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How long does it take to sell a house from start to completion?

Posted 5/06/2024 by Alex Moore
Categories: Selling
Moving house

We understand that sellers are eager to get their property sold for a good price, but patience is key when selling a property.

That's why having a good understanding of the selling timeline is important.

What is the average time it takes to sell a property?

Selling a property can take some time. Firstly, you need to find out what the value of your property is. If you overprice your property it'll likely be on the market for longer, so listing your home for an accurate price is important.

We offer a free valuation so that you can find out how much your property could be worth. This will give you an idea of how much you'll have for your next home.

If you decide to sell with us, we'll get your property listed on the market. Then it just needs to find the right buyer.

According to Rightmove, in April it took a property 62 days on the market to secure a buyer. However, this can vary based on location and the size of your property.

As soon as you accept an offer, you can move into the conveyancing process to exchange the property to the new owner. Conveyancing normally takes around 12 weeks.

We have a carefully selected panel of property lawyers, solicitors and conveyancing firms to help you through the conveyancing process. You can find out more here.

Unless you've found a cash buyer, you'll also need to wait for your buyer to secure a mortgage from a mortgage lender, which could extend the selling process by several weeks.

Once this is all completed your property will have been sold. We estimate the entire selling process from start to completion date will take around 3-4 months.

This is just an estimate as the actual time it'll take your property to sell will vary. Uncomplicated sales, such as properties with no onward chain, can be sold quicker whereas other factors, such as leasehold properties, can lead to longer conveyancing times. 

The sales experts in your local Your Move branch will be able to give you a more exact estimate of how long the selling process will take.

How to make a quick sale

Selling your home is a process that needs to be thorough to protect both you the seller and any prospective buyer.

Therefore it's unlikely you'd be able to make a sale overnight and cover all the legal and paperwork that needs to be done to legitimise the sale.

How long your property could take to sell also depends on the current market conditions, as house prices and buyer demand have varied in recent years.

However, there are steps you can take to make the process quicker.

Selling with a trusted estate agent

An estate agency will take care of the selling process for you, reducing the burden of effort on yourself and putting your property in the hands of professional salespeople.

A trusted estate agent, like Your Move, will offer you professional marketing and photography to make sure your property makes the best first impression on potential buyers.

We will create a premium listing for your property on the market-leading property portal Rightmove.

To discuss your selling options with your local experts, find your nearest branch here.

Preparing your home for sale now

Your online listing will require photos to show potential buyers what your home looks like. Having a well-presented property will entice more buyers.

Doing some cleaning and staging now would mean taking pleasing photos of your home will be easier when the time comes.

This also applies to viewings. To find out how to make your property look more appealing to buyers, read our article here.

Sell your property in just 56 days

Selling your property by the modern method of auction will help speed up the selling process.

Your property will be listed for a set period, typically 30 days, in which buyers have the chance to bid on your property.

Once the period is over, your property is reserved for the highest bidder and they have to exchange contracts and complete the purchase within 56 days.

Selling via auction can lead to a higher or lower price than you expected, but it also speeds up the selling process and avoids your property being sat on the market for an extended period.

 

With a free no-obligation property valuation you can find out how much you could have for your next home. Simply book an appointment and our local branch experts will be in touch.

Book a free property valuation

Alex Moore

Your Move E-Marketing Executive

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