How Long Does It Take to Buy a House

At Towerstone, we provide specialist property accountancy services for homeowners, landlords, and property investors. We have written this article to explain the typical buying timeline, helping you make informed decisions.

Buying a house is one of the biggest financial and emotional commitments most people ever make. One of the first questions buyers ask is how long the process actually takes, especially when they are trying to plan moves, give notice on rented property, or coordinate a chain. Unfortunately, there is no single fixed answer, because buying a house in the UK is not a simple transaction. It is a process made up of multiple stages, many of which depend on other people, professionals, and organisations moving at the same pace.

That said, there are realistic averages, common timelines, and clear reasons why some purchases move quickly while others drag on for months. Understanding these stages helps you plan properly and avoid unnecessary stress.

In this guide, I will explain how long it usually takes to buy a house in the UK, from your offer being accepted through to completion. I will also explain what happens at each stage, what slows things down, what can speed things up, and when you should start to worry that things are taking too long.

The short answer most people want

In England and Wales, buying a house typically takes between 10 and 14 weeks from the point your offer is accepted to the day you get the keys. Some purchases complete faster, especially where there is no chain and no mortgage. Others can take 4 to 6 months or even longer if complications arise.

The important thing to understand is that the clock does not start when you first view a property. It really starts when an offer is accepted, and even then, nothing is legally binding until much later in the process.

The main stages of buying a house

To understand timing properly, it helps to break the purchase down into stages. Each stage has its own risks and delays.

Stage one, finding a property and making an offer

This stage varies wildly. Some buyers find a property within days, others take months or even years. This part of the process is entirely personal and depends on budget, location, availability, and how flexible you are.

Once you find a property you want to buy, making an offer and getting it accepted can happen quickly, sometimes within hours or days. In other cases, there may be negotiations, counter offers, or competition from other buyers, which can add time.

Once the offer is accepted, the property is usually marked as sold subject to contract. At this point, the real work begins.

Stage two, instructing solicitors and starting the legal process

After your offer is accepted, both you and the seller need to instruct solicitors or licensed conveyancers. This should happen immediately. Delays at this stage often add weeks to the overall timeline.

Once instructed, the seller’s solicitor prepares the draft contract pack, which includes title documents and property information forms. Your solicitor then reviews these and begins raising enquiries.

This stage usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, assuming both parties act promptly. If either side delays instructing a solicitor, the entire transaction slows down from the outset.

Stage three, applying for your mortgage

If you are buying with a mortgage, you should submit your full mortgage application as soon as your offer is accepted. Even if you already have an agreement in principle, the formal application still involves underwriting, checks, and a valuation.

Mortgage processing times vary between lenders. In straightforward cases, a mortgage offer may be issued within 2 to 4 weeks. In more complex cases, or during busy periods, it can take longer.

Any issues with your income, credit file, or property valuation can cause delays or force renegotiation.

Cash buyers skip this stage, which is why they often move faster.

Stage four, surveys and valuations

Most buyers arrange a survey shortly after their offer is accepted. This might be a homebuyer report or a full building survey, depending on the property.

The survey itself usually takes place within 1 to 2 weeks, but interpreting the results and responding to issues can take longer. If the survey reveals problems, buyers may ask for price reductions, repairs, or further specialist inspections.

This stage is a common cause of delays and renegotiation. In some cases, it leads to the buyer withdrawing entirely.

Stage five, searches and enquiries

While the survey is happening, your solicitor orders searches. These include local authority searches, water and drainage searches, and environmental searches.

Search times vary significantly by area. Some councils return searches within days, others take several weeks. This stage alone can add 2 to 6 weeks to the process.

At the same time, your solicitor raises enquiries with the seller’s solicitor about the property. These might relate to boundaries, planning permission, building regulations, guarantees, or disputes.

Delays here often occur when paperwork is missing or unclear, particularly with older properties or leasehold homes.

Stage six, resolving issues and getting ready to exchange

Once the mortgage offer is issued, the survey is resolved, and searches are returned, your solicitor works through the remaining enquiries.

This stage is about tying everything together and ensuring there are no outstanding legal risks. It often feels slow, because progress depends on responses from third parties such as managing agents, councils, or freeholders.

In a smooth transaction, this stage may take 2 to 4 weeks. In more complex cases, especially with leasehold properties, it can take much longer.

Stage seven, exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts is the most important milestone in the process. This is when the transaction becomes legally binding.

Before exchange, your solicitor will ask you to sign the contract and transfer your deposit, usually 10 percent of the purchase price. A completion date is then agreed.

Up until exchange, either party can still withdraw. After exchange, both sides are legally committed.

The timing of exchange depends on everyone in the chain being ready. In chain free purchases, exchange can happen as soon as both parties are satisfied. In longer chains, everyone must exchange at the same time.

Stage eight, completion

Completion is the day ownership transfers and you receive the keys. This can happen on the same day as exchange or weeks later, depending on what is agreed.

On completion day, funds are transferred between solicitors, the estate agent releases the keys, and you can move in.

From offer accepted to completion, this is where the 10 to 14 week average usually lands.

How chains affect the timeline

Property chains are one of the biggest factors in how long it takes to buy a house.

If you are buying from someone who is also buying another property, and so on, everyone is dependent on everyone else. One delay anywhere in the chain affects the entire transaction.

Chain free purchases, such as buying from a seller who has already moved or a new build developer, are usually much faster.

Long chains increase both timescales and risk.

Leasehold versus freehold purchases

Leasehold properties usually take longer to buy than freehold properties.

This is because additional information is required from managing agents or freeholders, including service charge accounts, ground rent details, and management packs. These third parties often work slowly and charge high fees for information.

It is common for leasehold purchases to take 12 to 16 weeks or more.

Cash buyers versus mortgaged buyers

Cash buyers generally move faster because there is no mortgage application or lender valuation.

However, cash buyers still need searches, surveys, and legal checks. They are not immune to delays caused by title issues or slow solicitors.

That said, a cash buyer with no chain is usually the fastest type of buyer.

Why some purchases take much longer than average

There are several common reasons purchases exceed the average timeline.

Missing paperwork such as planning permission certificates or building regulation approvals is a frequent issue. Title problems, such as unclear boundaries or rights of way, also slow things down.

Mortgage delays, especially where affordability is tight or lenders request additional evidence, are another major factor.

Finally, poor communication between solicitors, buyers, sellers, and estate agents can turn small issues into long delays.

Warning signs that your purchase may be stalling

Not all delays are cause for concern, but some signs suggest a problem.

Long periods with no updates, repeated requests for the same information, vague explanations about progress, or a solicitor who is difficult to contact are all red flags.

If several weeks pass with no measurable progress, it is reasonable to start asking more direct questions.

What buyers can do to speed things up

While you cannot control everything, there are steps buyers can take to reduce delays.

Instruct your solicitor immediately after your offer is accepted. Submit your mortgage application without delay. Book your survey early. Provide documents quickly when requested. Stay in regular contact with your solicitor and estate agent.

Proactive buyers often complete faster than passive ones.

When to plan your move

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is planning too early.

You should not give notice on rented accommodation, book removals, or commit to completion dates until contracts are exchanged. Until that point, delays or withdrawals are always possible.

Planning cautiously reduces stress and financial risk.

Scotland and the rest of the UK

It is worth noting that this guide focuses on England and Wales. Scotland follows a different legal system, where transactions often become binding earlier and complete more quickly once missives are concluded.

If you are buying in Scotland, timelines and risks differ.

The emotional reality of the process

Buying a house often feels slower than expected, even when everything is progressing normally. Much of the work happens behind the scenes, and buyers may feel out of control.

Understanding that delays are common, and not necessarily a sign of failure, helps manage expectations.

Most successful purchases involve at least some frustration along the way.

Final thoughts

In the UK, buying a house usually takes between 10 and 14 weeks from offer accepted to completion, although this can be shorter or significantly longer depending on the property, the chain, the mortgage, and the people involved.

The most important point is that offer acceptance is not the finish line. Exchange of contracts is the real turning point, and until then, flexibility and patience are essential.

In my experience, buyers who understand the process, act promptly, and plan cautiously are far less stressed than those who expect everything to move quickly and predictably. Knowing what is normal, and what is not, makes the journey far easier to navigate.

If you would like to explore related property guidance, you may find how long does a house move take and how long does a house survey take useful. For broader property guidance, visit our property hub.