"This data demonstrates more than ever the importance of being as prepared as possible before you launch your property onto the market"
- David Adams - Cavendish
The average time to sell a home in the UK has reached 205 days, marking the first occasion it has surpassed the 200-day threshold.
Inner London and the South-East see the longest selling periods, averaging 222 days, with outer London close behind at 221 days. The North-East performs best in England and Wales, where the average is 177 days, while Scotland records the shortest time at 145 days.
This research was conducted by TwentyEA, property market data specialists, on behalf of Cavendish, an estate and lettings agent operating in Cheshire and North Wales.
Breaking down the average, it takes around 80 days from instructing an agent to achieving Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC), followed by an additional 125 days from SSTC to completion. Compared to the same period in 2024, this reflects a 10-day increase.
Cavendish recommends several strategies to improve the chances of selling before the end of 2025:
Price your property correctly from the start, based on logic rather than emotion. Properties that reduce their asking price are 20% less likely to sell and take three times longer. Avoid pricing just below key thresholds (for example, £500,000 is preferable to £499,950) since buyers often search at exact price points. Correctly priced properties attract 11% more detailed views.
Use high-quality photos and include a video or virtual tour if possible. Properties with video or tours receive 6% more enquiries.
Craft property descriptions that include personal stories or favourite features to engage potential buyers more effectively.
Prepare legally ahead of time. Don’t wait for an offer before getting a solicitor lined up, organising key documents in a digital file, completing Fixtures & Fittings forms, and obtaining an EPC certificate.
Ensure the home smells fresh and clean to avoid negative impressions during viewings.
Research estate agents carefully. Only 52.7% of properties actually sell, so choosing an agent with a dedicated in-house sales progression team can speed up the process.
Avoid rushing to market. Spend a few weeks touching up paint, tidying garages, mowing lawns, and weeding patios. First impressions remain crucial.
Stage your home. Staged properties typically sell for 8% more. This might be as simple as adding flowers and houseplants, fresh towels, and hand wash, or hiring professional home stagers who bring furniture and artwork.
Consider your own purchase carefully, assessing how stable your chain is and how likely it is to collapse.
“In pretty much every region of the UK, the time to sell your home has gone up with the UK average increasing from 195 days in 2024 to 205 days in 2025,” noted David Adams, managing director of Cavendish (pictured). He added, “This data demonstrates more than ever the importance of being as prepared as possible before you launch your property onto the market.”
“Based on an average time of 205 days, most people hoping to give themselves a present of a new home by Christmas will probably have to think again.”
“Having said that, there are lots of ways in which home sellers can put themselves in pole position to beat the national average, but they need to put the hard yards in well before listing. You need to treat selling your home like a military operation.”
Adams explained, “Speed to market does not equal speed to sale. Far better delaying for a couple of weeks to get everything in order rather than rushing to get online within hours of you instructing your estate agent.”
He also advised, “Crucially, when choosing your estate agent to sell your home, make sure to ask them what their selling record is. What percentage of homes do they successfully sell, how many go for asking price or better and how long on average to sell.”
