“Wondering how long your move will really take? Discover average timelines, common pitfalls to avoid, and smart ways to plan ahead for a smoother moving experience.”

There's a running joke in the property world that the questions “How long does it take to move home?” and “How long is a piece of string?” have exactly the same answer - it depends!

Every buyer and seller has their own agenda and deadline, and while no two sales are the same, many potential roadblocks to a successful move can be removed with a bit of advanced planning.

Selling a home might be an imperfect process, but there are many ways to add some certainty and avoid unnecessary delays, so let’s take a look at:

Average times to sell

What can hold things up?

What makes homes sell faster?

Planning your personal timeline

Helpful resources

Whether you're working backwards from a fixed life event or simply testing the waters, our guide will help you set realistic expectations, remove considerable stress, and build a workable plan.

Average times to sell

The time it takes to move varies across the UK, so if you’re selling a home in the Wilton and Salisbury area and moving further afield, you'll need to account for different timelines. Here are the regional averages:

Scotland is quickest, with an average of 30 to 40 days to find a buyer, then 6 to 8 weeks to conclude missives, and another 1 to 2 weeks to completion.
Next is Wales, where it takes an average of 45 to 55 days to agree a sale, then 8 to 10 weeks to exchange contracts, and 2 to 4 weeks to completion.

Trailing in third is England, with an average of 55 to 70 days to accept an offer, 10 to 14 weeks to exchange contracts, and 2 to 4 weeks to completion.

Given all of the above, it's wise to allow at least six months between hitting the market and your desired moving date, and to approach estate agents nine months ahead to find your favourite and form a plan.

What can hold things up?

Although selling a home has a different process in the different parts of the UK, most of the hiccups are the same; they just come at different points in the process. Delays can come from:

Incorrect pricing. From over-the-top valuations to poorly set asking prices that bury your home in crowded search results, getting it wrong can cost you months of lost time.
Survey problems. Whether it's a home report in Scotland or a buyer's survey in England, structural issues frighten lenders and involve more reports, possible negotiations, and delays.

Unexpected legal issues. Typical cases include unclear rights of way, disputes with neighbours, and missing local authority consent for building work.
Chain breakdowns. If your buyer is selling their home, it’s essential to know that their sale, and every link in the chain below them, has been correctly agreed.
Slow solicitors. Cheap, online operations in high-volume call centres have built a reputation for dragging sales and frustration. Find a revered local firm that has time to treat you well.

In short, set the right price, tackle repairs, gather your legal paperwork early, scrutinise your agent’s chain-checking procedure, and prioritise excellent service over saving a few pounds.

What makes homes sell faster?

Despite the adage of “location, location, location”, the fact is that people buy in all sorts of places for various reasons, and there are many ways to give your home the edge, including:

Choosing an estate agent who sells homes like yours and has excellent photos, compelling descriptions, and broad online exposure to give you the widest possible audience.
Dealing with any cosmetic issues that detract from your home, from dripping taps, cracked tiles and grimy sealant, to scuffed paintwork, historic stains, and broken door handles.

Looking at whether decluttering or rearranging furniture would highlight great features, increase the sense of flow, or make your home feel bigger and brighter.

These are the fundamental basics that can transform your home from just another listing into an unmissable and irresistible option for serious buyers.

Planning your personal timeline

Not everyone has a deadline for moving, but even the most flexible seller will generally have a rough idea of when they’d like to be in their next home. Some of the most common catalysts are:

Schools. Most parents aim to move in the summer holidays to avoid term-time disruption, so your home should be hitting the market in January or February.

Expecting a child. We’d generally suggest getting the ball rolling as soon as a pregnancy is confirmed if you want to be settled in before the baby arrives.

Getting in for summer is another favourite for enjoying the garden in a new home, so think about marketing in autumn and early winter.
And last but certainly not least, Christmas is a major moving motivator, which generally means starting the selling process in late spring, or very early summer.

This doesn't cover every possible scenario, and whatever personal timeline you're working to, we’d love to help you create a plan that gets you moved on time.

Resources for success

There’s a lot that goes into making your move a smooth experience, and we’ve put together a series of guides to remove as much of the friction as possible, covering essential topics like:

Decluttering. To combat the overwhelm, we've unpacked Four Ways to Declutter in an earlier blog.
Photography. Get your home ready for its close-up with our detailed article on Photography Secrets.

Flow and airiness. Explore our blog on making your rooms feel Bigger and Brighter.

Conflicting valuations. Learn about Overvaluing Tricks & Traps to spot the advice that will actually get you sold.

Tapping into our expertise takes the guesswork out of preparation so you can focus your energy where it matters most, and give your move a valuable head start.

Can we help you create your selling timeline?

Even if your move is a year away, it's never too soon to start planning. In fact, the more time you give yourself to prepare your home for sale, the faster you're likely to find your perfect buyer.

So when you come to choose an estate agent in the Wilton and Salisbury area, call us on 01722 580059 or message us at info@piccoloproperty.co.uk for a chat with our team about your next best steps to make your move a success.