How Long Does It Really Take to Sell a Home? Why Starting Early Matters
If you are planning to move house and wondering when the big moving day might be, it's helpful to understand the timescales so you can work backwards and time your market launch just right. This article will help you plan your move perfectly.
Selling a home is a major life decision that requires careful planning and coordination. Timing your move is crucial, not only for your own convenience but also to ensure your friends and family can lend a hand. Many homeowners aim to move during school holidays, making it easier to manage childcare and avoid disruptions to daily routines. Planning ahead helps you avoid clashes with major events or holidays, so your move goes as smoothly as possible.
Before diving into the details, let’s break down the typical home-selling timeline, the main factors that can speed up or slow down your sale, and why starting early often leads to the best results.
The Typical Home-Selling Timeline
Preparation (1–3 weeks)
This stage includes deep cleaning, decluttering, and finally tackling those lingering DIY projects. Presenting your property at its absolute best attracts more interest from potential buyers and can lead to higher offers. Investing time in preparation at the outset sets you up for a smoother, more successful sale.
Launch to the market (2–4 weeks)
Your estate agent will create compelling marketing materials for your property, such as professional photographs, floor plans, and video tours, ready for promotion across property portals and social media. High-quality online presentation greatly increases the number of potential buyers who book viewings and can boost both the quantity and value of offers you receive.
Marketing (1-6 months)
Your agent will promote your property through online advertising, social media, and their database of registered buyers to generate interest and schedule viewings. Finding the perfect buyer can happen quickly, or it might take several months. Patience is essential; avoid making firm plans until you have accepted an offer. To keep your listing appealing, refresh your photos or descriptions periodically to attract new buyers.
Negotiating Offers (2 weeks)
Receiving your first offer is always exciting, but it’s often lower than your asking price. Negotiation is part of the process. Most buyers start low, expecting some back-and-forth before settling on a final figure. Your estate agent will work to secure the best possible price for you, and this stage can take a couple of weeks as both sides reach an agreement.
Legal sale process (8-12 weeks)
Once a sale is agreed, both you and the buyer will instruct solicitors to manage the conveyancing process. The buyer’s solicitor will conduct ID checks, verify funds, carry out property and local area searches, and raise questions for you to answer. Meanwhile, your buyer will arrange their financing and book surveys. This phase can feel slow, with periods of little visible progress, but much is happening behind the scenes to ensure a smooth, legally sound transaction.
Exchange and Completion (typically 1–2 weeks after exchange)
When the solicitors have finalised all of their checks and have signed contracts from both you and your buyer on file, it is time to exchange contracts. This process will set the completion date and legally bind your buyer and you to the sale. At this point, if either party were to withdraw from the transaction, penalties would apply. It also means you can confirm your bookings with removal companies, as you have a definite completion date.
Selling a home is a complex, multi-step journey that often takes several months, and sometimes up to a year, from preparation to completion. It’s important to consider your ideal moving date early on, so you can plan backwards and launch your property at the right time. For example, if you ideally want to move during next year’s Easter holidays, you’ll likely need to start marketing your home around Easter this year.
Tips for Accelerating Your Sale
If speed is a priority, and you don’t have a year to move, there are ways to ensure that your home sells faster, but there will be sacrifices to make.
Price competitively based on a professional valuation. Properties listed at realistic prices tend to attract more interest and sell faster. The key is to balance achieving the best price with moving within your desired timeframe. Sometimes a slightly lower price leads to a quicker sale.
Ensure your home is clean, clutter-free, and visually appealing. First impressions matter, and well-presented properties attract more viewings and often receive stronger offers.
Use professional marketing, including high-quality photos and floorplans. Partner with an estate agent who excels at showcasing properties online—expert photography, engaging descriptions, and active social media promotion all help drive buyer interest.
Our team specialises in helping homeowners navigate the selling process efficiently. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation valuation and personalised guidance on listing your property at the right time.