Selling a house can be daunting, filled with numerous steps and potential hurdles. According to Rightmove, at the moment it takes around 60 days to secure a buyer for your property. If you’re considering putting your property on the market in the UK, understanding the typical house-selling process can help you prepare better and set realistic expectations.

Listing your property (1-2 Weeks)

The journey begins with listing your property. This involves:

• Choosing an estate agent: Finding a reputable estate agent can take a few days to a week. It’s essential to compare different agents, their fees, and their marketing strategies.
• Property valuation: Your chosen agent will conduct a valuation to set a competitive price.
• Preparing your home: Taking professional photos can take another week. Ensuring your home is presentable can significantly impact buyer interest.

Marketing and viewings (4-8 Weeks)

Once listed, your property will be marketed across various platforms, including online property portals, social media, and in some cases, local newspapers. During this period prospective buyers will start to schedule viewings. The number of viewings can vary widely, and on average, it may take about 4-8 weeks to receive an offer.

Receiving and accepting an offer (1-2 Weeks)

After receiving offers, it’s time to negotiate. This stage involves:

• Offer consideration: Reviewing offers, negotiating terms, and possibly dealing with counteroffers. This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
• Accepting an offer: Once you accept an offer, the buyer may need to arrange a survey and mortgage approval, which also influences the timeline.

Conveyancing process

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership. The steps involved include:

• Solicitor searches: Your solicitor will perform various searches to check for any issues with the property.
• Draft contracts: Both parties’ solicitors will draft and agree on the contract terms.
• Surveys and inspections: The buyer’s lender may require a survey, which can add time if any issues are discovered.
• Exchange of contracts: Once everything is in order, contracts are exchanged, making the sale legally binding.

Completion (1-2 Weeks)

Completion is when the property officially changes hands. Exchange of contracts and completion can take place on the same day and whilst we prefer to have at least a week between exchange of contracts and completion, it can be less.

Total time from listing to completion

Combining all stages, selling a house in England and Wales typically takes between 14 and 24 weeks, roughly 3 to 6 months. This timeline can vary based on market conditions, the property’s location, and other factors.

Several factors can influence how quickly your house sells, including but not limited to:

• Market conditions: A seller’s market, where demand exceeds supply, can speed up the process. Conversely, a buyer’s market can slow it down.
• Property type and condition: Well-maintained properties in desirable areas tend to sell faster.
• Pricing strategy: Correctly pricing your property is crucial. Overpricing can deter buyers, while underpricing might result in a quicker sale but at a lower return.
• Seasonality: Spring and early summer are traditionally the best times to sell a house, as more buyers are actively looking during these periods.
• Buyer financing: Delays can occur if the buyer has trouble securing financing.

If you have any questions or need assistance with selling your property, feel free to reach out to our experts who can provide personalised advice and support: