How long does it take to buy a house in 2025? Here’s what the data says
The latest data shows that UK property transactions are now taking an average of 205 days to complete¹, that’s over 6 months of waiting, leaving people vulnerable to stress, and uncertainty.
If you’re buying or selling a property, long completion times can be frustrating, especially if you’ve already found your next home or you’re keen to move quickly. While many homes go under offer faster than ever, with an average of just 36 days on the market and over half selling subject to contract within two months², the real challenge comes after the offer is accepted.
Why are property transactions taking so long?
Despite a housing market boom, the time between offer and completion has stretched to nearly seven months on average. Complex conveyancing processes, slow local authority searches, and reliance on manual paperwork all add weeks to the timeline. For many people, this means uncertainty, stress and, in some cases, lost sales.
Increased completion times makes buyers and sellers more vulnerable to gazumping or gazundering, here’s how auction can protect you.
Why more people turning to auction
In recent years, more homeowners have discovered that buying and selling by auction offers a faster, more secure alternative. Unlike traditional sales, auctions work to a 56-day completion timeframe – when the virtual hammer falls, the buyer commits with a non-refundable Reservation Fee and a legally binding agreement, reducing the risk of fall-through.
Here are some key benefits of selling your property with iamsold Auction:
- Faster completion: most auction transactions complete within 56 days, compared to the 205-day average for property sales.
- Greater certainty: buyers are financially committed from the start, giving sellers peace of mind.
- Transparent process: all interested buyers bid openly, helping you achieve the best possible price.
How the Modern Method of Auction makes it easier
The Modern Method of Auction (MMoA) combines the speed and security of traditional auction with the flexibility of online bidding. If you’re selling -this means your property can reach a wider audience, including buyers who need a mortgage. Buyers can also feel the benefits, as efficient purchases bring increased assurances that the sale will go through. Over the past decade, demand for this approach has grown significantly in line with preferences for online transactions and more choice when buying and selling property.
Thinking of selling your property quickly?
If you’re looking for a faster, more secure way to move, auction could be the right choice for you. It gives you control over timescales, certainty over the sale, and the reassurance that the process is transparent from start to finish.
To find out how much your property could achieve at auction, speak to your Estate Agent or explore properties available today.
¹ TwentyEA, June 2025 Zoopla, UK Housing Market Report, May 2025
² Zoopla, UK Housing Market Report