Want to sell your home by Christmas?

If you want to sell your home by Christmas, our latest analysis using data from our Best Estate Agent Finder reveals that it currently takes an average of 58 days to sell a home, meaning mid-October is the key cut-off point for a pre-Christmas sale.

Bear in mind the time it takes to sell varies significantly depending on your local market ranging from 32 to 71 days, with the overall average sitting at 58 days.

• Homeowners in the UK wanting to sell by Christmas will need to list their homes for sale by Thursday 23^rd October.
• Analysis shows the average time to sell in 2025 is 58 days.
• Regionally, the average time to sell varies significantly from 32 days in Northern Ireland to 71 days in the South West of England with homes in the North generally selling faster than those in the South.
• Homes in Glasgow are selling the fastest, taking just 22 days from listing to reach a sale subject to contract, compared with 65 days in London and 66 days in Nottingham.

Average days to sell in 2025 by region and city

Commenting on the data, Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of HomeOwners Alliance, which hosts the Best Estate Agent Finder tool, said:

“With the leaves falling and Christmas ads already creeping onto our screens, it may feel early to mention the big day – but if moving home is on your wish list, the clock is ticking. The last day to list your property to be in with a chance of an agreed sale before Christmas is 23rd October.

That doesn’t mean you’ll be in your new home by the end of the year – there are still plenty of hoops and hurdles along the way, especially if you’re yet to find where you want to move to. But having a sale secured will put you in a strong position to plan your move in the New Year.

Get ahead of the game by inviting three top-performing local estate agents to value your home. Compare their track records, read the reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask questions before choosing the right one.

And here’s an extra reason not to hang about: with the Budget set for 26th November, many sellers and buyers will be waiting to see if changes to housing or tax are announced. Beat the rush, list before the 23rd, and you could be raising a glass to a successful sale this Christmas. 

6 tips to speed up your sale

1. Find a great estate agent. A good starting point is Best Estate Agent Finder, which ranks your local estate agents by how successful they are at selling homes like yours quickly and at asking price. You can also compare their customer reviews before inviting them to do a house visit and provide a valuation.
2. Set a realistic asking price.  A good place to get an idea of how much you can expect to sell for is to look at our instant online valuation tool for a low, high and average valuation.  A good local estate agent will also be able to advise on what similar properties have sold for in your area. Estate agents with a track-record of achieving asking price are the most likely to be giving realistic valuations to their customers.
3. Get the best deal. Before you sign on the dotted line, check the terms of the estate agent’s contract carefully. This guide will explain the difference between the different contract terms while this guide explains how much you should pay and how to negotiate.

4.  Set up your solicitor. Instruct a conveyancing solicitor early and start pulling paperwork together now if you want to secure a quick sale.

5.  Get your house ready for sale. If there are any issues that might come up in a survey and delay the move, consider fixing them now. And as the winter months approach, make sure your home doesn’t look too dark and cold. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune – think about how to lighten things up with lamps, candles and mirrors.

6.  Choose the right buyer – everyone wants to get the best price, but if you want to sell quickly as well, then opt for a chain-free buyer (such as a first time or cash buyer) who isn’t relying on selling their home to buy yours.

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