How to sell a house
in the UK

The eight stages, in order

1. 01

   Decide why you're selling

   Sounds obvious, but the answer drives everything else — price, timeline, agent type, even how you handle the first low offer. A relocation with a job start date is a different sale to a downsize you've been thinking about for two years.

2. 02

   Get a realistic value, not a flattering one

   Three valuations from three local agents is still the most reliable starting point. The highest one is almost never the right one — agents sometimes over-quote to win the instruction, then push for a reduction six weeks later.

   Use the free valuation tool
3. 03

   Pick an agent on evidence, not charm

   Look at sale-vs-asking ratio, average days to sold, and how many of their last ten listings actually completed. Charm sells the instruction. Data sells the house.

   Compare local agents
4. 04

   Sort the legal pack early

   Instruct a conveyancer the day you list. Most fall-throughs we see are caused by paperwork delays, not buyer cold feet. Title, leasehold info pack, TA6 and TA10 — get them ready before you have a buyer.

   Conveyancing guide
5. 05

   Photos, EPC, listing copy

   Nine times out of ten the photos are doing the heavy lifting on Rightmove. Insist on a proper photographer, not a phone walk-through. EPC is a legal requirement before marketing.

   EPC explained
6. 06

   Handle offers and the chain

   First offer is rarely the best, and the highest offer is rarely the most likely to complete. Proceedability — cash, mortgage in principle, chain length — usually matters more than another £5k on the price.

7. 07

   Survey, searches, enquiries

   Expect 6–12 weeks of solicitor back-and-forth. Reply to enquiries within 48 hours. The seller who drags their feet on a one-line question is the seller whose buyer walks.

   Types of survey
8. 08

   Exchange and complete

   Exchange is the legally binding moment — completion is usually 1–4 weeks later. Book removals on the day exchange is confirmed, not before.

   Removals cost calculator

Sub-pillars going deeper

Three companion pages each handle one part of the sale in proper depth.

Common questions

How long does it take to sell a house in the UK?

From listing to completion, the UK average sits around five to six months. Listing to a sale agreed is usually 4–10 weeks; sale agreed to completion is another 12–16 weeks. Cash buyers and chain-free flats can shave 4–8 weeks off the back end.

Do I need an estate agent to sell my house?

No, you can sell privately or through an auction, but more than 90% of UK home moves still go through an agent. The reason is simple: agents control buyer reach via Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket, all of which are closed to private sellers.

What are the upfront costs of selling?

EPC if you don't already have one (£60–£120), conveyancer's deposit (often £200–£300), and any pre-sale work you choose to do. Most other costs — agent commission, the rest of the conveyancing bill, removals — are paid on or around completion.

Can I sell my house and buy at the same time?

Yes, and most movers do — it's called a chain. The trick is timing your offer on the next house so it lines up with your sale agreed. Bridging finance is available but expensive; most sellers wait for an offer first.

What's the biggest mistake first-time sellers make?

Pricing too high, then chasing the market down. A house listed 10% over its real value typically sits, gets one or two low offers, then drops twice. Selling at the right price first time almost always nets more than starting high.