There is no denying that selling a house is often a frustratingly lengthy process. If you are keen to sell your house, you will understandably want to know how long it takes for a house sale to go through.
It is important to keep in mind that the length of time it takes to sell a house depends on many different factors, not least of which being how hot or cold the property market might be in the area where you are selling your house.
In this article we detail everything you need to know about how long it takes to sell a house in the UK.
What is the Average Time to Sell a House in the UK?
According toHometrack, the average time to sell a property has fallen by nearly a week in the UK (excluding London) in 2021 in comparison to the previous year. It nowtakes around 44 days from the date of listing a property to agreeing on a sale, down from around 50 days in 2020. Typically, houses sell faster than flats, taking on average 42 days to sell compared to 62 days for flats.
Once an offer has been accepted, paperwork and legal processes will need to be worked through before the house sale is completed. Theaverage time it takes to complete a house sale is between 4 and 6 months.
The table below details 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 conveyancingprocess | 12 weeks |
| From 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?
The average time it takes to sell a house from an offer being accepted to completion of the sale is around 12 weeks. However, the length of time is affected by a number ofelements, principally the efficiency of the buyer’s and seller’s solicitors, how proactive the estate agent is in chasing the sale and the preparedness of the buyer to begin the buying process.
What Factors Might Affect How Long It Takes?
It is important to keep in mind that the timeframe above is based on averages. Ultimately, notwo housesales are the same, and many different factors affect the length of time it takes to sell a house.
One of the most important factors is how hot or cold the market is in the area where you are selling your house. This will have a big impact on how long it takes to sell your house.
Also, it goes without saying that a property might sit on the market for a long time if it is offered over price. Overpriced properties attract less interest and fewer visitors, as many people will immediately disregard a property which is so far out of their budget.
The following factors also impact on how long it takes for a house sale to go through:
- The area where the property is located
- How efficient the buyer’s and seller’s solicitorsare
- The size of the property
- The property’s condition
- The price of the property
- The condition of neighbouring properties
- The number of similar properties in the area
- The preparedness of the buyer to begin the buying process
- Whether the buyer requires a mortgage
- Whether the buyer is also selling a house
- The length of the chain. The longer the chain in the house sale, the more likely it is for problems to arise and, therefore, delays
- The time of year. During certain times of the year, it is more likely that people will be away on holiday. This could lead to delays with the sale
What Might Delay a House Sale?
Once an offer has been accepted, the home is ‘under contract’. At this juncture, the sale of the house hasnot been completed.
Unfortunately, even if an offer has been accepted on your property, there is no guarantee that the house sale will go through. Indeed, the process of selling a home in the UK is often a frustrating one, with many setbacks and obstacles getting in the way of the completion of the sale.
It is a possibility that the sales contract may fall through too. This is particularly common if problems are found with the property during the inspection or with a surveyor’s report. Also, mortgage applications might be rejected before a sale is completed.
It is common for buyers to be involved in a house chain. In this situation, the sale of your property is dependent on the buyer selling their property. This means you will be involved in a property chain and if one link falls through, the whole chain will collapse.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a House with No Chain?
Generally, if you do not have a chain-sale, your house will sell quicker. On average, it takes around 8 weeks for a house to sell without a chain, from the offer being accepted to the completion of the sale. Sellers will almost certainly receive more interest on their property if it is listed asano-chain.
Also, a seller may choose to only sell to buyers who are not in a chain to potentially speed up the sale after an offer has been accepted. However, choosing to only accept offers from buyers who are not in a chain can actually be counterproductive because it can take longer to find a buyer in the first place.
Another option would be to only sell your house to an investor. Investors can agree on a sale with you and proceed to buy and will not be reliant on another sale before completing the purchase. If you’re stuck in a chain, it can add weeks or even months to your sale.
How Quickly Can You Sell a House?
As we have discussed, the length of time it takes to sell a house can vary considerably. Still, there are certain things which you can do which may speed up the sale.
Consider Your Asking Price
One of the most effective things you can do to sell your house quickly is to take the time to consider your asking price and how low you would be willing to go. With a reasonable asking price, you will attract more viewers which will lead to more offers.
Research the recent sale prices of similar properties in the area to come to an understanding of a realistic sale price. Also, see which properties have been on the market for a long time to gauge prices which might be unrealistic
Prepare Your Property in Its Best Light
It is important to present your property in its best possible light to attract buyers and encourage offers. In fact, one of the most influential factors when selling a home in the UK is the property’s condition.
