast, certain sales:
- Timeline: 3-4 months
- Exchange happens immediately when hammer falls
- Key considerations:
- Risk of selling for lower than you may think
- Allow 4-8 weeks until auction day
- Allow 28 days to complete purchase
- Entry fees apply (up to £1,000)
- Auction house commission (up to 6%)
- More specialised knowledge required
Key Factors Affecting Sale Duration
When selling your home, timing matters more than ever. Market conditions and local factors play crucial roles in sale duration.
Let’s explore the key elements that affect how quickly you can sell your property.
Property Market Conditions
The current state of the property market shapes selling timelines significantly.
Strong markets often lead to faster sales at better prices. Buyers tend to move quickly when competition is high. Working with a property valuation expert helps you understand current conditions.
Location Impact Assessment
Your property’s location heavily influences how fast it will sell. Good schools and transport links attract more buyers. Areas with high demand typically see faster sales.
Some locations maintain strong appeal regardless of market changes.
Housing Supply and Demand
Local supply and demand affect your selling timeline directly.
Limited housing stock often leads to quicker sales. High demand areas typically see faster completions. Understanding your local market helps set realistic timeframes.
Interest Rate Influences
Current interest rates shape buyer behaviour and selling speed. Lower rates often encourage more potential buyers. Higher rates might slow down the selling process.
Market activity often shifts with rate changes.
Property Condition Importance
Well-maintained homes typically sell faster than neglected ones.
Quick repairs can speed up your sale significantly. Even tenanted properties sell better when maintained properly.
Seasonal Market Variations
Different seasons bring varying levels of buyer interest for the best time to sell your property.
Spring often sees increased property market activity. Summer can bring more viewings and faster sales. Winter months might require more strategic marketing approaches.
The Complete Conveyancing Timeline
I’ve managed hundreds of property sales through conveyancing. Every step matters in getting things right.
How long it takes to sell a house varies greatly.
And everyone knows that legal work often causes delays.
The first stage involves checking property ownership details. I always recommend gathering these documents early:
- Your property’s title deeds from Land Registry
- Recent utility bills showing your address
- Building regulations certificates for any major work
- Proof of identity and current address
Key Timeline Points
I typically see searches take two to three weeks.
But local councils affect timing.
Your solicitor will check for any legal issues. I’ve found this usually takes around ten days. Most buyers need their mortgage offer before exchange. I advise clients to stay patient here.
The exchange process moves quite quickly. I usually see completion follow within two weeks. Remember that delays can happen at any point and I always tell clients to stay flexible.
Keep pushing your solicitor for updates weekly. This helps prevent unnecessary holdups.
Have your moving plans ready before completion day so booking removals well in advance.
Stay organised with all correspondence and paperwork. Missing documents can slow things down considerably. I recommend checking everything twice.
Make sure you are ready to sign papers quickly when needed as it helps speed the solicitors up!
Common Causes of Sales Delays
Understanding potential delays helps you avoid common property sale pitfalls.
Being prepared for these challenges can help speed up your sale process. Let’s explore the main factors that might slow down your property sale.
Property Chain Complications
Chains often cause the biggest delays in property sales.
Each link in the chain can affect your timeline. Broken chains might force you to start again. Being chain-free makes selling much simpler.
Survey Report Issues
Survey findings can create unexpected selling hurdles. Bad surveys might lead to price negotiations. Quick fixes can help avoid survey problems.
Address known issues before listing your property.
Mortgage Application Delays
Lending decisions can slow down your sale significantly. Buyers often face strict mortgage criteria today. Your sale depends on buyer financing approval.
Clear communication helps track mortgage progress.
Conveyancing Search Holdups
Legal searches sometimes take longer than expected.
Local authority delays affect completion times. Different areas have varying search times. Understanding local timeframes helps manage expectations.
Leasehold Property Challenges
Leasehold sales often need extra legal work.
Short leases can cause buyer concerns. Lease extensions might delay your sale. Early lease reviews prevent later problems.
Contract Negotiation Periods
Negotiations can extend your selling timeline considerably. Both parties must agree on all terms. Legal teams need time to review changes.
Setting clear deadlines helps manage negotiations.
Chain-Free Sales Advantages
Cash house buyers offer the quickest solution. These sales complete in weeks or even within days.
