Homes are taking an average of 68 days to sell, 10 days longer than a year ago, putting greater pressure on agents to manage vendor expectations during the autumn market.
Analysis from the HomeOwners Alliance finds sellers hoping to secure an agreed sale before Christmas need to list by 16 October based on current selling times.
But the national figure disguises substantial differences between local markets, with the average period between listing and selling subject to contract ranging from 33 to 85 days.
The findings provide another reason for agents to have realistic conversations with vendors about pricing and timescales as the final major selling period of the year gets under way.
REGIONAL DIVIDE
Homes generally move more quickly in northern markets than in the South.
Northern Ireland has the shortest average selling period at 33 days, while sellers in the South West face the longest wait at 85 days.
The difference is also evident across major cities.
Glasgow has the fastest-moving city market in the analysis, with properties taking an average of just 25 days to reach sold subject to contract.
In London, the equivalent period is 76 days.
PRICING TO SELL
Paula Higgins (main picture, inset), Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, says sellers hoping to have an agreed sale in place before the festive break need to start preparing now.
She says: “If you are hoping to be in a new home early in the New Year, you need to get planning, as the 16th of October is the last day to list your property to have a chance of an agreed sale before the festive break.
“This won’t mean you’ll be in your new home this year, as there will be paperwork and procedures along the way, particularly if you’ve not found the place you want to move to. However, having a secured sale will put you in a positive position to plan your relocation early in 2027.”
Higgins also recommends sellers invite three local estate agents to value their property and compare their track records before choosing an agency.
HomeOwners Alliance says setting a realistic asking price can be particularly important for sellers working to a deadline, alongside instructing a conveyancer early and preparing the property for sale before marketing begins.
For sellers receiving multiple offers, it says the strength of the buyer’s position and whether they are part of a chain should also be considered alongside the price offered.
