January is traditionally one of the busiest months for property searches, as people kickstart goals for a fresh beginning and clearer horizons, especially in the housing market, where a Christmas often drives renewed interest from buyers ready to take action in the year ahead.  

Whether you’re planning to list your property, find your next home, or both, understanding realistic timescales is essential, particularly if you’re aiming to be under offer in time for spring 2026. Here’s a breakdown of typical journey times based on latest 2025 market data, and what actions to take now to keep your move on track.

How Long Did Moves Really Take in 2025?

From Listing to Sale Agreed

According to Zoopla’s year-end data, the average UK home took around 38 days from listing to being sold subject to contract (under offer) in 2025, up slightly from the previous year. That average hides regional and property-type variations, homes in parts of Scotland moved fastest (around 13–15 days), whereas many areas in England and Wales took closer to three weeks (23 days) on average. 

In practical terms:

• Fast-moving markets (e.g., parts of Scotland): 2 weeks

• Typical England & Wales markets: 3–6 weeks

• Slower or high-demand areas (e.g., larger homes or higher-value locations): can take longer

Tip: Properties that are priced realistically and marketed well typically go under offer faster. Homes that need price reductions or linger on listings often take significantly longer to attract offers and peak interest.  

Once You’re Under Offer: Conveyancing & Exchange

Getting under offer is a major milestone, but from that point you enter the conveyancing and legal process, where your solicitor, buyer, lender, and searches all play a part. On average, this phase takes:

• 12–16 weeks for conveyancing and mortgage administration

• 1–4 weeks between exchange of contracts and completion

Altogether, that’s typically another 4–5 months from offer acceptance to handing over keys, subject to the smooth progression of surveys, searches, and legal checks. 

Putting that in perspective:

• Under offer by mid-late February 2026 → likely completion by early summer 2026

• Under offer in March → expect closure late spring/early summer

What This Means If You’re Targeting Spring 2026

To realistically get under offer by March/April 2026, here’s the timeline you should be working to:

January — Plan & Prepare

• Arrange a valuation and agree pricing strategy.

• Collate necessary documentation (EPC, title deeds, recent improvements).

• Get professional photographs, floorplans, and a marketing campaign together.

February — Go Live & Field Offers

• Launch your listing early — homes often see strong interest early in the year.

• Be prepared to review offers quickly and respond with clarity.

March — Target to Be Under Offer

• If offers are agreed by this point, you can then embark on the conveyancing journey with confidence.

April–June — Conveyancing & Completion

• This window typically gives enough time for surveys, searches, mortgage offers, and legal work before exchange and completion — just in time for warmer weather and longer days.

Next Steps If You’re Considering a Move

For Sellers:

• Get a professional valuation and a bespoke sales strategy ASAP.

• Work with an agent who knows current buyer demand and pricing dynamics.

For Buyers:

• Be mortgage-ready with an agreement in principle before viewing — sellers are increasingly choosing buyers who can move quickly.

• Understand local market timescales so you can align your offer with realistic closing periods.

For Both:

• Factor in conveyancing lead times early — salons can sometimes be a bottleneck.

• Communicate openly with your agent and solicitor to avoid delays.

If moving by spring 2026 is your goal, the key is to start strong in January, build momentum through February, and position yourself to be under offer by early March, allowing enough runway for conveyancing and completion before summer.

Timing, preparation, and professional guidance will make your 2026 move feel less like a marathon and more like a well-paced journey toward a fresh start.

Ready to make your New Year move a reality? Reach out to arrange a no-obligation valuation or to discuss tailored moving strategies, your spring home goals are within reach.