How Quickly Can You Sell a House in the UK?

If you’re thinking about putting your place on the market, you’re probably curious about how long it might take. 

Spoiler alert: there’s no exact timeline! It all depends on a few things, like the state of your property and how active the housing market is.

On average, though, selling a house in the UK can take anywhere from 16 to 22 weeks—that’s about 5 months, in line with what the government says. 

It could be faster or slower depending on where you live. And if you’re part of a chain of buyers and sellers, things might take a little longer.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step, from listing your home to that final, satisfying moment when the keys change hands.

We’ll cover how long it really takes to sell a house in the UK, and some tips to help speed things up if you’re eager to get moving.

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

The journey from listing your property to completing the sale can take a while, with different stages taking up different amounts of time. 

On average, the entire process takes between 16 and 22 weeks (that’s about 112 to 154 days), but let’s break it down a bit further.

• Listing to Offer Acceptance – Once your house is listed, it’s time to wait for an offer. The typical wait is around 8 to 10 weeks (56 to 70 days). According to Rightmove, the national average time for a sale to be agreed is about 60 days.
• Offer Acceptance to Completion – After you’ve accepted an offer, the next step is getting all the paperwork and legal issues sorted out. This part’s called the conveyancing process and can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks (56 to 84 days).

Home buying Process Stage	Estimated Time (Days)
Listing to Offer Acceptance	56 to 70
Offer Acceptance to Conveyancing	56 to 84
Survey and Valuation	7 to 14
Mortgage Approval	14 to 28
Exchange to Completion	7 to 28

So, from start to finish, selling a house could take up to five months—sometimes longer if unexpected hiccups pop up.

Where in the UK Do Homes Sell the Fastest?

Selling times can vary wildly depending on where you are in the UK. 

Some areas are hot property markets, while others can take a little more patience.

According to Rightmove, properties in Scotland tend to sell the fastest, with an average of 33 days from listing to offer acceptance. 

Consider checking Rightmove’s website for the latest insights. 

In particular, Carluke has proven to be a fast market, with homes typically finding buyers in around 15 days, based on recent data. Hot on its heels are Giffnock (16 days), Uddingston (17 days), and Renfrew (18 days).

In England, some areas also have relatively fast selling times. For example, homes in Whitehall in the South West take about 25 days to find a buyer, while Moston in the North West averages around 26 days.

How Does Selling Time Differ by Region?

The average time it takes to sell a home can vary significantly between different regions. Let’s take a closer look at some regional differences.

Region	Average Time to Sell (Days)
Scotland	33
London	63
East Midlands	67
Coastal Areas (e.g., Brixham, Skegness)	115-118

• Scotland: As we’ve mentioned, Scotland leads with the fastest selling times, averaging 33 days.
• London: On the other hand, London tends to take a bit longer, averaging 63 days.
• East Midlands: Properties here typically take around 67 days to sell.
• Coastal Areas: Coastal locations, including Brixham in Devon and Skegness in the East Midlands, generally have longer selling times, with averages of approximately 118 and 115 days, respectively. Coastal properties often require a niche buyer, which can explain the longer wait.

What Impacts How Fast a House Sells?

There are plenty of factors that can affect how quickly you’re able to sell a house. Here are some of the big ones:

• Property Pricing. Price your home right, and it’s far more likely to attract offers quickly. An overpriced property might sit on the market for months, whereas a competitively priced one could sell in no time.
• Condition of the Property. A well-maintained property that’s ready for the new owners to move straight in is naturally going to appeal to more buyers. If there’s a list of fixes needed, it could be a turn-off.
• Location and Demand. Some areas are simply more desirable than others. Homes in commuter towns, for example, can sell faster because buyers want to balance space with easy access to city amenities.
• Market Conditions. The state of the overall housing market plays a significant role. During a seller’s market, where there are more buyers than available properties, homes can sell much faster. Conversely, in a buyer’s market, when there are more properties than interested buyers, it may take longer to find a buyer.
• Seasonality. Believe it or not, the time of year can affect how fast you sell your home. Spring and early summer are typically the most active times for home sales, while the colder months, especially around the holidays, tend to be slower.
• Marketing Strategy. How you market your property is key. High-quality photos, well-crafted descriptions, and broad exposure through online platforms and estate agents can help attract more buyers quickly. Think of it like online dating—a good presentation makes all the difference!
• Legal Factors. Conveyancing can often be a bottleneck in the sale process. A proactive solicitor who’s on top of things can help ensure the sale goes through without unnecessary delays. If your solicitor drags their feet, it could slow everything down, so choose wisely.
• Flexibility in Negotiation. Flexibility can go a long way in speeding up the sale. Whether it’s being open to negotiating the price or accommodating the buyer’s preferred timeline, a bit of give and take can make the difference between a quick sale and a long wait.

