"We can't accept a return to the dark days of 200-day completion times, especially when the tools to digitise and streamline the process exist, and the possibility of speed for every type of transaction is proven"
- Jamie Cooke - iamproperty
With property transactions now taking an average of 205 days to complete, iamproperty has urged the industry to prioritise improvements in speed, security and transparency across all transaction types.
Residential stock levels are currently at a ten-year high, and buyer demand remains strong. On average, properties spend 36 days on the market, and 52% go sale agreed within two months. However, this pace has not translated into quicker completions.
Jamie Cooke, co-founder at iamproperty, said a growing number of buyers and sellers are turning to auction in response to delays.
“Since pioneering the Modern Method of Auction 15 years ago, we’ve seen continued growth in both the market and consumer appetite,” he explained. “Undoubtedly, throughout that time, key moments have accelerated that trend. From the 2016 Stamp Duty changes and Brexit uncertainty to the COVID-19 lockdowns and the 2021 Stamp Duty holiday. In times of pressure, buyers and sellers have increasingly turned to auction as a faster, more reliable way to beat the delays of traditional Private Treaty transactions.”
He added that recent changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax thresholds have contributed to further growth. “The most recent changes to the SDLT threshold sparked urgency once again, driving a 24% year-on-year sales increase in March 2025,” said Cooke. “Since then, momentum hasn’t faded even with the higher rates of Stamp Duty from 1 April, with June marking our highest number of auction sales so far this year.”
Ongoing issues around slow searches, outdated conveyancing, and manual processes remain barriers to faster completions. Cooke commented that many agents and consumers are beginning to recognise the benefits of alternative transaction methods and digital tools.
“Auction is already delivering faster, more secure sales,” he noted. “But it’s not just limited to auction. For Private Treaty transactions, agents using tools like movebutler to streamline onboarding and front-load Material Information are seeing real results.”
In response to persistent delays, iamproperty has introduced Premium Conveyancing, an add-on service within its movebutler platform. The service collects legal information, protocol forms and searches in advance, allowing Private Treaty transactions to complete up to five weeks faster, on average in just 79 days.
Cooke concluded: “We can't accept a return to the dark days of 200-day completion times, especially when the tools to digitise and streamline the process exist, and the possibility of speed for every type of transaction is proven. As the market continues to evolve, speed, certainty and transparency should be the ambition, if not the norm, for the benefit of everyone involved.”
