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

July 14, 2025

Wondering how long it takes to sell a house in the UK in 2025? While every property sale is different, there is no denying that selling a house is often a frustratingly lengthy process. However, understanding typical timelines, and what affects them, can help you plan, avoid delays, and secure a smooth sale.

It’s important to note that the length of time it takes to sell a house depends on many factors, including the local and current property market, the condition of the house and the area you’re selling your house.

In this article we detail everything you need to know about how long it takes to sell a house in the UK.

In this updated 2025 guide, Chancellors outlines how long it typically takes to sell a home, what factors affect sale times, and what steps you can take to speed up your property sale.

What is the Average Time to Sell a House in the UK?

TLDR: On average, it takes 185-205 days to sell a house in the UK from listing to completion in 2025, but this can vary significantly by region and property type.

According to Zoopla, the total average time to sell a property in the UK takes 185 days, including from the date of listing a property to agreeing on a sale. On average however, ‘properties in the UK go under offer within 38 days’, though this varies depending on the type of property you’re selling, and where you’re selling.

Typically, two-bed terraces sell faster than larger detached properties, with the two-bed terrace going on offer within 27 days and detached 4-bedroom properties going under offer in 40 days.

Once an offer has been accepted, paperwork and legal processes will need to be worked through before the house sale is completed. The average time it takes to complete a house sale is between 4 and 6 months, although sellers who are well-prepared can often see completion timelines significantly reduced.

Recent data however from TwentyEA shows:

National average: 205 days from listing to completion

Fastest region: North East – 177 days

Slowest region: Inner London – 222 days

Scotland: Shortest average sale time at 145 days

The Stages of The Selling Process & How Long They Take:

Understanding the property selling process, from listing to completion can help a great deal of stress, avoid delays, and set realistic expectations. Whilst the average time to sell a property may take anywhere from 4 to 6 months, consider there are many factors to consider which may make this process shorter or in some cases longer.

The length of time is affected by several elements, such as the efficiency of the buyer’s and seller’s solicitors, how proactive the estate agent is in chasing the sale and the preparedness of the buyer to begin the buying process.

Here’s a breakdown of the property selling process and how long each stage typically takes.

The process	The average time taken
From listing the property	1-3 days
From receiving an offer and to being accepted	10-12 weeks
Selling a house with no chain	8 weeks
The conveyancing process	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 and exchange of keys	4-6 months, although often shorter than the national average when you work with a proactive agent.

Listing the Property (1-3 days)

The initial step of selling your property, including getting it valued, photographed, and published across property portals like Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket, and of course the Chancellor’s website. A good estate agent will also prepare relevant marketing materials, look to arrange an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), and ensure all legal documents are ready.

From Receiving an Offer to Accepting (10–12 Weeks)

This stage can vary depending on tactors such as market conditions, asking price, the property’s condition, and even poor photography and video walkthroughs. During this stage viewings will be conducted, you’ll negotiate offers and potentially consider buyers in different financial positions (e.g. cash buyers, first time-buyers, mortgage-dependant buyers, etc).

Other key factors influencing time could include:

Whether the buyer is in a chain

Buyer pre-approval or mortgage in principle

Surveys and property condition

Local market activity

The Conveyancing Process (Approx. 12 Weeks)

The conveyancing stage is the legal part of the transaction. Both the buyer’s and seller’s solicitors or conveyancers will:

Conduct property searches

Review contracts and raise enquiries where needed

Agree on fixtures and fittings

Handle mortgage lender requirements

Delays can occur though, and this can normally happen for the following reasons:

Incomplete paperwork

Buyer waiting on mortgage approvals

Exchange of Contracts to Completion (Same Day - 4 Weeks)

Once the contracts are exchanged, the sale then becomes legally binding, and a completion date is set. Now, depending on the chain (if there is one) or the buyer’s and seller’s circumstances, this could be relatively straightforward and quick, or take several weeks.

Throughout this time the following takes place:

Final funds are arranged

The buyer’s deposit is transferred

Removal companies and final inspections are scheduled

You will need to vacate the property by the agreed completion date, ensuring you have appropriate accommodation, removals, and other important factors organised in advance.