Of course, knowing the factors that help can be a great advantage, but it’s just as crucial to prepare for the things that can go wrong.

Let’s discuss the common challenges that can affect the timeline of your house sale.

Common Challenges When Selling a House

Selling a home isn’t always straightforward. Various factors can throw a wrench in the timeline, and understanding these challenges can help you navigate them effectively.

Delays in Conveyancing

As discussed, conveyancing is a critical part of the sale, and having a good solicitor or conveyancer can make all the difference. 

Delays often occur if the solicitor is unresponsive, so picking a proactive and thorough professional is essential. 

Recommendations from friends or online reviews can help you find someone you can trust.

Broken Property Chains

A property chain occurs when multiple buyers and sellers are involved in linked transactions. 

If one part of the chain falls apart—perhaps because a buyer pulls out—it can cause significant delays or even collapse the entire chain. 

If this happens, working closely with your estate agent is crucial to finding another buyer swiftly.

Mortgage Delays

If a buyer’s mortgage agreement expires before the sale completes, they might need to reapply, which can significantly slow things down. 

Making sure your buyer has a current mortgage offer helps avoid this type of delay.

Survey Results

Most buyers will conduct a survey of the property, and if issues are found, they may ask for repairs or even a reduction in price. Addressing any potential problems in advance can help keep the sale on track.

How Can I Speed Up My Property Sale?

If you’re looking to sell your home quickly, there are a few smart moves you can make to speed things up. 

Laying the right groundwork and staying involved throughout the process can make all the difference in reducing the time it takes to find a buyer and close the deal.

Here’s how you can speed up the property sale:

• Set a Competitive Price. Setting the right price is important for attracting buyers quickly. Get valuations from multiple estate agents to gauge the fair market value, and consider setting a price that’s slightly lower if you want to generate more interest.
• Present the Property Well. First impressions matter, so ensure your home is looking its best for potential buyers. This might include tidying up, decluttering, or even staging the property to show off its best features.
• Be Flexible with Viewing Times. The more accessible your property is, the more potential buyers will be able to see it. Be open to evening or weekend viewings if necessary. Remember, the easier you make it for buyers to visit, the faster you’re likely to get those offers rolling in.
• Stay On Top of Communication. Maintaining regular communication with both your estate agent and solicitor is key. Weekly updates can help ensure there are no surprises, and everyone remains aligned. Being responsive and prompt with paperwork also keeps things moving.
• Work with a Proactive Estate Agent. Choose an agent who’s motivated and has a good track record in your area. A proactive agent will market your property effectively, reach out to potential buyers, and work to resolve any issues that could slow down the sale.
• Get Your Paperwork Ready Early. Having all the necessary documents ready in advance can speed up the process once an offer is made. Title deeds, warranties, energy performance certificates—having everything in order makes you look like a seller who means business, and that’s reassuring to buyers.
• Make Necessary Repairs. Buyers tend to shy away from properties that need a lot of work. Addressing minor repairs and ensuring everything is in good condition can make a big difference in how quickly your home sells.If you’re looking to move things along a bit faster, there are a few strategies you can try to ensure your home sells as quickly as possible.
• Consider Cash Buyers. If you’re in a real hurry, cash buyers can be a game changer. They don’t need to wait for mortgage approvals, which can speed things up dramatically. Of course, they might expect a bit of a discount, but if time is of the essence, it’s worth considering.
• Offer Incentives. Sweeten the deal by offering to cover a portion of the buyer’s closing costs or include some valuable fixtures and fittings. Little perks like this can tip the scales in your favour, making buyers more eager to close the deal quickly.

The Bottom Line

Selling a house in the UK takes time. It’s not a quick sprint—more like a steady pace with a few bumps along the way. 

Plenty of things can either speed up or slow down the process, so knowing what to expect and planning ahead can make things easier for you.

Making your home look its best and pricing it right are key to attracting buyers. 

Working with a proactive estate agent also keeps things moving. And don’t forget about the mortgage process—using a good mortgage broker can speed things up, helping you avoid delays and get to that final sale faster.

Need help finding the right mortgage broker? Get in touch with us, and we’ll match you with someone who can make your home-selling journey as smooth as possible.