Homes which are clean and in good condition generally sell much quicker than those which require work.Buyerswant to visualise themselves living in the house, which is difficult to do if the property is cluttered and poorly maintained.Ensure that the property is clean, anything that is broken has been fixed and that the property is free of clutter.
It is a good idea to considerhome improvementsto increase the appeal of the property. If you do not have the budget to make home improvements, you can stilladd value to your home on a budget.Improvingkerbappealis another way of increasing the interest of buyers.
Market Your House Effectively
Considering who might be interested in buying your house can help you to market the property more effectively. Is your property a good option for young families or perhaps young professionals? You can highlight the local amenities and features which would interest the people who would be interested in your property.
Don’t underestimate the value of high-quality photographs in attracting more interest in your property too. You may want to consider hiring a professional photographer to take the photos.
It is also prudent to consider current market conditions andwhen the best time to sell a housemight be. If the market is particularly slow, you might want to consider waiting until the market improves before putting your house up for sale.
Sell to a Certain Type of Buyer
You might be able tosell your house quickerif you only sell to a certain type of buyer. If you find a buyer who is prepared, it will almost certainly speed up the sales process.
If you choose to only sell to a prepared buyer,look for buyers who have everything in place to proceed with the sale, including:
- All the necessary documents in place
- A mortgage agreement in principle
- A solicitor who is suitably engaged
Also, cash buyers are more likely to be in a position to proceed with the house sale quickly. With no need to take out a loan, there is no chance of having a mortgage application rejected.
Another option could be to sell to a first-time buyer, who won’t be involved in a property chain. This will help to keep things moving in the right direction and give a greater chance of a successful sale of the property.
Choose Your Estate Agent Wisely
If you want to sell your house through an estate agent, it is important to choose an estate agent which is proactive and will do what is necessary to secure the house sale, from offer to completion.
Chancellors is a leading estate agent renowned for our unrivalled expertise, professionalism and outstanding customer service. With many decades of experience working in the UK housing market, we are perfectly placed to help you secure the sale of your property.
As part of oursellingservices, we:
- Advertise properties on all four of the major portals as well as an additional 40+ websites
- Advertise properties on social media
- Live viewing capabilities, allowing buyers to bookto view property online 24/7
- Fully-manned live chat means we can quickly answer any questionsbuyers might have about your property
For more information, pleasecontact ustoday.
FAQs
How long does house sale take 2022 UK? ›
On average you need from 6 to 12 weeks to search and find the right property, from 2 to 4 weeks to receive a mortgage offer, around 16 weeks for conveyancing including signing and exchanging contracts and then from 2 to 4 weeks to complete the sale, get the keys and move in to your lovely new home.
How long do most houses take to sell? ›Average Time To Sell A House
As of October 2021, the National Association of REALTORSⓇ (NAR) found that the average U.S. home stayed on the market for just 18 days. Statistics from Ellie Mae put the time on the market at an average of 57 days.
Once an offer has been accepted, paperwork and legal processes will need to be worked through before the house sale is completed. The average time it takes to complete a house sale is between 4 and 6 months.
Why does it take so long to sell a house in the UK? ›If there are a lot of properties involved in your chain it is likely to take longer to reach a completion date. If one buyer or seller in the chain runs into an issue, this can delay all of the transactions as the process can only go as quickly as the slowest link.
How long does it take to buy a house with no chain 2022? ›The average timescale from offer to completion for a property with no chain is around six weeks. However, this can be as little as four weeks or as long as twelve weeks, depending on the property.
What month do most houses sell in the UK? ›Spring is by far the most popular time to sell a home in the UK! New data from property website Rightmove (February 2022) reveals that March is the strongest month of the year for prospective sellers to come to market.
What month do homes sell the fastest? ›Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of May, June, and July versus the two slowest months of the year, October and December, according to a 2022 report by ATTOM Data Solutions.
What size house sells the fastest? ›But in reality, the larger the property, the longer it stays on the market. The places that sold the quickest—on average, 86 days—were between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet and priced at about $194,000.
What type of house sells the fastest? ›The price is right
Lower-priced starter homes are winning most buyers' hearts. Homes listed at between $200,000 and $250,000 were sold in 83 days on average, significantly faster than in any other price range. And of course the more expensive the home, the fewer buyers can afford it.
