How long does it take to sell a house with no chain?

Chain-free sales typically complete in 8-12 weeks from listing to completion. Without the complexity of coordinating multiple transactions, you can often shave 4-6 weeks off the average timeline. The fastest chain-free cash sales can complete in as little as 4 weeks.

Can I accept another offer after accepting one?

Until you exchange contracts, you're not legally bound to the sale. You can accept a better offer ( gazumping ), though this is considered poor practice and may damage your reputation with local agents. Once contracts are exchanged, you cannot accept another offer without legal consequences.

What happens if my buyer's mortgage expires?

If the mortgage offer expires before completion, the buyer must reapply. This can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline and isn't guaranteed if their circumstances have changed. Most mortgage offers last 3-6 months from issue.

When do I get the money from my house sale?

You'll receive funds on completion day, typically by late afternoon. Your conveyancer receives the money, deducts their fees, estate agent fees, and mortgage redemption, then transfers the balance to you.

How long does it take to sell a house?

We break down how long each stage of selling a house takes, what can slow down the process, and how you can avoid delays.

Last updated 27 Nov 2025

Read time 8 minutes

Illustration of a detached home surrounded by tall trees and moving boxes on the inside.

Key takeaways

Selling a house takes 14-33 weeks on average from listing to completion

Getting offers typically takes 2-14 weeks depending on pricing and local market conditions

The conveyancing process from offer acceptance to exchange takes 10-12 weeks

Chain-free sales can complete 4-6 weeks faster than those with property chains

You can speed up your sale by pricing competitively, choosing responsive professionals, and having paperwork ready

How long does it take to sell a house?

It can take up to 5 months or longer to sell a house, this timeline includes getting your property on the market through to when you hand over the keys to the buyer.

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to months to get your property under offer, all depending on the local market, how well priced your property is, and what condition and location the property is in.

The good news? You can influence how quickly your house sells. From choosing the right estate agent to pricing competitively, there are multiple ways to speed up your sale. We’ll break down each stage of the selling process and guide you on how to sell your house quickly.

Key stages and how long it takes to sell your house

Stage	Timeframe
Getting your house to market	1 to 3 weeks
Getting offers and accepting	2 to 14 weeks
From acceptance to exchange	10 to 12 weeks
From exchange to completion	1 day to 4 weeks
Total time	14 to 33 weeks (roughly 3 to 8 months)

Selling your house: a complete timeline

Here’s a complete breakdown of each step to selling your home and how long it’s likely to take:

How long does it take to sell a house?

We break down how long each stage of selling a house takes, what can slow down the process, and how you can avoid delays.

How long does it take to sell a house?

Key stages and how long it takes to sell your house

Selling your house: a complete timeline

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