Buying a home

How long does it take to buy a house?

Most house purchases take around 8 to 12 weeks from an accepted offer to completion, though the full journey, including viewing and arranging your mortgage, usually runs a bit longer. No two moves are the same, so here is a realistic home buying timeline and what can speed things up or hold them back.

The typical timeline

  1. Get your finances readyWork out your budget and get a mortgage in principle so you know what you can borrow and can move quickly when you find the right home.Before you start
  2. Find a home and make an offerRegister with local agents, view properties and put in an offer. This stage is entirely down to you and how quickly the right home comes up.Varies
  3. Offer accepted and solicitor instructedOnce your offer is accepted, you instruct a solicitor and apply for your mortgage in earnest.Week 1
  4. Mortgage valuation and searchesYour lender values the home and your solicitor orders local searches. This is often the longest wait.Weeks 2 to 8
  5. Enquiries and mortgage offerYour solicitor raises questions with the seller's side, and your formal mortgage offer comes through.Weeks 4 to 10
  6. Exchange contractsEverything is agreed, contracts are signed, and the sale becomes legally binding with a completion date set.Around week 10
  7. CompletionThe money is transferred, the home is legally yours, and you collect the keys.Completion day

These timings are a guide, not a promise. A short chain and a well organised buyer can move faster, while a long chain or a slow search can add weeks.

What can cause delays

  • A long chain: every purchase in the chain has to be ready before anyone can complete.
  • Slow searches: local authority search times vary from area to area.
  • Survey findings: issues can lead to renegotiation or further checks.
  • Mortgage hold-ups: missing paperwork or a down valuation can slow the offer.
  • Leasehold complications: flats often involve extra information from the freeholder or managing agent.

How to keep things moving

Being organised is the single biggest thing within your control. Get your mortgage in principle early, instruct a solicitor the moment your offer is accepted, return paperwork promptly, and stay in regular contact with your agent and solicitor. A proactive local agent will chase the chain on your behalf and head off problems before they cost you time. Our buying process guide walks through each stage in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to buy a house in the UK?

From an accepted offer to completion usually takes around 8 to 12 weeks, though it can be quicker or slower depending on the chain, the survey and how fast searches come back. Add time before that for viewing and arranging your mortgage.

What is the slowest part of buying a house?

Conveyancing, including local searches and mortgage checks, is often the longest stage. A long chain can also add delays, since every purchase in it has to be ready before anyone can complete.

How can I speed up buying a house?

Get a mortgage in principle early, instruct a solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted, respond to requests quickly, and stay in regular contact with your agent and solicitor. Being organised makes a real difference.

What is the difference between exchange and completion?

Exchange is when contracts become legally binding and a completion date is set. Completion is when the money is transferred and the home officially becomes yours, and you get the keys.

Thinking of buying?

Speak to our team

Whether you are just starting out or ready to make an offer, we can help you move smoothly from viewing to keys. Give us a call for friendly, no obligation advice.

Call us on 01689 490050