If you’re considering moving house, you might be wondering how long does it take to sell a house. Unfortunately the answer isn’t as simple as it might seem, as it depends on factors such as the type of house you’re selling, its location, the length of the property chain and the estate agent you choose to market your property. However, most property sales complete in between six weeks and six months.

From the moment you actually put your house on the market, we understand that you’re looking for a smooth and streamlined journey to your property being sold and independent estate agent Linda Stringer can help make this a reality. Whether you’re in a rush so you can purchase another property, you’re expecting a baby or you’re looking to relocate due to work or school, there are a whole host of reasons you might be feeling pushed for time.

A Two Part Process

Although it’s difficult to give an exact estimate on how long it would take to sell your property, we can give you a few averages and indications which will give you more of a clear idea of the timeline you could be faced with.

There are two parts to consider when it comes to selling a house. Firstly, you’ve got the time it takes to find a buyer. This is where you begin the process of selling your house and there are many stages that make up this part of the process. From initially getting your house valued, deciding on an asking price, putting your house on the market, arranging viewings and receiving offers, there are many areas which must be covered.

This is where choosing a knowledgeable estate agent really comes in. A good estate agent will ensure that your asking price is realistic, finding the perfect balance between getting you the best possible price for your house and ensuring that your property sells quickly. They’ll also know exactly how to market your house to attract a high number of viewings, so that buyers are bidding against each other for your property.

Once you’ve accepted an offer, you then begin the conveyancing process. Unfortunately, this is often the lengthiest part of the process, where you might feel like you’re waiting around a lot. How long the conveyancing process takes will depend on how many properties are in the chain, the complexity of the sales and the solicitors that you choose. This can be a particularly stressful time for many sellers, but with the right estate agent, the stress can be taken out of your hands, leaving you with the knowledge everything is being dealt with as efficiently as possible.

Average Time To Move House

So, how long should you expect to wait from putting your house on the market to moving day? Whilst there is a lot of variation depending on your unique circumstances, there are average timeframes for each stage of the process. In the table below, I’ve listed the average duration of each stage, giving you an idea of how long you should expect your house sale to take. However, it’s important to note that these are averages, and every case is different.

So, it’s easy to see that there is a lot of variation when it comes to how long it takes to move house. Whilst some property sales may go through in as little as 6 weeks, others can take 6 months or even longer to complete.

What Time Of Year Do Houses Sell Fastest?

Typically, a higher number of properties are added to the market during spring and early summer. This means that the property market is at its most active between March and June. In contrast, the market tends to be quieter during August, when people are on holiday, and over the Christmas period.

However, it’s all about finding the right buyer for your property, and they can come along at any time. So whether you choose to put your property on the market in March, August or December, it only takes one serious buyer to get your house sale moving.

What Can Delay A House Sale?

There are many situations which could unfortunately delay the sale of your house but by being aware of these, you can make sure you avoid them where possible. Right from the get go, an overpriced property is likely to linger on the market and be slow to receive viewings/offers. Buyers are keen to compare similar properties on the market to ensure they get the best property for the price they’re willing to pay, making it essential your guide price is fair if you’re hoping for a quick sale.

Selecting a committed estate agent and solicitor is also vital to help keep the sale moving as quickly as possible. Estate agents and solicitors who are over worked may not be as on the ball as you would hope, causing unwanted delays when you’re eager to push through a sale. To get the best results, be sure to keep in close contact with those involved in your house sale, allowing you to keep track of the progress.

Another factor which could impact the duration of your house sale is buyers pulling out which can be particularly disappointing. Although this situation is ultimately out of your hands, it’s useful to get to know your buyers as well as possible so you have a better indication of the situation. By being aware of a buyer’s individual circumstances, it may be possible to accept a similar offer from a buyer who is in a less complicated situation than another buyer, which can drastically alter a selling timeframe. Remember, the shorter the chain of the sale, the quicker you could be selling your property.

In terms of what you can do to help speed along the process, be prepared with all legal paperwork, guarantees and certificates and be sure to sign everything you receive immediately. As selling a house has so many components, each part must be completed without delay to allow the overall process to run like clockwork.

Selling A House With No Chain

If you’re fortunate enough to be in the position where your buyer isn’t selling a property and you’re not purchasing a property, it’s likely your sale will move much faster. For example, many vendors find that their chain-free house sale completes in as little as 6 – 8 weeks.

To Sum Up

Selling a house is a complex process that depends on many different factors. For this reason, it’s difficult to put an exact time on how long it takes to sell a house. If the sale is chain free, you could expect the sale to complete in as little as 6 – 8 weeks. However, for more complex cases, or for longer chains, the process of selling a house could take several months.

If you’re looking for a quick sale, the best thing you can do is choose an estate agent that is committed to driving your property sale forward to avoid any unnecessary delays. When you choose me to sell your property, I work closely with all estate agents and solicitors in the chain to push the sale forwards. I speak to solicitors on a weekly basis so that I can give you continuous updates on the progress of your sale and ensure that the ball is kept rolling. This can help to minimise the time that you’re left waiting.

If you’d like a no-obligation valuation on your property, or if you want to discuss ‘how long does it take to sell a house’ in more detail, give me a call on 07920 097175. I’m always happy to help!