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

If you have decided to move home, your first question will probably be how long does selling a house take? It is impossible to tell you an exact number of days as there are so many variables!

We can, however, share with you this selling a house timeline for those using a traditional estate agent. New research carried out by TwentyEA found the average time to sell a house – that’s from the point you instruct an estate agent to completion - is a whopping 205 days. Those selling in inner London and the South-East have the longest house purchase process at 222 days, followed by outer London at 221 days.

Within that selling a house timeline is an average 80 day wait between instructing an estate agent and achieving Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC) status. After which, sellers will wait 125 days between SSTC and completion.

Can you wait almost 30 weeks?

When you take the entire average time to sell a house into account, sellers need to hold tight for almost 30 weeks, hoping that nothing derails their sale. One of the most common things that can break a chain is when a buyers’ mortgage offer expires. Some purchasers find they are offered a new mortgage at a higher rate, which leaves them with little option but to reduce their offer or back out of the transaction.

A drawn out transaction can also be an issue if there’s a long chain. With little control over everyone involved, it’s not unheard of for those below or above to pull out due to lack of progress. Sometimes the waiting gives people the headspace to have a change of heart.

6 weeks – your new average time to sell a house

What if we told you there was a way of drastically cutting the average time to sell a house to just six weeks? When our customers ask how long does selling a house take, Open Property Group can proudly say our average is 42 days – and even quicker is possible.

How to reduce your average time to sell a house to 42 days

The Open Property Group house purchase process is beautifully streamlined and fuss free. We’ve removed the middle man, work in an ultra-decisive way and partner with efficient conveyancers. No waiting, no waffle and no delays.

Here’s how it works

• Contact Open Property Group – a professional house buyer
• Receive an instant cash offer from us – no estate agent involved
• Agree our valuation – we pay with cash, not a mortgage
• Exchange contracts in an average of 35 days
• Choose your own completion date – as quick as 7 days, if required
• Complete and receive money in your bank account

That’s it! Your home won’t need to appear on Rightmove or Zoopla as Open Property Group will be your direct buyer, allowing you to sell your property fast. Our team is focused on quick decisions, working with likeminded conveyancers who won’t delay your sale.

Reducing costs as well as the average time to sell a house

Open Property Group operates a fee-free house purchase process. You will save money because:

• There are zero estate agent fees
• We will pay your legal costs
• We will pay for an EPC, if required

Speed and money savings – what’s not to like? Did we mention we buy tenanted properties, problem properties and even homes with short leases? Open Property Group makes cash offers for all properties, so contact us today.