Short answer: most sellers should plan on around 5–7 months from listing to completion, split broadly into:
- Preparing to list: 2–4 weeks
- Time to secure a buyer: typically 3–6 weeks on average (faster for 2–3 bed houses)
- Conveyancing to completion: 8–12+ weeks depending on the chain, lender and searches
On average across the UK in 2025, homes go under offer in about five weeks and take roughly six months end-to-end—but ranges are wide by property type and region.
What actually drives your timeline
- Price accuracy from day one. Correctly priced homes sell faster and with fewer reductions; overpricing lengthens time on market. Recent UK data shows 2–3 bed houses are the quickest to secure a buyer.
- Presentation and access. Clean, well-maintained homes with great photography and flexible viewing windows convert enquiries into offers.
- Seasonality. February–March listings have the best completion rates across the year. That said, a lower winter supply can still work in your favour if you price sharply.
- Conveyancing capacity and chain complexity. Straightforward freehold sales can complete in 8–12 weeks from offer; chains, leaseholds, or slow search returns can push this longer. Some sources note extended timelines in 2025 where caseloads are heavy.
A realistic, step-by-step timeline
1) Getting market-ready (2–4 weeks)
Light repairs, decluttering, compliance docs (EPC, ID/AML), and instructing your solicitor before launch. Pre-instructing speeds up buyer onboarding and searches.
2) Live on portals → offer agreed (3–6 weeks typical)
Expect the bulk of enquiries in the first 14 days. If viewings or offers are slow, revisit price, photos, and access quickly. Across the UK, average “time to offer” is c. 5 weeks, with 2–3 bed houses often faster.
3) Offer to completion (8–12+ weeks)
- Memorandum of sale issued; solicitors instructed on both sides
- Searches & enquiries (council workloads vary)
- Mortgage valuation/appraisal & formal offer
- Exchange → completion (often one week between these, but can be longer by agreement)
How to shorten the process (what we do at EBI)
- Price to the market, not to wishful thinking. We evidence pricing with sold comparables, not just asking prices.
- Front-load legals. We line up property information forms, leasehold packs (if applicable) and searches early to reduce post-offer drift.
- Qualify buyers. We verify funds and broker progress before a memo of sale goes out.
- Relentless progression. Weekly milestones with solicitors, brokers and surveyors to keep files moving.
- Launch properly. Professional photography, floor plans, and a compelling listing crafted to convert.
FAQs
What’s the average time to sell in 2025?
UK averages suggest ~5 weeks to go under offer and ~6 months from listing to completion, with local variation. Leaseholds and long chains take longer.
When should I list?
February–March produces the highest share of completed sales statistically. If you’re listing off-season, lean harder on price and presentation.
How long from offer to completion?
Plan for 8–12 weeks; allow more time if leasehold, complex chains, or slow local searches. Some firms report longer averages in 2025 due to workloads.
Ready to move?
Ernest-Brooks International (EBI) will give you a data-led pricing strategy, a high-impact launch, and proactive sales progression so you don’t lose months in limbo.
Book a free valuation and we’ll map your likely timeline in your postcode with live comparables and a clear plan to exchange efficiently.