But first-time buyers bring unique advantages to sellers:
- They’re often mortgage-ready before making offers
- Most can move to your timeline
- They bring fresh enthusiasm to viewings
- Their solicitors typically work faster
Making Quick Sales Happen
I’ve seen auctions work well for certain properties.
You’ll know your sale date upfront.
Professional investors move quickly with purchases. I regularly complete these in 14 days. However, there is a bit more work you need to put in before going to an auction and it can mean you sell your property for less than you’d like.
Cash buyers skip the lengthy mortgage process. I find this saves about months of dragging the process out.
Your solicitor can work faster without chains. And if you are chain-free it attracts more potential buyers. I see higher interest in these properties.
Keep your paperwork organised and ready. I always prepare everything before listing.
Professional Support Impact
Online estate agents can work well for some sellers vs traditional estate agents.
But your choice of solicitor also makes a huge difference. I suggest finding someone who:
- Responds to emails within 24 hours
- Has experience with your property type
- Provides regular weekly updates
- Works proactively to solve problems
Making Smart Professional Choices
Always check estate agent track records first as local knowledge proves invaluable.
Your mortgage lender’s speed affects everything else. So try speaking with several banks and lenders to compare options.
Choose conveyancers who communicate clearly and quickly. I’ve seen poor communication cause delays.
If you do go down the property auction route you need specialist legal preparation. I suggest using experienced auction solicitors.
Remember that cheapest isn’t always best value. I’ve seen budget services cause costly delays.
Accelerating Your House Sale
I’ve found certain strategies consistently speed up sales. Smart preparation makes all the difference.
Selling a house at auction can be surprisingly quick. But there is more to it than most people think. I personally still use auctions regularly but I wouldn’t advise it for most residential sellers.
Your EPC rating can affect buyer interest. I suggest making improvements before listing:
- Update your lighting to LED bulbs
- Check your loft insulation thickness
- Fix any draughty windows
- Service your boiler professionally
Quick Sale Preparation
I always advise decluttering before photos happen. Clean spaces sell faster. And professional photos make a massive difference to viewings.
Your property’s kerb appeal matters enormously.
Focus on quick, high-impact improvements first. Fresh paint works wonders.
Create a digital property information pack early and make your home available for evening viewings. There’s more interest from working buyers.
Price competitively from day one as overpriced homes sit unsold for months.
Also consider modern auction methods for faster sales.
Stage your property to highlight its potential because there are usually faster sales with styled homes.
Want A Quicker Sale? Choose Property Buyers Today
My team has streamlined every step of selling. We cut typical delays dramatically.
I personally ensure our buying process stays simple:
Speed
Most house sales take months, but we can buy your property in as little as 7 days.
This quick process is perfect if you need to move soon or want to avoid being stuck in a long chain of buyers and sellers. We have the cash on hand so don’t need to wait for mortgages or a chain to collapse.
Guaranteed Sale
Did you know 1 in 3 sales fall through on the open market?
We know how frustrating it is to get 6 months into a process and have a buyer pull out.
When we give you the final price for your house, that’s the amount you’ll get. Guaranteed!
No Costs
You won’t face any costs with us.
We handle all the expenses involved in buying your property, including legal fees and surveys. You get cash in your bank when the sale is complete, and there are no surprise estate agent commissions to worry about.
No Stress Or Hassle
Our team supports you through the whole selling process.
We keep you updated about what’s happening and answer any questions quickly. You’ll always understand what’s going on with your sale and what happens next.
Free Property Valuation
Our property experts will value your house at no cost to you.
They look carefully at your property and check local market prices to give you an accurate figure. This professional service comes with no obligations.
No Viewings Required
Forget about cleaning and tidying for viewings.
We don’t need multiple visits or open houses to make our offer. This means no strangers walking through your home, and no disruption to your daily life.
All Properties Welcome
Whether your house needs work or is in perfect condition, we’ll buy it.
We have experience with all types of properties and conditions. This means you can sell your house to us no matter what state it’s in.
Professional Legal Service
Our expert team manages all the legal requirements for you.
We work with experienced property lawyers who make sure everything runs smoothly, and put your property at the top of their list. This gives you peace of mind that your sale is being handled properly from start to finish.