Reason 1: A large Backlog Of Housing Transactions
To put this into perspective, this is 44% more than at the same time in 2019. One of the key factors in this was the huge pent-up demand driven by COVID-19.
How long does it take from offer to completion 2022? ›
Completion normally takes place 1-3 months after you receive your mortgage offer. Again, this can vary depending on whether you're part of a chain, and how fast your solicitor is. 'Completion day' is often the day you can pick up the keys and move in.
How long do solicitors take to sell a house? ›The conveyancing process takes around 12-16 weeks.
It is possible to get it done in as little as a month, but various things commonly delay the process. Using a digital move enabled conveyancing solicitor can help to speed up the process.
- Instruct your conveyancer before you make an offer on a house. ...
- Arrange your mortgage as soon as possible. ...
- Look for online conveyancing and mortgage services. ...
- Instruct your conveyancer to order local searches ASAP. ...
- Arrange your survey. ...
- Get your paperwork in order.
The property market is remarkably stable for all house types at present, with there being a steady, gradual increase in property values from October 2021 to June 2022.
What makes a house sell quicker? ›One of the top factors in a quick sale is price. Your property needs to be priced correctly; however, this can often be difficult to determine. You may have an ideal price in mind but make sure this is in line with the price of similar properties in the area, so you don't inadvertently push potential buyers away.
Do no chain houses sell quicker? ›On paper, a chain free house is attractive to buyers because typically, the sale will proceed quicker. If your mortgage is approved, you may be able to buy a chain-free property in as little as 10 weeks from having your offer accepted to completion.
What takes the longest when buying a house? ›The conveyancer will run requests for information, look at survey findings and coordinate dates for the exchange of contracts. This can be the longest part of the process of buying a home. There will be lots of back and forth between your conveyancer and the seller's, as well as with the estate agent.
How long do solicitors take to exchange contracts? ›In most instances, exchange of contracts will usually take place anywhere between one to four weeks prior to completion date. It is, however, possible to exchange contracts and complete on the same day, but it's not for the faint of heart.
Will UK house prices Drop 2023? ›Base case forecasts -- which heavily influence rates -- are more measured, though Lloyds Banking Group Plc still predicts a 7.9% fall in house prices next year. Barclays Plc and HSBC Holdings Plc are more bullish, both predicting growth in UK property prices in 2023.
Is now a good time to buy a house Martin Lewis 2022? ›Martin Lewis has issued a fresh warning to home buyers as rates are expected to rise 6% in 2023. The Money Saving Expert founder has advised that first time buyers should not be buying a house right now unless they are prepared and plan to live in the home for the long term future.
Why do house sales fall through UK? ›
The most common reason for a house sale falling through is a change of heart or circumstance, closely followed by a break in the chain and mortgage problems.
What should you not fix when selling a house? ›Fixing cosmetic damage
Sure, peeling paint, a weathered back door and scuffed floors may make things look a little run-down, but if you are looking to save some cash on repairs and renovations, you'll rather want the money to be put to good use.
- Step Back and Plan Ahead. Take a good look at every room. ...
- Move Out the Clutter. ...
- Dig Deep in the Kitchen. ...
- Put Extra Shine in Bathrooms. ...
- Refresh Carpets and Rugs. ...
- Clean From Ceiling to Floor. ...
- Open Up the Windows. ...
- Head Down to the Basement.
- 5 Signs the Home You're Trying to Buy Is Overpriced. By Candace Davison. ...
- The Price Per Square Foot Doesn't Factor in the Cost of Renovations. ...
- There's No Build-Out Potential. ...
- it Keeps Flipping From On The Market To Pending And Back. ...
- It's Got a Few Unsexy Replacements Coming Up. ...
- You Keep Coming Back to the Curb Appeal.
"Generally, going with neutral colors like shades of white, beige, taupe, and grays lead to a faster sale," she shares. "Neutral colors are also more appealing to potential buyers because many want the creative freedom of a blank canvas to add their personal touches to when looking for a new place to call home.
Do empty houses sell better? ›Studies have shown that empty homes in high-cost real estate markets like San Jose sell for under 1% less than staged houses. Since you probably won't make the money you spend on staging back, it's better to leave your home empty.
