Selling a house can be a lengthy and frustrating process. If you’re looking to sell your house, you may be wondering how long it takes. It’s important to bear in mind that the length of time it takes to sell a house depends on several factors, including the local property market.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how long it takes to sell a house in the UK.
Table of Contents
What is the Average Time to Sell a House in the UK?
According to the Advisory website, it can take between 16 to 25 weeks for a property to go under after.
The table below shows the average time 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.
10-12 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?
On average, a house sale takes around twelve weeks to complete once an offer is accepted.
However, this timeframe can be influenced by several factors, such as the efficiency of the buyer and seller’s solicitors, the estate agent’s dedication to following up on the sale, and the readiness of the buyer to begin the conveyancing process.
What Factors Might Affect How Long It Takes?
It is essential to remember that the above timeline is based on average figures. Every house sale is different, and many factors can affect the time required to sell a house.
One major factor is whether it is a seller’s or buyer’s market. If interest rates are low, and there are a limited number of properties up for sale in the area, then buyers are likely to be fighting over a sensibly priced property.
Price it competitively at offers over and invite offers. This can help you sell your property quickly.
On the other hand, high-interest rates and over-priced property won’t generate many viewing requests.
The following factors also have an impact on the length of a house sale:
- The location, the size, the condition, the price,
- The state of neighbouring properties,
- The number of similar properties in the area,
- The buyer’s preparedness to start the buying process,
- Whether the buyer needs a loan,
- Whether the buyer is selling a house and the length of the chain.
- The time of year can cause delays, as many people may be away on vacation.
What Might Delay a House Sale?
Once an offer has been accepted, the home is ‘under contract’, though the sale has not been finalised. It is marked as sold subject to contract.
Unfortunately, even if the offer is accepted, there is no guarantee that the sale will be successful. Selling a house in the UK can be a difficult process, with many issues that can arise.
It is possible for the sale can fall through. Common causes of this are issues that arise during the inspection or with a surveyor’s report or if the mortgage application for the buyer is rejected.
When a buyer is involved in a house chain, the sale of your property depends on them selling theirs. If one of the links in the chain fails, the whole chain will collapse.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a House with No Chain?
If you do not have a chain sale, your house will likely sell quickly. On average, it takes around 18 weeks from the offer being accepted to the completion of the sale for a house to sell without a chain.
Sellers will likely receive more interest on their property if it is listed as a no-chain.
A seller may opt to only accept offers from buyers who are not in a chain to potentially speed up the sale after an offer has been accepted. However, this can sometimes be counterproductive, as it can take longer to find a buyer in the first place.
Another option is to sell your house to cash house buyers such as Property Saviour. Once you accept our offer, we can complete the purchase within 10 days or at your timescale.
How Quickly Can You Sell a House?
The length of time it takes to sell a house can vary greatly. Selling a house to a cash-buying company can take as little as 10 days, and you don’t need to move out. Call us on 0113 320 6700 to have a chat.
Consider Your Asking Price
Taking the time to consider your asking price and how low you would be willing to go is one of the most effective ways to sell your house quickly. A reasonable asking price will attract more potential buyers, resulting in more offers.
To come to a realistic sale price, research the recent sale prices of similar properties in the area. This will also help you identify properties that have been on the market for a long time and determine prices that may be unrealistic.
Present Your Property in Its Best Light
It is essential to show your property in its most favourable light in order to attract buyers and encourage offers. In the UK, the condition of the property is one of the most influential elements when selling a home.
Homes that are neat and in good condition sell more quickly than those that require repair. Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in the house, which is hard to do if the property is disorganised and not well maintained.
Ensure the property is spotless, any broken items are fixed, and there is no mess.
It may be a good idea to make home improvements to increase the appeal of the property. If you do not have the budget for a major refurbishment, you can still add value to your home on a budget. Improving kerb appeal is another way to draw the attention of buyers.
Market Your House Effectively
Considering who might be interested in purchasing your home can help you to market it more effectively. Is it an ideal option for young families or young professionals? Highlight the local amenities and features which would appeal to those interested in your property.
Don’t overlook the importance of good-quality photos in generating more interest in your property. You may want to consider hiring a professional photographer to take the shots.
It is also wise to consider present market conditions and the best time to sell a house. If the market is particularly slow, you may want to wait until the market improves before putting your house up for sale.
Sell to a Certain Type of Buyer
If you want to sell your home quickly, you may want to target a specific type of buyer. Finding a buyer who is ready to proceed can speed up the sale significantly.
Look for buyers who have everything in place, such as all necessary documents and a mortgage agreement in principle, and a solicitor who is willing to help. Cash buyers are also a good option as there is no chance of their loan being rejected.
Another way to help ensure a successful sale is to target first-time buyers who won’t be part of a property chain. This will help keep the process moving forward and increase the chances of a successful sale.
Choose Your Estate Agent Wisely
If you are looking to sell your house, it is best to find an estate agent who is proactive and will do whatever is necessary to get the sale over the line – from offer to completion.
The Quickest House Sale
If you’re wondering how quickly you can sell a house, it’s a straightforward equation. If you’re working with a cash buyer and there’s no chain involved, the sale of your UK home can be completed in just a few days. Experienced cash buyers can typically purchase your home in fourteen days or less.
When it comes to a cash buyer without experience, it may take a bit longer. If you’re dealing with a cash buyer who is chain-free but hasn’t bought a home this way before, you should plan for at least a month for the sale to go through.
Cash buyers are usually the fastest way to sell a house for a number of reasons, the main one being that they don’t have to carry out searches. It takes between fourteen days and a month for the sale to be completed, once the two parties have reached an agreement.
We Are Trusted Cash House Buyers
If you’re trying to sell a property quickly, Property Saviour team are your go-to experts.
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