Completion (Final Day – 1-2 weeks)

This is the day the ownership of the property legally transfers to the buyer. Funds clear, keys are handed over, and your sale is finalised.

If you’re also buying: This could be part of a longer chain, so multiple completions may happen on the same day, making coordination key. A good estate agent will stay on top of this ensuring all parties are kept informed on a regular basis, keeping stress down and communication to a high standard.

Thinking about selling your property? Book your free home valuation today with Chancellors.

What Affects How Long It Takes to Sell a House?

It is important to keep in mind that the timeframe above is based on averages. Ultimately, no two-house sales are the same, and there are many different factors that affect the length of time it takes to sell a house.

The following factors impact on how long it takes for a house sale to go through:

The area where the property is located

How efficient the buyer’s and seller’s solicitors are

The size of the property

The property’s condition

The price of the property

The condition of neighbouring properties

The number of similar properties in the area

The preparedness of the buyer to begin the buying process

Whether the buyer requires a mortgage

Whether the buyer is also selling a house

The length of the chain. The longer the chain in the house sale, the more likely it is for problems to arise and, therefore, delays

The time of year. During certain times of the year, it is more likely that people will be away on holiday. This could lead to delays with the sale

A property may also sit on the market for a longer period if it is overpriced. Overpriced properties tend to attract less interest and fewer visitors as many people may immediately disregard a property if they feel it is out of their budget.

A good estate agent will work with you to provide suggestions to avoid cases like this. This may simply be starting out at a lower price you’re happy with but listing the property as ‘offers over’ or ‘offers in the region of’, ensuring this is then open to a wider range of potential buyers.

What Might Delay a House Sale in 2025?

Even once you’ve accepted an offer on your home, a property sale in the UK is still far from guaranteed as the sale of the house has not been completed.

It is estimated that around 25% of agree property sales fall through before completion, with several factors contributing to delays or even derailing the process entirely.

Some of the reasons property delays happen can include:

Survey and Valuation Issues: If a buyer’s property survey reveals structural issues, damp, or Japanese knotweed, they may renegotiate on the cost sale of the property or pull out entirely. Similarly, if the property is valued below the agreed price, the lender may refuse the mortgage or revise the loan offer.

Mortgage Delays or Rejections: If a buyer’s mortgage approval takes longer than expected, or in some cases rejected, the entire transaction stalls.

Conveyancing Bottlenecks: Solicitor delays are one of the biggest culprits. Whether it’s missing documents, slow searches, or unresponsive legal teams, conveyancing often adds weeks to the timeline. This is why it’s crucial to find a reputable solicitor that has incredible communication skills. Working with a well-established estate agents like Chancellors can also help with providing experienced and reputable solicitors.

Breakdowns in the Property Chain: If your buyer is relying on the sale of their own property to proceed, any disruption in that chain can affect your transaction. The longer the chain is, the greater the risk of selling.

Unprepared Buyers: First-time buyers may not have a solicitor or mortgage agreement in principle in place, which can slow things down from the outset.

Title or Legal Issues: Unregistered land, restrictive covenants, leasehold complications, or planning disputes can all drag out the entire legal process as well.

The process of selling a home in the UK is often a frustrating one, with many setbacks and obstacles getting in the way of the completion of the sale. Choosing the right estate agents can make a huge difference. At Chancellors, we don’t just market your home. We proactively manage the entire sales process, chasing solicitors on your behalf, and importantly because we’ve done this thousands of times, we’re experts are pre-empting any potential problems before they affect your property sale.

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House with No Chain?

TLDR: A chain-free property typically completes in 6-8 weeks, significantly faster than chain-dependent sales. Buyers are more likely to prioritise chain-free homes due to reduced risk and faster timescales.

If you’re selling a property that isn’t part of chain, the sale of your house will be quicker. The average time from offer to completion in a chain-free transaction is typically around 6-8 weeks, compared to 12+ weeks in chain-linked sales.

Selling a chain-free property will receive more interest than a property in chain. This is more appealing to buyers who want a quicker, less stressful process. A seller may choose to only sell to buyers who are not in a chain to speed up the sale after an offer have been accepted. However, choosing to only accept offers from buyers who are not in a chain can be counterproductive because it can take longer to find a buyer in the first place.

