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Don’t Mention the C Word Yet…
Nobody wants to talk about Christmas in September.
The decorations are nowhere to be seen, the weather is warmer, and most people are thinking about the October break rather than packing boxes. But for anyone hoping to move before the end of the year, September is not too early. In fact, it may be exactly the right time to get your ducks in a row.
Many homeowners underestimate how long the moving process actually takes. They imagine listing a property, finding a buyer quickly and moving within a few weeks. Sometimes that happens, but the average UK timeline is usually much longer.
According to HomeOwners Alliance, selling a home takes around five months on average in the UK (Scotland Timeline is Shorter) from listing to completion. It can take up to 10 days between booking valuation, instructing and agent, booking in surveyors for the home report, organising professional photographs and then preparing marketing details to go live on the market, then once an offer is accepted it can be 8 to12 weeks from an offer being accepted to completion depending of course on the chain.
That means a seller who starts thinking seriously in September may only be completing in late Autumn / early winter, depending on pricing, buyer demand, the chain, mortgage progress and legal work.
Rightmove’s latest national data also shows that homes took an average of 60 days to secure a buyer in May 2026, of course that is an average across all price points, from first time buyer homes right up to properties worth several million, although many first time buyer homes and the lower to mid range value homes can go under offer within the first 2 weeks, this depends on demand, the condition and location of the property .
Then comes conveyancing where the process from offer accepted to completion typically takes 8-12 weeks. Delays can happen because of searches, surveys, mortgage issues, missing information or chain complications.
Put simply, moving before Christmas is not just about when you list. It is about when you start preparing.
A realistic timeline might look like this:
- Thinking and planning: a few weeks
- Choosing an agent and valuation: 1 to 2 weeks
- Preparing photography, paperwork and presentation: 10 days
- Finding a buyer: this varies depending on property, area, condition of the property and of course demand
- Sales progression, conveyancing and completion: 8- 12 weeks depending on the chain
This is why September matters.
Getting organised now gives you more control. You can arrange a valuation, understand your likely selling price, prepare your home, gather paperwork and speak to a solicitor before a buyer is found. These steps may not feel urgent at the beginning, but they can save valuable time later.
Paperwork is especially important. Missing certificates, unclear boundaries, planning documents or guarantees can all slow a sale down. The earlier these are checked, the easier it is to deal with any issues.
Pricing is another major factor. A home that is launched too high may sit on the market and need a reduction later. That can add weeks or months to the process. A realistic launch price gives your home a better chance of attracting serious buyers sooner.
Presentation also matters. July gives sellers a chance to make small improvements while homes often look bright and inviting. Gardens can be tidied, rooms can be decluttered, repairs can be handled, and photographs can be planned carefully.
The point is not to rush. It is to avoid leaving everything until the moment you feel under pressure.
By the time autumn arrives, many sellers suddenly realise that moving before the festive period is tighter than they expected. Those who started earlier are usually in a stronger position.
So, while we do not need to mention the C word too loudly just yet, now is a sensible time to start planning if a move before the end of the year is on your mind.
If you’re considering a move soon, WhatsApp us and one of our team will arrange a no-obligation property valuation to help you plan your next steps.
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