Putting your home on the market is rarely quick and simple. For many sellers, it can take far longer than expected.
In 2025, the average time to sell a listed property ranged from between 59 and 77 days, according to the latest Rightmove data.
The good news, though, is that now might be an excellent time to put your four walls on the market.
Data from the property site also indicates asking prices have jumped 2.8% (approx £10,000) in January, marking the largest increase since June 2025 and the biggest January bump in 25 years.
Rightmove data also shows that February and March are the months to list your homes, with the highest number of homes listed in these months making it to completion.
Of course, the length of time to sell a house depends on the length of your chain, but there are certainly things you can do to hook a potential buyer while the market is in your favour.
With spring comes better weather. More natural sunlight will make your home look its best. Plants and flowers start to bloom, which increases curb appeal and will make gardens and outdoor space more desirable to buyers.
One or two bedroom flats are popular with young couples and first time buyers, and they might be more interested to buy in January and February, whilst larger family homes might move quickly in the spring or autumn, but may not do so well in the busy summer holidays, as families will have less time for viewings.
Clear the clutter
It might sound simple, but it’s true: you really do need to clear up your clutter.
This year there are more homes on the market than buyers. So if you’ve decided to sell, get ready to face a lot of competition and accept that you may have work to do to make your place more attractive to potential buyers.
With that in mind, it’s time to get rid of those excessive trinkets – even including photographs and various personal items that make the home look cluttered. This will also help when you’re ready to move out.
When potential buyers view your home, they want to imagine themselves living there, and it’s hard to do that if the property shows the chaos of your family life.
That’s not to say you need to depersonalise, but removing clutter and making everywhere tidy will get every viewing off to the best possible start.
Paint the walls
Get the paintbrushes out: it’s officially time to stop ignoring those little marks on the wall. You don’t need to completely try out a new colour scheme to make a difference, but a little touch-up is always welcome.
Daily life leaves scratches and marks on walls and painted surfaces. Taking the time to fill any cracks in the plaster and give the walls a fresh coat of paint will pay big dividends when you’re selling – it’s an effective way to make your home look well cared for, more inviting and more vibrant.
Make any necessary repairs
It’s true: that dodgy door handle or pesky plumbing issue needs addressing, rather than sweeping under the carpet.
You might’ve been putting off these odd jobs for years, but now is the time to put them back on your to-do list.
Any minor maintenance issues or make any repairs that need doing. This could mean fixing a dripping tap or oiling a door’s hinges to stop it squeaking.
Buying a home is stressful, and you want prospective buyers to feel reassured that if they choose yours, they won’t have a lot of problems to fix right away. There’s no harm in getting the tool kit out.
Clean like your life depends on it
It’s time for a deep clean, and not just for the estate agent photos. A home that’s completely free of dirt goes a long way at the point of viewing, too – so it’s time to be reunited with your rubber gloves.
Deep clean your home, so it looks and feels fresh. Most buyers decide whether or not to make an offer after only spending around 10 minutes in the property. You need to make that time count, and ensuring your home is sparkling clean is the first step to impressing potential buyers.
Remember, not all estate agents are created equal
Your choice of estate agent can mean the difference between selling your home quickly and weeks or even months’ worth of anxiously waiting by the phone, waiting for a call.
When looking for an estate agent, make sure to read reviews, research their qualifications and experience, and ask anyone you know who has used their services for their impressions, it also helps if they’re a member of a professional organisation like Propertymark or PRS, as this means they will follow a code of conduct.
Don’t judge agents solely on how much commission they charge or what valuation they give for your home. Agents who are proactive and can demonstrate clearly all the steps they’ll take to sell your home are the most likely to provide a good service and get you the best price.
Get your documents ready
Make sure you gather all the relevant and necessary paperwork before you’ve even put the house on the market, so it’s all in place ready for a speedy sale. ‘Proof of identity is an easy one, but other documents might be harder to find.
Your Land Registry title documents would have been sent to you by your solicitor when you purchased the house, but you can check with your mortgage company or Land Registry and request a copy if you can’t find them.
If you bought the house within the last 10 years, you’ll need your Energy Performance Certificate, and for new builds or properties under ten years old you’ll need your Buildmark or other new home warranty documents.
Gas checks need to be carried out by a Gas Safe certified engineer, and if you’ve altered the wiring in the property since January 2005 you must, by law, obtain a Part P Building Regulation Certificate, which proves that electrical work meets standards, so your solicitor can pass it onto the buyer.
If you’ve had new windows fitted since you bought the property, you’ll need to prove that they comply with building regulations with a FENSA or CERTASS certificate.
If you have a flat, in many cases, reaching out to the block management and freeholder to obtain relevant documents and information packs can save weeks and sometimes months on the conveyancing process.
Should you be selling a home in a trust or following probate you will need to ensure all documents and paperwork are complete for the sale.
Accepting the best offer
When faced with multiple offers, it might seem that the obvious choice is to take the highest bid, but there are other factors to consider.
Choosing a buyer who is least likely to pull out and is able to move the quickest, might be a better offer, even if their bid is slightly lower. Your highest bidder could be a nightmare who is impossible to get hold of and pulls out at the last minute because they don’t have the money to back up the offer.
Always take a minute to think about your options rather than automatically going for the top offer. Your agent should carry out their due diligence before presenting offers to you, ensuring mortgage offers and any chains are confirmed etc.
