How Long Does It Take To Move House?

The property relocation process is an undeniably exciting time for home movers, whether you’re moving into your first house, or you’ve moved many times before. However, moving home in 2022 is proving a little more difficult, with completion times up by 50% according to the most recent report published by Rightmove. If you’re hoping to get settled in by December, and tuck into your Christmas feast in your brand-new dining room, the time to act is now!

The Road to Completion

Although the property market has recovered well since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Savills stating that house price growth is “the strongest in 18 years, with little prospect of slowing”, the road to completion remains long and arduous. Rightmove claim that the sales process from offer acceptance to exchange now takes over 150 days rather than the 100 days it used to take in 2019.

Why Is Moving Taking So Long?

Over the past 2 years, there have been several factors that have led to a backlog of home movers in the market. The initial influx of people looking for a new property which was more suited to their lifestyle during and after the pandemic added a huge number of buyers and sellers to the market. This was swiftly followed by the Stamp Duty holiday which ended in 2021, causing a race to complete before the deadline to save thousands on tax. Low supply and high demand in many markets across the UK has also meant that time on the market for properties has significantly decreased, leading to an accelerated pipeline of completions for conveyancers and the Land Registry to process.

The end of the Help To Buy equity loan scheme for homebuyers in October this year has again left first-time purchasers in a rush to move quickly in the first half of 2022, thereby adding to the backlog of delays. As the pandemic is becoming a decreasing threat to the stability of the property market and life as we know it, and with apt precautions now in place to deal with a similar global scenario, home movers have emerged in their droves to search for a new home. In fact, demand is still far outstripping supply, making the valuable services of estate agents, conveyancers and solicitors more elusive.

What Should Home-Movers Do?

If you’re considering moving and hope to be settled into your new home by the festive season, there’s no time like the present to start your property search. With property taking an average of 150 days to exchange, we’re urging buyers to start their purchasing processes sooner rather than later. Remember, this 150-day period does not include the time it will take to find your perfect home, list your existing property, sort out your financial situation prior to placing an offer, and physically moving your belongings once your purchase is complete.

The same can be said for those hoping to offload any investment properties – Centrick advise that you list your property soon to take advantage of the fantastic state of the property market. With demand far outstripping supply, vendors can expect to receive multiple competitive offers on their property. The Guardian recently reported that house prices in June were at an all-time high, but there’s no telling how long this will last. We advise that vendors list their property as soon as they are able to if the desire to move home is imminent, to achieve the best price and experience a less stressful sales process.

Upping Sticks This Winter?

Moving house during Britain’s frostiest season can be challenging, and not just because the array of annual holidays taking place at this time of year that may demand your attention. Bank holidays and the ‘Christmas shutdown’ mean that estate agents, conveyancers and solicitors have much less time available to process transactions over the Winter holidays, which can lead to an already lengthy process stretching out even further. Similarly, for those hoping to stock up on furnishings for their new home, winter prices can be higher, with the value of items soaring as Christmas and its tradition of gift-giving ensues – although you may be able to take advantage of some January sales! There can also be delays in deliveries and challenges in booking removal services at this time of year.

If you are planning a winter move, there are things you can do to prepare and improve your experience. Make sure your property is prepared for sale before you instruct an estate agent, patch up any paint, tidy up the outdoor spaces and clear away any clutter to get your home photo ready. Once you’ve found your dream property, instruct a solicitor as quickly as possible and ensure you have any required documents on hand for mortgage applications and conveyancers. Moving house can be a stressful and uncertain time, but plan as much as you can in advance – if you have furniture to buy, make sure you order it early – most vendors will hold off delivery until your move in date if you request this service. Finally, carry out your due diligence when it comes to instructing your estate agent. Choose a partner with a strong track record, who is familiar with the areas you are selling and buying in – we have a plethora of resources available on our blog to help you with this selection process.

Where to Start?

At Centrick, we have an abundance of properties available across Birmingham, Nottingham, Solihull and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a characterful resale property, or a new build property with all of the latest amenities, Centrick has something for every person that’s moving house.

Looking for advice on listing your home for sale before you secure your onward purchase? Check out our blog on how to sell your home here, or contact our friendly sales team using the form below, and let’s get you on the road to ‘sold’!

Written By

Jenna Coghlan

Job Title

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