What color door sells a house? ›In Zillow's survey, a black front door raked in the highest offer price. On average, the prospective buyers said they'd pay $6,449 more for a home that had this bold, statement-making color.
Where do houses sell fastest UK? ›Dartford, Redditch, Test Valley and Gloucester are the fastest moving property markets in the UK, according to Zoopla. The property portal found that homes listed for sale in these areas take just 14 days to sell. On a regional basis, the South West and the West Midlands have the fastest moving housing markets in 2022.
What makes houses hard to sell? ›Factors that make a home unsellable "are the ones that cannot be changed: location, low ceilings, difficult floor plan that cannot be easily modified, poor architecture," Robin Kencel of The Robin Kencel Group at Compass in Connecticut, who sells homes between $500,000 and $28 million, told Business Insider.
What is the shortest time to sell a house? ›- Most members of the public expect their homes to go under offer within 4-6 weeks. ...
- In hot markets, it would be highly unusual for a house not to go under offer within 60 days (8 weeks / 2 months). ...
- In cold markets it usually take longer to find a buyer.
How long does it take to buy a house with no chain 2022 UK? ›
If there is no chain involved in the buying process, you can normally expect to complete within approximately three months.
How long does it take after 2022 to exchange? ›Exchange of contracts can be moved towards once the buyer and their house repayments lender are happy with the outcome of the searches. Generally, it takes 3 to 6 weeks for the searches to be returned to the conveyancer and then it can take a few weeks for the conveyancer to create the report.
Will there be a drop in house prices in 2022? ›Interest rate predictions
Based on this data, Capital Economics has forecast house prices to rise throughout 2022, before falling by 5% in 2023.
The date of completion is one that is agreed by both parties prior to exchange, commonly one or two weeks later. It is the date on which full payment is made to the seller, ownership transfers to the buyer and moving day takes place.
How long after survey is completion? ›Property Survey
It takes between 2 and 3 weeks for a house survey to be carried out and to receive the results.
It can take 1-3 weeks to move between the searches and the exchange of contracts. However, this can vary as it depends on how long it takes for the different bodies to respond. Ideally, your solicitor will begin the searches as soon as instructed.
Can a house sale go through in 6 weeks? ›You could say the home-buying process is as long as a piece of string – it could be anything from six weeks (exceptionally quick), to six months (not unusual) or even longer. But it can help you to understand which are the most time-consuming parts of the process, so that it doesn't drag on more than necessary.
Why do sellers solicitors take so long? ›Slow Buyers Or Sellers – Sometimes it's the buyers or sellers holding up the process (deliberately or otherwise) by not providing information or signing contracts promptly. Overworked Solicitors – If a solicitor has too many clients to handle, they may take longer to conduct the work that's required.
Why are sellers solicitors taking so long? ›The most common thing that tends to hold up conveyancing is the buyer, seller or solicitor being slow to respond to enquiries. Other common reasons conveyancing is so slow are: Issues with the property title. Problems revealed by the building survey.
Can you sell a house in 7 days? ›Can you sell a house in 7 Days? Yes. If you want to sell your house faster than the average time it takes on the open market, you must be ready to explore alternatives. You can sell your house in 7 days using trusted quick house sale companies that are ready to buy your house for cash.
How often should you chase your solicitor? ›
You're paying them a significant sum, they're working for you. Chase them if necessary! I chase every day/check in ask if any problems that way they keep moving if you don't chase you end up at the bottom of the to do list. I went with chasing every 48 hours but we didn't have a huge pressure on timescale.
Why do solicitors ignore you? ›If we find that a person has acted or may have acted dishonestly in some way, we may refuse to accept an application they make to us, such as to become a solicitor or to manage or own a firm.
How long does house sale take 2022 UK? ›On average you need from 6 to 12 weeks to search and find the right property, from 2 to 4 weeks to receive a mortgage offer, around 16 weeks for conveyancing including signing and exchanging contracts and then from 2 to 4 weeks to complete the sale, get the keys and move in to your lovely new home.
Should I sell my house now UK 2022? ›The sustained buyer demand and a shortage of housing inventory fuels the property market. You can take advantage of a higher demand to sell you home at a good price especially where bidding wars are common. Rising mortgage rates also serves as an indication why you should sell your home now.
