How long does it take to move house?

News How long does it take to move house?

How long does it take to move into a house?

Moving house is a daunting prospect, with lengthy timelines and lots of unknown variables. From finding the right property to exchanging contracts and completing the sale, the whole process can be extremely stressful.

So just how long does it take to move into a house? A recent survey stated that 90% of movers found the most stressful part of moving home was the sheer length of time the process took. The average amount of time between instruction and completion in the UK was five months or 153 days!

In this blog we take a look at the moving process and layout the timeline for moving home.

How long does it take to put a house up for sale?

This can take on average 10-12 weeks. Currently in the UK homes are finding a buyer in an average of 55 days, up from 33 days a year ago. Though this is still quicker than the pre pandemic average of 67 days.

First off you need a trusted estate agent. Do some research here and find an agent with good local knowledge and experience who can provide you with a solid valuation and get your property on the market quickly and efficiently. People really do shop with their eyes so great photography is really key to enticing prospective buyers along to viewings. Check that your agent uses an experienced photographer to get the best possible images of your beautiful home. Take a look at our blog preparing your home for sale for some extra tips on getting your home ready for those viewing!

Finding your new home is the most fun part of moving! Set yourself up with new property alerts on your favoured online estate agent platform. You can refine by price, bedroom size and  geographic area so you will only receive the most targeted and up to date properties on the market.

Getting a mortgage

Finding the right mortgage for you is extremely important. Do some research online and use comparison sites to check out different mortgage deals. It is also worth speaking to your bank, as a current customer they may offer you a better deal. Before you can make a serious offer on a house you will need an Agreement in Principle. This is the first step to getting a mortgage and is an estimate of how much money you can borrow from a mortgage lender. Once you are ready you can then further your application and get a mortgage approval. This can take between 18-40 days and usually lasts between 3-6 months. To prevent delays with your application make sure you have gathered together all your important documentation such as payslips and bank statements.

How long does conveyancing take?

The conveyancing process starts once an offer has been agreed and ends on completion day, usually between 8-12 weeks. Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring the ownership of a property from one person to another. Throughout this period you will need to fill out a number of questionnaires, agreeing which fixtures and fittings are included in the sale, and letting them know about any disputes with neighbours.

Once your solicitor is happy, you’ll be asked to sign the contract. The exchange of contracts is normally 1 – 4 weeks before the completion date and is legally binding. If you pull out, you’d lose your deposit and you may incur additional charges. After the exchange of contracts has been achieved, then a completion date will be set.

Completion day

This usually takes place 7-28 days after the exchange of contracts. On completion day your mortgage money and the money from your house sale will be transferred to your solicitor. They will then send the full amount you offered to the vendor’s solicitor and the property is finally yours. You can then collect your keys and move into your wonderful new home!

Once you conveyancing process has started, give us a call for help with all your removal, packing and storage needs.