How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?

Buying a home is exciting, especially if you are a first-time buyer, but the process can feel long and unpredictable. On average, the home buying process can take around 4 to 6 months from start to finish. However, timelines can vary between 12 weeks and 8 months, depending on the circumstances.

Understanding the key stages involved and what impacts the timeline can help you prepare and potentially speed things up. This is an introductory guide, including average durations and common pitfalls to watch out for.

1. Getting a Mortgage Agreement in Principle – Hours to Days

The first step is securing a Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AiP). This gives you an idea of how much a lender might, in principle, be willing to lend to you. Together with your deposit, this helps you set your house-hunting budget, after allowing for purchase costs, such as surveyor and solicitor fees, and stamp duty. Some lenders offer instant AiPs online and the process generally takes no more than 24 to 48 hours even if more checks are needed. Most AiPs are valid for 30 to 90 days and can be renewed if they expire while you are looking for a property.

Getting an AiP signals to estate agents and sellers that you are serious. It also helps you avoid disappointment by ensuring that you are looking at homes within your affordability range. If you are using a mortgage broker, they can often help you secure AiPs from multiple lenders.

2. Property Search and Offer – Weeks to Months

Finding the right home can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year, with most buyers spending 3 to 12 months looking for the right property. From a seller’s point of view, homes go under offer in about 38 days from listing, on average, although this can vary significantly, depending on factors such as the locality and state of the market [1].  

When you are ready to make an offer, having an AiP and being chain-free can make your offer more attractive. Once an offer is accepted, most estate agents will mark the property as Sold STC (subject to contract), which potentially reduces the risk of gazumping. As a buyer, it is worth taking the time to research view multiple properties and the localities to gain a proper perspective.

3. Mortgage Finalisation and Conveyancing – 12 to 16 Weeks

After your offer is accepted, you will enter the conveyancing phase, which typically lasts 12 to 16 weeks [2]. 29% of transactions exchanged within 12 weeks in 2024, down from 78% in 2016, a sign that delays have become more common [3].

During this phase, your solicitor will conduct legal checks, including local authority searches, which are usually expected to take 10 days, but can stretch to over seven weeks, depending on the council involved [4]. Your mortgage lender will carry out a property valuation and you should also consider commissioning a survey (e.g. a HomeBuyer Report), which typically takes two to three weeks.

4. Exchange of Contracts – 1 to 2 Weeks Before Completion

The exchange of contracts is the legal point of no return. Once this happens, both buyer and seller are committed to the deal. This usually happens 1 to 2 weeks before completion after all legal checks have been done and your mortgage has been finalised. You will typically pay 10% of the purchase price at this stage.

The date of exchange depends on when all the pieces are in place, including agreed timelines between buyer and seller and the completion of any linked transactions in a chain.

5. Completion – Usually 1 to 2 Weeks After Exchange

Completion day is when you officially take ownership of the property and receive the keys. This usually happens 1–2 weeks after exchange, though the timing is flexible and can be negotiated depending on circumstances. The actual money transfer is typically finalised by midday on the completion date, following which the seller will release the keys to you.

Common Causes of Delay

Chains can be a bottleneck if there are delays in any of the relevant transactions. Search delays can also add weeks, depending on how quickly the local authority processes requests. Some councils are still taking over 50 days.

Other causes of delay include slow mortgage offers (which typically take 2–4 weeks, but longer if additional checks are needed) and legal issues, such as missing documents or unclear boundaries [3]. In leasehold properties, waiting on managing agents and freeholders to respond can also cause delays. Poor communication between solicitors or unresponsive sellers / buyers is also cited as one of the top reasons for sluggish progress.

Tips to Speed Up the Process

To streamline your home-buying journey, start by getting organised. Secure your AiP, prepare your deposit, and have documents such as your ID, payslips and proof of address ready from day one. Instruct a solicitor early. Some buyers do this even before making an offer to hit the ground running.

Stay responsive throughout. Quick replies to your solicitor or mortgage lender can help shave days off the timeline. Keep a weekly check-in routine with your solicitor to ensure everything is on track. Choosing quality professionals over budget services can also make a difference, as low-cost conveyancers sometimes juggle too many cases, leading to delays.

If you are in a hurry, avoid chains, if possible. Look for properties with “no onward chain”. Also, consider booking surveys early and ask for quick turnaround times. Keep a checklist of what has been done and what is pending.

Conclusion

The average house-buying journey takes around 4 to 6 months, but, depending on your preparation and external factors, it can take as little as 12 weeks or up to 8 months. With only 29% of sales exchanging contracts within 12 weeks as of 2024, delays are becoming more common, especially in transactions linked to chains or areas with slow responses to searches from local authorities [3].

The more organised and responsive you are, the faster you can move through the stages and the sooner you will be picking up the keys to your new home.

FAQs

Q. How long does it typically take to buy a house?

A. On average, the house-buying process takes between 4 to 6 months, although it can range from 12 weeks to 8 months, depending on various factors. These include how long it takes to find a property, mortgage approval speed, local authority search times and whether you are in a chain.

Q. What is a Mortgage Agreement in Principle and how long does it take to get one?

A. A Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AiP) is a document from a lender stating how much you may be able to borrow. It is often issued within hours and usually takes no longer than 24 to 48 hours even if additional information is required. It gives estate agents and sellers confidence in your ability to proceed and helps set your property budget.

Q. Why does conveyancing take so long and can I speed it up?

A. Conveyancing usually takes 12 to 16 weeks, but delays are common due to slow searches, legal complexities or unresponsive parties. You can help speed things up by instructing a solicitor early, replying quickly to information requests, and ensuring your mortgage application and documents are submitted promptly.

Q. What is the difference between 'exchange' and 'completion'?

A. Exchange of contracts is the legally binding step where both parties commit to the sale. It usually happens 1–2 weeks before completion. Completion is when you legally become the homeowner and get the keys after your solicitor transfers the funds to the seller's solicitor.

Q. Can I buy a house faster if I am not in a chain?

A. Being chain-free increases the chances of a smoother and faster transaction. Chains are one of the most common causes of delays.

Q. What are the main causes of delay in the house-buying process?

A. The most common causes of delay include slow mortgage processing, local authority search backlogs, legal issues, chains and poor communication between solicitors and buyers/sellers. According to 2024 data, only 29% of transactions complete within 12 weeks, highlighting how common delays have become.