What's going to happen with house prices in 2022? ›Expecting a 3.9% increase in average house prices during 2022, as quoted in the Sunday Times, 5th December 2021. Expecting a 3.5% increase in average house prices during 2022, as quoted in the Sunday Times, 5th December 2021.
What style of house sells the most? ›Colonial. Colonial-style homes have the highest resale factor when all other elements are equal. These two-story homes that often have a boxlike appearance are popular because of the amount of functional living space that they often have. Many homeowners also prefer their minimalistic design.
How do I get my house ready to sell in a week? ›- Understand Your Home's Value. Your first step should be to determine what your home is actually worth. ...
- Find The Right Listing Agent. ...
- Depersonalize And Declutter Your Space. ...
- Make Minor Repairs And Updates. ...
- Touch Up Your Home's Exterior. ...
- Get Rid Of Odors.
The modern-style house has other features that make it sell faster: sprinkler systems, drought-resistant landscaping, rattan, and mid-century style designs. A home with these top features all sells faster.
› blog › fastest-way-to-sell-a-... ›The Fastest Way to Sell a House in 2022
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10 Secrets to Selling Your House Fast in a Slow Market
According to the latest data from Rightmove, the average completion time is currently 150 days.
How long does it take to buy a house with no chain 2022 UK? ›
If there is no chain involved in the buying process, you can normally expect to complete within approximately three months.
How long does it take after 2022 to exchange? ›Exchange of contracts can be moved towards once the buyer and their house repayments lender are happy with the outcome of the searches. Generally, it takes 3 to 6 weeks for the searches to be returned to the conveyancer and then it can take a few weeks for the conveyancer to create the report.
How long does it take to move house 2022? ›From the time a home is marked sale agreed, it currently takes 150 days on average to reach that all-important completion day. But that's 50 days longer than during the same period in 2019.
Who decides the completion date? ›The date of completion is one that is agreed by both parties prior to exchange, commonly one or two weeks later. It is the date on which full payment is made to the seller, ownership transfers to the buyer and moving day takes place.
Is it a good time to sell a house 2022? ›The property market is remarkably stable for all house types at present, with there being a steady, gradual increase in property values from October 2021 to June 2022.
How long after survey is completion? ›Property Survey
It takes between 2 and 3 weeks for a house survey to be carried out and to receive the results.
On paper, a chain free house is attractive to buyers because typically, the sale will proceed quicker. If your mortgage is approved, you may be able to buy a chain-free property in as little as 10 weeks from having your offer accepted to completion.
What takes the longest when buying a house? ›The conveyancer will run requests for information, look at survey findings and coordinate dates for the exchange of contracts. This can be the longest part of the process of buying a home. There will be lots of back and forth between your conveyancer and the seller's, as well as with the estate agent.
How long do solicitors take to exchange contracts? ›In most instances, exchange of contracts will usually take place anywhere between one to four weeks prior to completion date. It is, however, possible to exchange contracts and complete on the same day, but it's not for the faint of heart.
Why do solicitors take so long? ›Your solicitor will be sending out for searches, dealing with paperwork, liasing with the buyer/seller's solicitor and your mortgage lender, as well as a range of other important tasks. With so many conveyancing tasks to complete, solicitors can often be very slow.
How long do solicitors searches take? ›
As a rough guide, searches typically take around two to three weeks to complete, but remember that their results may prompt your solicitor to make further enquiries.
How long after exchange do searches return? ›It can take 1-3 weeks to move between the searches and the exchange of contracts. However, this can vary as it depends on how long it takes for the different bodies to respond. Ideally, your solicitor will begin the searches as soon as instructed.
How long does it take from offer to completion UK? ›The average time to get from an accepted offer to legal completion in the UK is 11 weeks. This comes from a study conducted by the advice and support website, The Advisory. However, this timescale can vary due to a variety of factors, often falling somewhere between 11-21 weeks.
How long does it take to move house once an offer is accepted? ›On average, it usually takes between six to 13 weeks (although currently this can be up to 16 weeks) but this is very much reliant on the speed at which your conveyancing solicitor, your local authority and other parties involved (including yourself) handle paperwork and requests that come in.
How long after signing contracts do you complete UK? ›Your solicitor will discuss dates for completion with you once your contracts have been exchanged. Usually, there's a period of one to three weeks between exchange and completion, but this may be longer depending on the size of your chain.