The moving process does not have a fixed timeline but the average time to moving house is between 8 and 22 weeks depending on the circumstances. Many different factors can determine how long it takes and this can differ from one sale to the next. These factors can cause delays such as the result of a survey or problems with the chain. However, moving house can prove challenging and frustrating. From the moment you begin searching for your new home to the moment you get the keys, it all takes time and the process cannot be rushed. So, how long does it take to move house and how soon can you get the keys and begin that new chapter in your life?
Average Time to Move a House
On average you can expect to move into your new house within 8 to 22 weeks, though this can vary dramatically depending upon various factors involved. If you are buying a vacant house as a cash buyer with no chains involved, then you could get the keys to your new house in as little as 6 weeks. However, this is a very rare position to be in and for most people, it will be more complex and take longer.
Key Stages When Moving
Mortgage Approval – 5 days to 8 weeks
The process of getting a mortgage on your new property can be relatively quick as this can be done in a few days. However, you do need to find a lender when it comes to financing your new house and you will need to make sure that you can obtain the funding. Therefore, part of the process will involve getting a mortgage in principle. To get this, you will need payslips, your P60 as well proof of your savings and all other documentation. The lender will then offer an agreement in principle. After this, if you are happy with the offer and want to go ahead, you can then begin the process of approval this can take a few weeks although it can be quick if there are no issues.
House Sale – 4 to 10 weeks
Ideally, you should sell your house before you put an offer in on another property. You have several options when it comes to selling your home and this can include using an estate agent, selling it privately or using a house-buying scheme. The process of selling your home usually takes place through an estate agent where you will need to agree on a selling fee. They will also take care of viewings and negotiations. Selling privately can help to keep down fees although some online estate agents sit between selling privately and using a high street estate agent. So, you can sell your home quickly through a buying scheme which can take days but selling through the traditional routes can take around 4 to 10 weeks.
What can slow down a house sale?
Incomplete documentation – sometimes documentation gets lost or misfiled, which can lead to your house sale being slowed down. Before you start trying to sell your house, make sure that you have all your paperwork in good order.
Issues discovered during the survey – houses may have damp, or structural issues that are revealed under survey. This will cause delays while buyers seek advice, or renegotiate.
Market conditions – the speed of your sale will be dependent upon the state of the property market. If the market is very slow, then your sale will be slower, and you may have to reduce the price.
Finding a House – 1 to 10 weeks
Finding your next property is an exciting part of the process and can take up to ten weeks. The time it takes does depend on what you are looking for from your new house as well as the properties that are on the market. How soon you find that house is mainly down to you but there are some other factors at play. From the location to the neighbourhood and the type of property. You have to make sure you get it right because it is vital that you find a new property that offers everything you are looking for.
Making an Offer – 1 to 2 weeks
Once you have found a new property, you have to make an offer. Once you make an offer, it doesn’t take long to get a response as the estate agent and seller are likely to want to make sure that you don’t find another property in the meantime. However, when you do find a property and make an offer, you should make sure that the seller takes it off the market and that the offer is subject to a survey.
Securing Your Mortgage – 2 – 4 weeks
With your offer accepted, you are now preparing yourself for the moving process. Therefore, you will now need to secure your mortgage. You would have had an offer in principle or even accepted but you still need to inform the lender of how much you are purchasing the property for and how much you need to borrow. This might have changed based on the original mortgage request. Furthermore, before you move house, the mortgage provider will also need a mortgage valuation survey which can take around two weeks.
Conveyancing – 8 to 12 weeks
Conveyancing is the longest part of the process when it comes to purchasing a house. Your legal team will take care of handling the finer details of the process which will include the contract and working with the other party. There will be a lot of conversations and queries but they will all lead to the eventual sale and purchase. It is something that will take place in the background and you won’t be involved in everything but you can expect the process to take anything from 8 to 12 weeks.
House Survey and Inspection – 1 to 3 weeks
This is a crucial part of the process but it doesn’t take as long as other parts. This will involve carrying out an inspection on the property you are purchasing as it will enable you to determine whether there are any issues that need addressing and what the costs will be. Good surveyors will be booked out so it helps to compare surveyors and choose one that has a good reputation.
