Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant transactions people make, yet the process in England and Wales remains frustratingly slow. You find the home of your dreams, make an offer, negotiate, and agree on a price. Yet, once a sale is agreed upon, it takes an average of 118 days—nearly 17 weeks—for legal completion to take place in the UK. That’s more than four months of uncertainty, stress, and potential financial risk for both buyers and sellers.
For context, the same process took just over 10 weeks in 2007 and 7 to 8 weeks in the 1990s. Over time, delays have worsened, making the system feel increasingly outdated—especially in an era where digital solutions should be making things faster, not slower.
Adding to the frustration, nearly 1 in 4 (23.94%) UK home sales that reach the “Sold STC” (Subject to Contract) stage fall through before the legal exchange of contracts and completion.
The Key Causes of Delays
Several factors contribute to the slow pace of property transactions. Some of these are systemic, while others are due to choices made by buyers, sellers, or their representatives. Understanding these issues is the first step to minimizing delays.
1. The Outdated Conveyancing Process
Conveyancing—the legal process of transferring ownership—remains one of the biggest obstacles. Unlike in Scotland, where much of the work is done before an offer is accepted, in England and Wales, the process only begins after a sale is agreed. This means vital information is often not gathered until weeks, or even months, into the process.
The time between pre-contract enquiries and receiving replies has more than doubled since 2007, increasing from just under four weeks to nearly nine weeks. Despite advances in technology, the process remains complex and fragmented, with no signs of improvement.
2. Solicitor Workloads and Efficiency
Legal professionals handling transactions often juggle multiple sales at once. Many firms operate on tight margins, leading to overworked conveyancers who struggle to provide the level of service buyers and sellers expect. Delays in responding to enquiries or missing paperwork can add weeks to the process.
Mortgage processing times have also worsened. It now takes nearly nine weeks from instructing a conveyancer to receiving a mortgage offer—up from approximately five weeks in 2017.
3. Chain Dependencies
Property chains remain one of the most fragile elements of the buying process. A single delay anywhere along the chain can have a domino effect, derailing multiple transactions. If one party pulls out, the entire process collapses, forcing sellers and buyers to start again.
The average time from sales instruction to exchange has nearly doubled—from 71 days in 2007 to 118 days today.
4. Changing Market Conditions
Longer transaction times increase the risk that a buyer’s or seller’s circumstances will change before completion. Mortgage offers expire, interest rates shift, and job relocations happen—all of which can lead to deals falling apart. Additionally, gazumping (where a seller accepts a higher offer after initially agreeing to a sale) and gazundering(where a buyer lowers their offer at the last minute) are more likely in a prolonged process.
How Long Does Conveyancing Take in Basingstoke?
Currently, it takes an average of 54 days (just under 8 weeks) to find a buyer for a Basingstoke home (compared to 74 days nationally).
Once a sale is agreed, it takes 129 days in Basingstoke to reach completion.
By property type:
- Basingstoke flats: 156 days
- Basingstoke houses: 123 days
- Basingstoke bungalows: 123 days
These figures align with national averages.
How to Speed Up the Sales Process
While structural reform of the system is long overdue, buyers and sellers can take proactive steps to reduce delays and minimize risks.
1. Gather Information Upfront
Basingstoke sellers can significantly speed up the process by preparing key documents when they list their property:
- Order local authority searches from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
- Complete the Property Information Form and Fixtures and Fittings List.
- Gather necessary warranties, guarantees, and building regulation approvals.
While this involves a small upfront cost, it prevents delays and strengthens a seller’s position—especially if multiple buyers are interested.
2. Choose a Proactive Basingstoke Solicitor
Not all solicitors work at the same speed. Basingstoke buyers and sellers should choose a solicitor based on efficiency, not just price. Online reviews and recommendations from experienced estate agents can help identify firms that handle transactions efficiently.
A proactive solicitor who requests documents in advance, communicates clearly, and follows up on outstanding tasks without needing to be chased can shave weeks off the process. If you need solicitor recommendations in Basingstoke, feel free to reach out.
3. Tailor the Selling Strategy
Not all Basingstoke homes should be sold the same way. Traditional estate agency methods work for most properties, but if speed is a priority, alternative approaches—such as auctions or the modern method of auction—may be worth considering. Auctions complete much faster and eliminate the uncertainty of a long, drawn-out conveyancing process.
Sellers should weigh up whether achieving the highest possible price is worth months of additional holding costs, mortgage payments, and risk of fall-throughs.
4. Consider an Exclusivity Agreement
One of the biggest frustrations for buyers and sellers is the lack of certainty after an offer is accepted. An exclusivity agreement (or reservation agreement)—where both parties commit to proceeding with the sale in good faith for a set period—can provide security and reduce the risk of gazumping or gazundering.
Looking to the Future
The time it takes to buy and sell a home in Basingstoke is a persistent problem, one that has worsened over the years. While there’s no quick fix, those who take a proactive approach—by preparing early, choosing the right professionals, and considering alternative selling strategies—can significantly reduce the risk of delays and failed transactions.
Until broader reforms are introduced, taking control of the process is the best way to avoid months of uncertainty. Whether buying or selling, being prepared and making informed choices will always yield better results.
For those navigating the property market in Basingstoke, local expertise and proactive planning can make all the difference. Feel free to reach out for advice—without any obligation or cost.
