Moving home: expectation vs reality

Moving home: expectation vs reality

In this speed read we look at the time taken to complete a property sale

  • Properties continue to go under offer more quickly than pre-pandemic, but the time taken to complete a sale has risen. Conveyancing delays remain a significant issue.
  • In 2019 a survey of home movers found 55% of sales completed within 3 months. This fell to 45% in 2021. Early indications from the 2022 survey suggest that the proportion has continued to drop.
  • Managing expectations is crucial. For most buyers the process takes much longer than they expect. 86% of respondents to the 2021 survey expected to complete their move within 3 months.
  • For buyers in the market now, the 'move in for Christmas' date is fast approaching.
  • Source: Dataloft, Property Academy, 2021, based on a survey of 16,000+ home movers


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Selling a home in today’s market requires experience, insight and a clear strategy. Between January and July 2026, Millbanks has successfully helped numerous homeowners and buyers across NR17, NR16 and NR9 achieve their objectives. In this article, we share our latest results, the approach behind them, and why our service continues to deliver.

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