How long does a house sale take UK sellers like you? If you are eager to purchase your dream house, move closer to work, school or family, escape the burden of costly maintenance associated with an inherited property… or myriad other reasons… the answer is oftentimes, ‘Much too long!’

We will take a look at a more fact-based answer – and learn about an effective way to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a house sale.

House Sales UK: A Timeline

When you are trying to find answers online regarding ‘time to sell’ statistics, it can be somewhat misleading. Often, these figures are based on the time it takes to find a buyer or to accept an offer. While this information is quite useful, it does not give you the whole picture, if you will. A more complete answer takes into consideration every step of the process, from the very first day of marketing all the way through to completion. This, of course, extends the time frame.

We are talking about averages; how long a house sale takes in the UK depends on a variety of factors, including the house itself and the market. In general, though, expect that the process will take about 4.2 months. In a ‘hot’ market, this can be reduced to about 3.7. In a ‘cold’ market, you will be closer to 6 months. Again, it could be longer if there are issues, if deals fall through, if buyers turn out not to have adequate financing, if significant issues are discovered during a property survey and on and on.

A house sale involves a multitude of steps, each of which has a bearing on the length of the overall process. These steps include:

  • Marketing the home. You will list it, likely with a real estate agent or broker. They then begin to move it through their network and channels to put it in front of suitable buyers.
  • It takes an average of 10 viewings (9 in a hot market and 11 in a cold market) to sell a house.
  • Offer acceptance. Typically, this occurs between 1 and 4.5 weeks into the process – but again, that will vary, sometimes significantly.
  • Searches, legal inquiries, surveys. Here is why you cannot rely on standard ‘time to sell’ estimates, as they tend to extend only until you have an offer. This leg of the journey, so to speak, can take up to 10 weeks to complete. There are myriad legalities with which to contend.
  • Negotiation and contracts. At this stage, you will be negotiating price and working with the buyer and their solicitor to develop the contract. At this point, the buyer can still back out of a purchase and a deal can fall through subject to the results of valuations and surveys. In that case, it can feel as if you are back at square one.
  • Exchange of contracts. You are one step closer! This may take up to two weeks.
  • It is – finally – over.

How Long Does it Take for a House Sale to Go Through? | Good Move™

Again, and we cannot emphasise this strongly enough, any number of factors can cause delays. As mentioned, a buyer may put in an offer that you accept. But, for example, as they finalise their mortgage, they realise they were not approved for the proper amount. They must pull out. Or a survey reveals issues with the property and they revise or withdraw their offer completely. You must then go back to a secondary offer, if there is one, or back to yet more viewings to find a new one that meets your needs.

How to Streamline the House Buying Process

Fortunately, for those who want to accelerate the process in the UK, there are cash house buyers who can move with exceptional speed and efficiency.

GoodMove, for example, is the number one regulated property buyer in the Quick House Sale industry. Our experienced team can reduce the time it takes to sell from 4 – 6 months (or even longer) to as few as 10 days. Yes, that is from initial contact with us through completion. Within 24 hours, you will receive an initial offer. From there valuations and surveys are arranged with utmost speed. You are welcome to review any and all reports. Should you accept our offer, contingent upon these reports, then we accelerate towards completion.

How long does a house sale take UK sellers like you? With GoodMove, you can begin counting down the days. Connect with our team today.