"Whilst mortgage brokers can help speed up the conveyancing process by proactively managing paperwork and communication, buyers need to be prepared for this timeline"
- John Fraser-Tucker - Mojo Mortgages
Finding your dream home is exciting, and having your offer accepted feels like a major victory. Many UK buyers, particularly first-time buyers, assume the keys will be handed over almost immediately. However, new data from Mojo Mortgages suggests the reality is more complex.
While it takes an average of just over two weeks (18 days) to move from mortgage submission to an accepted offer, the period following this is significantly longer. Mojo Mortgages data shows UK homebuyers wait an average of 87 days, nearly three months, from receiving a mortgage offer to completing their purchase. This period is often filled with essential conveyancing, legal checks, and administrative steps.
"Securing an offer is a huge milestone, but our data shows that the finish line for UK homebuyers is often much further away than they anticipate due to the intricate conveyancing and legal checks required," says John Fraser-Tucker, head of mortgages at Mojo Mortgages. "This lengthy process can be a significant source of stress and uncertainty for aspiring homeowners. Whilst mortgage brokers can help speed up the conveyancing process by proactively managing paperwork and communication, buyers need to be prepared for this timeline."
The timeline from mortgage offer to completion can vary widely depending on location, so Mojo Mortgages has broken down average completion times by region to help buyers plan their home purchase.
Average days from offer to completion across the UK
| Rank | Region | Offer-completion Average overall (days) | Submission - completion Average overall (days) |
| 1 | Scotland | 45 | 62 |
| 2 | Northern Ireland | 82 | 103 |
| 3 | South West | 86 | 106 |
| 4 | East Midlands | 87 | 103 |
| 5 | Wales | 89 | 105 |
| 6 | North East | 89 | 107 |
| 7 | South East | 90 | 108 |
| 8 | West Midlands | 90 | 108 |
| 9 | East of England | 91 | 109 |
| 10 | North West | 93 | 110 |
| 11 | Greater London | 94 | 114 |
Various factors influence how long the process takes, including the circumstances of buyers, sellers, and the property itself. One major variable is the local land search conducted by councils. According to SearchFlow data, the average local land search takes around 10 days, but in October 2025, some areas reported wait times exceeding 30 days, significantly affecting individual timelines. Buyers can check updated turnaround times on local council websites or via SearchFlow.
Why Scotland is faster
Fraser-Tucker explains the difference in speed: “The dramatic difference in completion times, particularly with Scotland's impressive speed, isn't a new revelation. As highlighted by The Times recently, Scotland's unique legal and conveyancing systems play a crucial role. Their ‘offer to completion’ process is often more streamlined, with detailed legal work occurring earlier, leading to faster completion once an offer is accepted."
He adds, “With this in mind, the government's newly proposed homebuying overhaul aims to significantly cut down these waiting times. The recent proposals include measures designed to speed up the drawn-out and costly process of buying a home by up to four weeks. A key aspect requires sellers and estate agents to provide buyers with vital information about a property up front. This includes critical details like the home's condition, any associated leasehold costs, and information about chains of people waiting to move."
“It is hoped that these changes will reduce delays caused by information gathering during the conveyancing stage, ultimately allowing new homebuyers to complete their mortgages and step into their new homes more quickly. This research aims to shine a light on these crucial timelines, empowering both homebuyers with realistic expectations and industry professionals with data to drive improvements.”
While the process may take time, buyers can start their journey with a mortgage in principle to show sellers and estate agents they are ready to proceed. Mortgage brokers can also help manage the process and prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
