Buying a house is a huge milestone in life. Whether it’s your first home or you’re moving again, it can feel exciting and stressful all at once. One of the biggest questions on your mind is probably: how long will it take to buy a house?
The honest answer is: it depends. The house buying process can take a few weeks or stretch out over many months. But don’t worry — knowing the steps involved and what affects the timeline will help you feel more prepared. This guide will walk you through the entire process, explain what you can expect, and help you understand why some parts might take longer than others.
Step 1: Finding the Right Property
Before you can even start the formal buying process, you need to find the property you want to buy. This can be the longest part of the journey because:
- You want a home that fits your needs and budget.
- You may view lots of properties before finding the right one.
- Sometimes, you fall in love with the very first place; other times, it takes months or even years.
What can you do to prepare?
While searching, it’s a good idea to work out your budget. Knowing how much you can spend helps you focus on realistic options and saves you time. It also helps to get a mortgage agreement in principle early on. This is a statement from a lender saying they would, in principle, lend you a certain amount. Having this shows sellers you are serious, and it speeds up later stages.
How long can this take?
Finding the right property can take anywhere from a few days to a year or more, depending on the market, your requirements, and luck.
Step 2: Making an Offer
Once you’ve found your ideal property, it’s time to make an offer. You usually do this through the estate agent who is handling the sale.
What happens next?
- The estate agent passes your offer to the seller.
- The seller can accept, reject, or negotiate.
- Sometimes, negotiations go back and forth a few times before agreeing on a price.
It is also smart to instruct a conveyancing solicitor or conveyancer at this stage. This is a legal professional who will handle the paperwork and make sure everything is done properly. If you wait too long to get a solicitor involved, you might lose precious time later.
How long can this take?
Making and agreeing on an offer usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks, but this varies depending on how quickly negotiations happen.
Step 3: Applying for a Mortgage
If you need a mortgage to buy your home, applying for one is a key step. If you already have a mortgage agreement in principle, great — you’re ahead of the game.
What do you need to do?
- Complete the full mortgage application with your chosen lender.
- Provide documents such as proof of income (pay slips, tax returns), identity proof (passport, driving licence), and details of your expenses.
- Respond quickly to any requests from your lender.
Your solicitor will usually work closely with your lender to ensure the mortgage process runs smoothly.
How long does this take?
A mortgage application can take between 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how quickly you can provide documents and how fast the lender processes your application.
Step 4: Property Survey and Valuation
Before lending you money, mortgage lenders usually require a valuation to make sure the property is worth the price you’re paying. This is different from a full survey.
You may also want to get a building survey (also called a homebuyer’s report) for your own peace of mind. This checks the property’s condition and flags any issues like damp, structural problems, or roof repairs.
Why is this important?
- It protects you from unexpected costs after buying.
- If the survey finds problems, you might negotiate a lower price or decide not to buy.
How long does this take?
A valuation usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, while a full survey might take a bit longer, depending on the surveyor’s schedule.
Step 5: Property Searches
Your solicitor will carry out various searches to check for any issues affecting the property or its location. These searches include:
- Local authority searches (planning issues, road schemes)
- Environmental searches (flood risk, contamination)
- Water and drainage searches
- Coal mining or mining searches (in some areas)
These searches can uncover problems that might affect your decision to buy or the property’s value.
How long do searches take?
Searches typically take 2 to 4 weeks, but can sometimes be delayed if local councils or other bodies are slow to respond.
Step 6: Exchange of Contracts
Once all the paperwork is done, the searches are satisfactory, and your mortgage is approved, you’re ready to exchange contracts with the seller.
What does this mean?
- You and the seller each sign a legally binding contract.
- You pay a deposit (usually 5-10% of the purchase price).
- The completion date (when you get the keys) is agreed upon.
At this point, neither party can back out without paying a penalty.
How long does it take to get to exchange?
For many buyers, this happens 6 to 10 weeks after an offer is accepted, but it depends on how quickly all previous steps are completed.
Step 7: Completion Day
Completion is the final step when the full payment is made, ownership transfers to you, and you get the keys to your new home.
Your solicitor will:
- Receive the mortgage funds from your lender.
- Transfer the money to the seller’s solicitor.
- Ensure any outstanding mortgages on the property are paid off.
- Register you as the new owner with the Land Registry.
What happens on completion day?
- You get the keys and can move in.
- Your solicitor will send any required payments like Stamp Duty Land Tax (if applicable) to HMRC.
How long after exchange does completion happen?
Completion usually takes place 1 to 4 weeks after exchange, often on a Friday.
What Can Cause Delays?
Even though this sounds straightforward, there are many reasons why the process can take longer:
Property Chains
A property chain happens when several buyers and sellers depend on each other to complete their moves. If someone in the chain delays, it holds up everyone else.
Issues in Surveys or Searches
If a survey finds major problems, or searches reveal planning issues or other risks, negotiations might need to start again or you may need to seek expert advice.
Mortgage Problems
Delays in mortgage approval or rejections can hold up the process.
Busy Solicitors or Delayed Searches
Sometimes the delay is simply due to solicitors being busy or local authorities being slow to return searches.
Complicated Legal Matters
Certain properties, such as leaseholds, shared ownership, or properties with complicated boundaries, can take longer to buy.
Typical Timeline Summary
| Step | Typical Time Taken |
| Finding a property | Days to months or years |
| Making an offer | A few days to 2 weeks |
| Mortgage application | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Property valuation/survey | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Property searches | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Exchange of contracts | 6 to 10 weeks after offer |
| Completion | 1 to 4 weeks after exchange |
Tips to Speed Up the Process
- Get your finances ready early: Have proof of income and credit details ready.
- Get a mortgage agreement in principle before you start house hunting.
- Choose a reliable, proactive solicitor who communicates well.
- Respond quickly to requests from your lender and solicitor.
- Keep documents organised and handy.
- Arrange your survey early if you want one.
- Stay patient and stay in touch with all parties involved.
Final Thoughts
Buying a house is rarely a quick process. It often takes longer than people expect, but that’s mainly because it involves many steps and checks to protect you as a buyer.
By understanding the process and the possible delays, you can be more prepared and less anxious. Remember, every property purchase is unique, and some take longer than others. But with the right preparation and support, you can make your house buying journey as smooth as possible.