Moving In – 1 day to 2 weeks
The time it takes is dependent on the number of belongings you have to move and how much assistance you have. As a result, you could be moved in one day or it could take two weeks. The packing and unpacking take a lot of time as well as dismantling and reassembling furniture.
Factors that Could Delay the Process
Legal or Financial Issues
You should make sure that you have a conveyancer or a conveyancing solicitor that you can rely on to help handle the process. If they have experience, they should be able to move the process along efficiently and correctly. However, they may find legal issues with the property that need to be resolved before you can proceed. Equally, financial issues, such as a change to the base rate could affect your mortgage offer, which can also cause delays.
Survey Report
The report from your survey could return some surprise results and that could put a halt to the process. If you have to renegotiate the offer, this could take time or you might need to get additional advice.
Property Chain
In most cases, the time it takes to move house is dependent on the chain. This means that the purchase and sale of properties are linked, so if one of the sales falls through, it could have an impact on your sale. If there is a delay at some point in the chain then you can expect things to slow down slightly.
Mortgage Approval Delay
The conveyancing process can be held up if you are waiting for a mortgage offer to come through. This is likely if your existing offer has expired as they usually only last for three to six months.
External Factors
External factors can affect your sale and purchase. Your buyers could have personal problems, your solicitor could go off sick, and world events could disrupt the financial markets. Be prepared to be flexible during this time, and try to react quickly to any changes.
Common Delays
Delays in Conveyancing
As part of the conveyancing process, your conveyancer will need to order property searches from certain authorities. The time this takes will be dependent on the authorities and how busy they are.
Chain Issues
One of the most common reasons for delays is issues within the chain. Property chains are notoriously complicated and can collapse. The longer the chain the bigger the risk, so always bear this in mind when you are accepting or placing offers on houses.
Gazumping and Gazundering
Even though you might have had an offer accepted, your seller could accept a higher offer from someone else which is known as gazumping. This could delay the process as you might need to make a new offer or the sale could fall through. Gazundering is where the buyer lowers their offer at the last minute, which means you may have to accept a lower offer or pull out entirely.
Inefficient Removal Services
In order for you to complete on the agreed date, you must have physically moved out of your house. If you are unable to secure removal services this will be impossible. Always make sure you book your removal services ahead of time and keep communicating with your removal companies so that you are guaranteed the correct date.
Unforeseen Legal or Financial Issues
Sometimes legal or financial issues arise that cause unexpected delays. Always make sure you are in communication with your solicitor so that you are aware of any issues. Equally, make sure you are in communication with your mortgage broker, to ensure that all the financials are in place in good time.
Tips to Speed Up The Process
While some delays may be outside your control, there are things you can do to speed up the process.
Get Mortgage Approval Early
Make sure you get your mortgage approved in good time. Getting a mortgage in principle is a good start, and then you can adjust the figures once you know the exact amount you will need to borrow.
Arrange Property Surveys Promptly
Arrange your property survey quickly. You can choose to have a full survey carried out to check the structure of the property, and your mortgage company will need to carry out a survey, though this can sometimes just be a drive-by.
Choose a Conveyancer
When you put your house up for sale you should put a legal team in place then instead of waiting for an offer to be made. You can then provide them with everything they need beforehand, helping to speed up the process. A conveyancer will be more aware of any issues that may affect your sale and purchase. Make sure you choose a reputable professional so that all the paperwork is dealt with promptly.
Avoid a Property Chain if Possible
Sometimes chains are unavoidable, but, if possible, try and limit the length of the chain. You may decide to break the chain by moving into rented or with family after your sale, which will put you in a stronger position for your purchase. Bear in mind that if you are in a chain, then the longer the chain the greater the risk of the chain collapsing. Short chains are more stable than long chains.
Need Help To Move House?
If you are looking to move home then it pays to use a company that you can trust. At Excalibur Removals, we can help with all aspects of the move including packing, transporting, and helping you to settle into your new home. Our team is experienced in all moves which means that we know exactly what is required of us when it comes to helping you move house. If you are looking for a professional removal company, look no further. Excalibur Removals are here to provide a professional, flexible and personal removal service for you. Make sure you get in touch with us in good time. Even if you don’t have a completion date yet, it is always best to discuss provisional plans with us, beforehand, then make sure you keep us updated about any changes to the timeline. To discuss your forthcoming move with us, simply contact us today.