How long does it take to sell a house in Scotland?

Looking to sell your property? Read our blog and find out how long it takes to sell your property in Scotland usings different methods. We will also look into the factors affecting a house sale and tips on selling your home faster. 

How long does it take to sell your home in Scotland?

The average home sale in Scotland takes around 20 weeks, which is 140 days. This is almost half a year?! Before we look any further let us clarify that this timeline includes the full process: from listing the property, to accepting an offer, going through conveyancing and then finally the completion (handing over the keys to the new owners). The reason for the process to take so long is because it’s quite a complicated one. Let’s break it down into smaller steps. 

Stages of selling Your Property and Their Timeframes

Selling Stage	Time Taken
Preparing home report and EPC	1 - 2 weeks
Listing the property with an estate agent	1 - 3 days
Receiving an offer	5 - 14 weeks
The conveyancing and mortgage application process	12 - 16 weeks
Exchange to completion	1 - 28 days
Total time taken	17 - 30 weeks

Home Report and EPC

Before you can start advertising your property, you need to make sure that you have a Home Report. This report includes a single survey, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a property questionnaire, all of which are legally required in order to sell a property in Scotland and usually take 1 to 2 weeks to prepare.  You will also need to prepare some additional documents for the sale of your property.

Listing Your Property with an Estate Agent 

Once you decide which estate agent you want to list your property with, they will normally come out to your home and take photos for marketing purposes.

From Listing Your Property to Having an Offer Accepted: the Viewing Stage 

This stage of selling your home with an estate agent is the longest and most stressful one, especially if you live there.

You will have to spruce up some imperfections, with the attempt to make your property more appealing to potential buyers. The house needs to be clean and tidy at all times so you are ready for viewings. 

The duration of this stage can vary greatly, from a few days in a hot market to several weeks or even months in slower conditions. 

Once there is a potential buyer who is interested in the property, they will submit a formal offer through their solicitor. 

Conveyancing and Mortgage Application

After an offer is accepted, the conveyancing process begins. The buyer's solicitor will check the title deeds, conduct local authority searches, and raise any necessary enquiries. Simultaneously, if required, the buyer will formally apply for their mortgage. The seller's solicitor will respond to enquiries and prepare the transfer documents. This stage typically takes 4-10 weeks but can be longer if complications arise.

Exchange and Completion 

On the completion date, the buyer's solicitor transfers the funds to the seller's solicitor, and in return, receives the transfer documents and keys. This date is usually set for a few weeks after the conclusion of conveyancing, allowing time for final preparations.

Each of these stages contributes to the overall timeline of selling a property in Scotland. While some sellers may experience a quick sale in just a couple of months, others might find the process takes several months even up to a year, particularly if the market is slow or if complexities arise during the conveyancing process.

Factors that can affect the speed of your house sale 

The duration of a property sale can vary significantly based on a multitude of factors.

Property Characteristics

Property-specific elements play a crucial role. Location is paramount; homes in desirable areas often sell faster than those in less sought-after locations. The type of property also influences selling time; for instance, family homes in good school areas sell faster due to high demand. The construction type of your property can also play a big role in how fast it will sell. Properties of non-standard construction are more difficult to get a mortgage on and therefore less desirable by homebuyers.

Property Condition

The condition of the property is equally important; well-maintained homes typically attract more interest and sell quicker than those requiring extensive repairs.

Market Conditions

Market conditions significantly impact selling times. Supply and demand dynamics in your local area can accelerate or slow down sales; a shortage of similar properties can speed up your sale, while an abundance of options may extend the process. 

Broader economic factors, such as interest rates, employment levels, and overall economic health, influence buyer confidence and their ability to secure mortgages. 

Seasonal trends also play a role in the Scottish market; spring and early autumn often see increased activity, while the market typically slows during the winter holidays.

A broken property chain

A house chain is a series of connected property transactions. Chains occur when one home buyer is also relying on the sale of their own property before they can move. This creates a chain of linked house purchases, where each transaction relies on the success of every other transaction in the chain.

Therefore, a broken chain can significantly delay or even ruin your property sale as you will need to find a new buyer for your property. House chains are a very common, with 9 out 10 property purchases being in a chain. 

Delays with the conveyancing process

Delays with solicitors or conveyancers can also impact timelines. Issues such as slow responses to queries, complications with title deeds, or disputes over property boundaries can all extend the conveyancing process.

Delays due to mortgage applications 

Delays in arranging mortgages can affect selling times, particularly in a chain situation. If a buyer encounters difficulties securing a mortgage, perhaps due to stricter lending criteria or issues with the property valuation, this can slow down the entire process. In some cases, sellers might need to wait for buyers to find alternative financing or may even need to re-market the property if the sale falls through.

It’s important for sellers to understand these factors and set realistic expectations and potentially take steps to mitigate delays where possible. What happens if you don’t have 20 weeks to wait until you sell your property?

Tips for a quick house sale in Scotland

An alternative to selling your property with estate agents is selling it to us: Express House Buyers Scotland.

We have a pool of vetted cash buyers, ready to buy your property in any condition, with no need for renovation. Our fastest sale only took 7 days to complete! We provide a fair, honest, and hassle-free experience for homeowners looking to sell their properties quickly. No endless viewings, uncertain offers and buyers pulling out at the last minute.

If you are looking to sell your property fast and stress-free, fill in the form below and we will be in touch. 

In summary, the amount of time it takes to sell your house can vary greatly and will often depend on factors that you have no control over. 

If you are looking to sell your property on the open market, be prepared for a long process. If you want to avoid all the hassle, get in touch with you and we will help sell your home in a matter of days.