Buying or selling a home is often 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, it takes an average of 118 days—nearly 17 weeks—for legal completion to take place for a home in the UK. That’s over four months of uncertainty, stress, and potential financial risk for buyers and sellers alike.
To put that into perspective, the same process took just over 10 weeks in 2007 and 7 to 8 weeks in the 1990s. The delays have continued to worsen over time, making the system feel increasingly outdated in an era where digital solutions should be making things faster, not slower.
Also, nearly 1 in 4 (23.94%) UK homes that have a sale agreed (Sold STC) fall through before legal exchange of contracts and completion.
Key Causes of Delays
Several factors contribute to the sluggish pace of property transactions. Some of these issues are systemic, while others stem from choices made by buyers, sellers, or their representatives. Understanding them is the first step to minimizing delays.
1. The Outdated Conveyancing Process
The legal process of transferring ownership—conveyancing—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, rising from just under four weeks to nearly nine weeks. Despite improvements in technology, the process remains complex and fragmented, with no signs of timelines decreasing.
2. Solicitor Workloads and Efficiency
The legal professionals handling transactions often work with high caseloads, balancing 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 ripple outward, derailing multiple transactions. If one party pulls out, the entire process collapses, forcing sellers and buyers to start again.
The average time for sales instruction to exchange has nearly doubled, increasing from just over 10 weeks (71 days) in 2007 to nearly 17 weeks (118 days) today.
One bright spot for conveyancing is the search process, which has improved—reducing from just over two weeks to approximately one and a half weeks. However, this is of little consolation when nearly every other part of the process has slowed down.
4. Changing Market Conditions
Longer transaction times increase the risk that a buyer’s or seller’s circumstances change before completion. Mortgage offers expire, interest rates shift, job relocations happen—all of which can lead to deals falling apart.
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 also far more likely in a drawn-out process.
How Long Does it Take to Complete Sales Conveyancing in Southampton?
Before answering that, it’s currently taking 64 days (just over 9 weeks) on average to find a buyer for a Southampton home (national average: 74 days).
Once a sale is agreed, it takes 129 days in Southampton to complete the transaction.
When breaking down the conveyancing times by property type:
- Southampton flats: 149 days
- Southampton houses: 123 days
- Southampton bungalows: 139 days
These figures are all in line with national averages.
How to Speed Up the Sales Process
While structural reform of the system is long overdue, buyers and sellers can take several steps to reduce delays and avoid getting stuck in limbo.
1. Gather Information Upfront
Southampton sellers can dramatically speed up the process by preparing key documents as soon as they list their property. This includes:
- Ordering local authority searches from Southampton City Council when the home goes on the market.
- Completing your Property Information Form and Fixtures and Fittings List.
- Gathering any necessary guarantees, warranties, and building regulation approvals.
Although this involves a small upfront cost, it prevents delays and strengthens a seller’s position—especially in competitive markets with multiple buyers.
2. Choose a Proactive Southampton Solicitor
Not all solicitors operate at the same speed. Southampton buyers and sellers should select a legal professional based on efficiency, not just price. Online reviews and recommendations from experienced estate agents can help identify firms that handle transactions promptly.
A proactive solicitor who:
- Requests documents in advance
- Maintains clear communication
- Follows up on outstanding tasks without being chased
can shave weeks off the process. If you need recommendations for the best solicitors for conveyancing in Southampton, feel free to drop me a message.
3. Tailor the Selling Strategy for Your Southampton Home
Not all Southampton homes should be sold the same way. While traditional estate agency works well for most properties, alternatives like traditional auctions or the modern method of auction may be worth considering for those prioritizing speed.
Auction transactions:
- Complete much faster
- Eliminate uncertainty
- Avoid drawn-out conveyancing delays
Sellers must decide whether achieving the highest possible price is worth months of additional holding costs, mortgage payments, and risk of fall-throughs.
4. Consider Using an Exclusivity Agreement
One of the biggest frustrations for both buyers and sellers is the lack of certainty once an offer is accepted. An exclusivity agreement (or reservation agreement) ensures both parties commit to proceeding with the sale in good faith for a set period.
This can help prevent:
- Gazumping (seller accepting a higher offer last-minute)
- Gazundering (buyer lowering their offer last-minute)
Looking to the Future
The length of time it takes to buy and sell a home in Southampton has worsened over the years. While there is no quick fix, taking 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 wider government 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 in Southampton navigating the property market, local expertise and proactive planning can make all the difference in achieving a smooth and successful transaction.
📞 Need advice? Feel free to call me and discuss your property sale—no obligation or cost!
