How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in the UK?

Selling a house can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you’re eager to sell your property, it’s natural to wonder how long the entire sale might take.

Keep in mind that the timeline for selling a house depends on various factors, including the current state of the property market in your area.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how long it typically takes to sell a house in the UK.

What is the Average Time to Sell a House in the UK?

According to Hometrack, the average time to sell a house in the UK (excluding London) decreased by nearly a week in 2021 compared to the previous year. It now takes about 44 days from listing a property to agreeing on a sale, down from 50 days in 2020. Houses generally sell faster than flats, with an average of 42 days for houses compared to 62 days for flats.

Once an offer is accepted, the paperwork and legal formalities begin, and the process of completing the sale typically takes between 4 to 6 months.

The table below outlines the average time taken for each stage of the selling process:

The process	The average time taken
From a new home listing to the offer being accepted	10-12 weeks
The conveyancing process	12 weeks
From the exchange of contracts to completion	Same day or up to 4 weeks
Total time from property listing to completion of the sale	4-6 months

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House from Offer to Completion?

On average, it takes about 12 weeks to go from an accepted offer to the completion of a house sale. However, this timeline can vary due to several factors, including how efficient the solicitors for both buyer and seller are how proactive the estate agent and how prepared the buyer is to move forward with the process.

What Factors Can Affect the Timeline?

The 12-week average is just that—an average. Each house sale is unique, and numerous factors can influence how long it takes to finalize a sale.

One of the biggest influences is the state of the property market in your area. If the market is slow, it can take longer to sell your home. Pricing is another key factor. If your property is overpriced, it may sit on the market longer due to fewer viewings and less interest.

Other factors that can affect the speed of the sale include:

Location of the property
Efficiency of the buyer’s and seller’s solicitors
Size and condition of the property
Property price
Condition of neighboring properties
Number of similar properties for sale in the area
Buyer’s readiness to begin the process
Whether the buyer needs a mortgage
If the buyer is also selling a property
Length of the property chain (the more links, the higher the chance of delays)
Time of year (e.g., holidays may cause delays)

What Could Delay a House Sale?

Even once an offer has been accepted and the property is ‘under contract,’ there’s no guarantee the sale will go through smoothly. The process of selling a home in the UK can be complex, with potential delays and setbacks along the way.

Sales contracts can fall through, particularly if issues are uncovered during inspections or survey reports. Mortgage applications may also be denied, causing further delays.

Another common complication is the property chain. If the buyer needs to sell their home first, any issues with their sale can affect your transaction. If one link in the chain breaks, it can disrupt the entire process.

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House with No Chain?

Selling a house without a chain generally speeds up the process. On average, it takes around 8 weeks from accepting an offer to completing the sale. Homes listed as no-chain often attract more interest from potential buyers.

Some sellers may choose to only accept offers from buyers who are not in a chain to expedite the process. However, this strategy can be counterproductive, as it may take longer to find such a buyer. Alternatively, selling to an investor is another option, as they are not dependent on selling another property first. If you’re involved in a chain, it can delay your sales by weeks or even months.

How Quickly Can You Sell a House?

The time it takes to sell a house varies, but there are several ways to speed up the process:

Consider Your Asking Price:Setting a reasonable asking price is one of the most effective ways to sell quickly. A competitive price attracts more viewers and potential offers. Research the sale prices of similar properties in your area to determine a realistic price, and be cautious of properties that have been on the market for a long time, as their prices may be too high.
Prepare Your Property:First impressions matter. Homes that are clean and well-maintained tend to sell faster than those in need of repairs. Buyers want to picture themselves living in the space, so ensure it’s clutter-free and tidy and that any necessary repairs have been completed. Simple home improvements, such as enhancing kerb appeal, can also make a big difference.
Market Your House Effectively:Targeting the right audience helps to market your property more effectively. For instance, if your home appeals to young families or professionals, highlight nearby amenities that suit their needs. High-quality photos are essential in attracting interest, so consider hiring a professional photographer. Timing is also important—if the market is slow, you might want to wait until conditions improve before selling.
Sell to a Certain Type of Buyer:Choosing the right type of buyer can speed up the sale. Buyers who are prepared, such as those with all necessary documents and a mortgage agreement in principle, can move the process along faster. Cash buyers are ideal, as they don’t need a loan and avoid the risk of mortgage rejection. First-time buyers are another option, as they aren’t part of a property chain, reducing the likelihood of delays.
Choose Your Estate Agent Wisely:A proactive estate agent can make a big difference in the speed of your sale. Look for an agent who will take the necessary steps to secure the sale from offer to completion. Edinburgh Letting Centre, a leading estate agent, offers extensive expertise and top-notch customer service. With decades of experience in the UK housing market, we provide a range of services to help sell your home, including:
1) Listing properties on all major portals and 40+ additional websites
2) Advertising on social media
3) Live viewing options for 24/7 booking
4) A fully manned live chat to answer buyer questions

Selling a property is a process that can be divided up into 4 stages.

Navigating the property selling process might seem complex, but it generally unfolds in four key stages. While the specifics can shift depending on the local market and the unique characteristics of your property, understanding a typical timeline can provide valuable clarity. Let’s break down the journey of selling your house,

Listing Your Property (1-3 Days) – This is the initial phase of preparing your property for sale and getting it officially listed on the market.
Marketing and Offer Stage (1-14 Weeks) – After listing, your property will be actively marketed to attract potential buyers. The time it takes to receive and accept an offer can vary. Once agreed, the estate agent will issue a Memorandum of Sale, confirming buyer and seller details.
Conveyancing and Finance (8-16 Weeks) – This crucial stage involves the legal work (conveyancing) and the buyer securing their mortgage or funds. The duration can fluctuate based on the buyer’s readiness.
Exchange and Completion (1-2 Weeks) – This final step covers the period between the formal exchange of contracts and the final completion of the sale, typically set within a week or two to suit both parties.

How do market factors affect house sale times?

Curious about what dictates how quickly a house finds its new owners? The reality is, the current pulse of the property market exerts a significant influence.

These market dynamics usually operate on a local level, shaped by a diverse array of elements. To illustrate, imagine a prominent tech company establishing a major campus in the vicinity; the demand for local housing would likely surge, leading to faster sales.

This chapter will explore how varying market climates, from a bustling seller’s market to a more subdued buyer’s market, impact the duration it takes to sell a home. We’ll also consider the broader effects of national real estate trends and pinpoint potential windows of opportunity for a swifter transaction.

How long does it take to list a property?

Here are a few options that follow the pattern of starting with the question, elaborating on the importance of the initial stage and agent selection, providing advice on choosing an agent, including the perspective on online vs. high street agents and multi-agency, and concluding with the expected timeframe for listing:

Curious about the initial steps in selling your home? The very first task involves getting your property listed for sale through an estate agent.

Securing a capable estate agent is particularly vital if you’re new to the selling process – and let’s be honest, for most of us, selling property is an infrequent event. The agent’s handling of viewings, client communication, and negotiation significantly influences how swiftly a satisfactory offer is secured.

When selecting an agent, prioritize those with a proven track record of selling properties similar to yours. Examine their current listings on platforms like Rightmove and Zoopla, paying attention to their photography and descriptions, and take the time to read client reviews.

Some sellers consider engaging multiple estate agents in a competitive arrangement known as ‘multi-agency’. However, be aware that multi-agency agreements typically involve higher commission fees, so carefully review contract terms regarding premiums.

Once you’ve chosen your estate agent, the process of photographing your property and getting it officially listed should ideally take just a couple of days. Significant delays at this stage could indicate potential issues, and you might want to consider exploring alternative agent options.