Another option would be to only sell your house to an investor. Investors can agree on a sale with you and proceed to buy and will not be reliant on another sale before completing the purchase. If you’re stuck in a chain, it can add weeks or even months to your sale.

How to Sell Your House Faster in 2025

If you’re planning to sell your home in 2025, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure a smooth and speedy sale, particularly in a competitive or uncertain market. While the average house in the UK can take anywhere from 4-6 months, there are several proven strategies you can use to reduce how long the property stays on the market and avoid any unnecessary delays. At Chancellors, we work closely with motivated buyers, help to streamline the legal processes, and keep the momentum going throughout, helping many of our clients achieve faster sales than market averages.

Below, we outline expert tips for speeding up the sale of your property and improving buyer appeal, all based on out decades of experience supporting thousands of property sellers across the UK.

Consider Your Asking Price

One of the most effective ways to sell your house quickly is to set the right asking price and looking at the minimum offer you’d accept. Overpriced properties tend to sit on the market longer, leading to reduced interest, fewer viewings, and potentially large price drops later down the line. With a reasonable asking price, you will attract more viewers which will lead to more offers.

Research the recent sale prices of similar properties in the area to come to an understanding of a realistic sale price. Also, see which properties have been on the market for a long time to gauge prices which might be unrealistic

Prepare Your Property for Maximum Appeal

Presentation matters! A very clean, well-maintained and uncluttered properties allow potential buyers to visualise themselves living in the house, which is difficult to do otherwise. Ensure that the property is clean, anything that is broken has been fixed and that the property is free of clutter, and that is smells good.

It is important to present your property in its best possible light to attract buyers and encourage offers. In fact, one of the most influential factors when selling a home in the UK is the property’s condition.

It is a good idea to consider home improvements to increase the appeal of the property. If you do not have the budget to make home improvements, you can still add value to your home on a budget.

Improving kerb appeal is another way of increasing the interest of buyers. Even small touches can add perceived value and generate faster offers, especially for first-time buyers, young families, and professional couples seeking a move-in ready home.

Market Your House Effectively

Considering who might be interested in buying your house can help you to market the property more effectively. Is your property a good option for young families or perhaps young professionals? You can highlight the local amenities and features which would interest the people who would be interested in your property.

Don’t underestimate the value of high-quality photographs in attracting more interest in your property too. You may want to consider hiring a professional photographer to take the photos, however a great estate agents will have this covered already.

In a digital-first housing market, your marketing strategy can make or break how quickly you sell. Eye-catching photography and well-optimised listings will help your property stand out across the UK’s most visited property portals.

It is also prudent to consider current market conditions and when the best time to sell a house might be. If the market is particularly slow, you might want to consider waiting until the market improves before putting your house up for sale.

At Chancellors, we market your property across Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket, PrimeLocation, and 40+ partner websites, ensuring maximum visibility.

Sell to a Certain Type of Buyer

Some buyers are ready to proceed much faster than others, so you may want to consider selling your home to a certain type of buyer. Choosing a prepared, chain-free, or cash buyer can dramatically reduce the time from offer to completion.

If you choose to only sell to a prepared buyer, look for buyers who have everything in place to proceed with the sale, including:

All the necessary documents in place

A mortgage agreement in principle

A solicitor who is suitably engaged

Also, cash buyers are more likely to be able to proceed with the house sale quickly. With no need to take out a loan, there is no chance of having a mortgage application rejected.

Another option could be to sell to a first-time buyer, who won’t be involved in a property chain. This will help to keep things moving in the right direction and give a greater chance of a successful sale of the property.

Choose a Proactive, Trusted Estate Agent

If you want to sell your house through an estate agent, it is important to choose an estate agent which is proactive and will do what is necessary to secure the house sale, from offer to completion.

Chancellors is a leading estate agent renowned for our unrivalled expertise, professionalism and outstanding customer service. With many decades of experience working in the UK housing market, we are perfectly placed to help you secure the sale of your property.

As part of our selling services, we: