How long does it take to sell a house? Dan Green’s guide to all you need to know about the speed of property sales

Introduction

As someone who’s experienced property sales from both sides of the desk – and written articles about the UK property market – I can tell you, selling a house is no less nerve-racking than watching your team take a last-minute penalty shot.

Just before putting their home on the market, almost every homeowner will turn to Google and put in something like ‘how long will a house take to sell?’ or ‘how quickly are houses selling?’

Frankly, those can be tricky to answer and you might want to put into Google, ‘How long is a piece of string?’ You see, the speed of house sales depends upon a multitude of factors.

Let’s dive in and unpack the secrets of speeding up your house sale…

Timeframes

Accepted statistics do differ but selling your home generally, takes anywhere between 6-12 weeks. There are several ways that homeowners can choose to sell their home; each of which should be carefully considered and matched to homeowners selling aspirations.

When you list your home with a high-street estate agent, you can expect to wait at least three months. Most estate agents inform homeowners that selling their homes within this timeframe is rare; however, Rightmove’s House Price Index from March 2024 states that the average time to find a buyer on the open market is 71 days. Keep in mind that’s the average time, so it could be longer. 

And if you adopt a private sales approach, you won’t have the expertise of property professionals, so unless you know how and where to market your home, you may find the process takes frustratingly longer than you anticipated. Then there’s all the paperwork to sort out if you secure a sale. Without intricate knowledge of the process, it’s likely to take a long time. 

Now, if you use the services of a reputable fast sale specialist like us, your sale could take a matter of days. Springbok takes a proactive approach to selling homes, as opposed to a reactive approach. This means we can sell your property far quicker by appealing to buyers that are able to make an immediate purchase. That’s why we can buy any property in any condition; we have investors on our books that are ready to jump and pay cash.  

With those selling methods covered, let’s now look at factors that can affect the speed of your sale if you’re going to sell on the open market with an estate agent.

The listing price

Getting the listing price right is critical to selling a house – even more so when you’re looking to sell a property quickly. The listing price must serve to tantalise prospective buyers and grab their attention. An overpriced home will immediately force buyers to consider other options; even if your place has all that they’re looking for. In the modern world where people are browsing online, buyers will keep scrolling past and won’t give your property a look.

Now, vendors that are intent on securing a quick sale will have considered the ‘how long does it take to sell a house?’ question very carefully. You see, for a quick sale to be achieved, vendors need to make a compromise because having a fast sale, for above the asking price, simply isn’t realistic.

A smart homeowner, meanwhile, will know that to achieve that quick sale, they may have to accept an offer from a cash buying company that’s a little bit lower than the property’s market value. But in doing so, they’re likely to be getting a guaranteed sale that could take around 30 days or less.

The location

Location isn’t just a buzzword; it’s critical in determining how quickly your house sells, if you’re going to be selling on the open market. And it’s not a simple case of some parts of the UK being more desirable than others. It’s about factors such as proximity to a school with an excellent Ofsted rating, transport links, parks and green spaces, and shops.

I’ve even seen the so-called ‘Deliveroo effect’ where living in an area with lots of food options on Deliveroo can add thousands to the value of your property. Ideal Home reported that having the family friendly Wagamama close to where you live can add as much as £30,887 to your home’s value, whilst being near to a KFC adds about £13,000. 

Remember though that every buyer is different. Not everyone wants a home so tranquil could can hear a pin drop, and equally, not everyone wants to be a short bus ride from a city centre and the nightlife that offers. And for some people, having a KFC on their doorstep could be perceived as a negative.

The buoyancy of the property market

In a buoyant market – one where the demand for properties outstrips the supply – the speed of the sale is undoubtedly going to be affected. The increased number of buyers will create competition for properties, allowing vendors or choose which offer is the most attractive to them.

And it isn’t just which offer is the highest, but which offer allows them to move quickly. A slightly lower offer with no chain is going to more attractive than an offer that comes with a long chain behind it and a possibility of the sale falling through.

However, this is only an issue if you’re going to be selling on the open market. Even in times when supply outstrips demand and properties stay on the open market, cash buying companies will buy any property, in any condition.

How to speed up your house sale

As I mentioned before, while the average selling time on the open market can range from anywhere between 6-12 weeks, there are ways to make the process faster:

• Be prepared: Know your property’s strengths and how to communicate them effectively. If someone asks about the roof, know when it was replaced or repaired. 
• Choose the right partner: A fast sale specialist, such as Springbok Properties, can make a significant difference to the speed of your sale. 
• Stay flexible: Sometimes, a quick sale might mean accepting a slightly lower offer. Holding out for a bit more could cost you a lot of time. 

Remember though that each property is unique, and so is every sale, and every buyer. The key is to adjust your strategy based on your specific circumstances, and what you need, as well as the market conditions.

Another thing you can do to speed up your property sale is to book a removal company as soon as your moving date has been agreed. Being organised with your preparation and packing will also shorten the moving time. 

But what about the place you’re moving to? Well, the time it takes to find a new home should always be factored into how long a house sale takes. And the time taken to find a new home depends on the type of property you need, the buoyancy of the property market, flexibility on demands, and if there’s a property chain.

Of course, knowing the type of property that you require, the area where you’d like to live, and your budget, will all help to speed up the process.

Rushing into buying a house to shorten the timeframe can result in purchasing an unsuitable property, and either ‘putting up’ with the decision, or going back on the market and going through the whole process all over again.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, the ins and outs of how quickly you can sell your house and the factors that affect the speed of a sale. Whether it’s timing the market right, pricing your home wisely, or choosing the best way to sell, it all boils down to how prepared you are and who’s in your corner.

To return to the beginning and the original question of ‘how long does it take to sell a house?’, the answer is that it can take as long as you want it to. If you are looking to sell quickly, our award-winning team is ready to help you navigate the sale of your home, ensuring you get the best possible outcome, and fast. Just click the ‘get offer’ button anywhere on this page. 

Further reading

I’ve put together a table that lists websites providing resources about the UK property market, and I think you’ll find these to be helpful when trying to find out how quickly houses are selling. 

These websites are great resources to stay updated on market trends, understand the current property climate, and pick up tips on selling your home.

FAQs

These five FAQs aim to address common concerns and provide practical tips to help homeowners understand and navigate the process of selling in the UK property market.

Q1: How long does it typically take to sell a house in the UK?

The time it takes to sell a house can vary widely based on several factors including location, market conditions, and the price at which the property is listed, as well as the service that is used. On average, selling a home can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks on the open market, but this timeline can be shorter or longer depending on the specifics of your situation and the efficiency of the sales process, as well your property’s condition and location. 

Q2: What factors can affect the time it takes to sell my house?

Several key factors can influence the selling time:

• Listing price: Appropriately pricing your home is crucial. Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while under-pricing might speed up the sale but reduce your profits.
• Location: Properties in desirable areas tend to sell faster, but there are lots of ways an area can be desirable. 
• Condition of your property: Well-maintained and modernised homes generally attract buyers quicker, unless you’re selling to an investor. 
• Market conditions: A seller’s market will see quicker sales times due to higher demand for all types of properties. 
• Marketing strategy: Effective advertising and presentation of your home can significantly decrease the selling time.

Q3: How can I speed up the sale of my house?

To speed up your house sale, consider the following:

• Price it right: Conduct a thorough market analysis and consult with property experts to set a competitive price.
• Enhance kerb appeal: First impressions count. Improve the exterior and interior aesthetics of your property to create a ‘wow’ factor when potential buyers see your home. 
• Effective marketing: Using multiple marketing channels including online listings, social media, and traditional media can help to get your property seen by more people. 
• Choose the right agent: A proactive agent with a track record of quick sales can make a significant difference.

Q4: Is there a faster way to sell my house than using traditional methods?

Yes, using a fast sale property specialist such as Springbok Properties can give you a quick sale. You could potentially sell your house in days or weeks, instead of months.

Q5: What should I do if my house isn’t selling?

If your house isn’t selling, consider:

• Reviewing your price: Ensure your home is competitively priced by comparing it with similar properties in your area.
• Improve the condition: Address any maintenance issues that might be holding back buyers from submitting an offer.
• Get feedback: Ask for feedback from viewers and adjust your approach accordingly.
• Use a fast cash buyer: A company such as Springbok Properties will buy any house in any condition, so you’ll get the sale that you need.

However you choose to sell your property, I wish you every success and hope that you get the sale you need in the timeframe that works for you. Good luck!