How long does it take to sell and buy a property in 2025?

It is one of the first questions people ask, and the honest answer is, it depends on various factors. There are solicitors, lenders, surveyors, agents and whole chains of buyers and sellers all trying to move at the same time. If nobody is really “in charge” of that process, a sale can easily drift to 16 weeks or more from offer agreed to completion.

What actually happens after you accept an offer?

Once you have agreed a price, the hard work quietly begins.

Contracts need to be drawn up, searches ordered, surveys booked, mortgages approved and questions answered between both solicitors. At the same time, everyone in the chain is trying to line up their own dates and paperwork.

If nobody is chasing this, it is very easy for files to sit untouched and for updates to slow down. That is when weeks start to slip by.

Where do the delays come from?

Most delays are not dramatic, they are small things that build up over time. For example:

• Paperwork sitting in an inbox because someone is busy.
• Searches and survey reports taking longer than expected.
• Lenders asking for extra documents.
• People in the chain not really knowing what they are waiting for.

On their own these do not sound huge, but when no one is managing them, your move can stall very quickly.

How sales progression changes things

A sales progressor works like a project manager for your move. They keep everyone talking, check what is outstanding and push each stage along so it does not go quiet. Instead of you trying to chase five different people, you have one dedicated point of contact who knows your sale inside out.

• Check in with both solicitors and keep an eye on searches, enquiries and contracts
• Speak to buyers, sellers and other agents to see exactly where each part of the chain is up to
• Spot issues early and help find solutions before they turn into last minute crises
• Keep you updated in plain language so you always know what is happening next

Because they do this all day, every day, they know who to call, what to ask and how to get things moving again if it starts to slow down. That level of focus is often what brings a move in around the 8-14 week mark, rather than dragging on with no clear end in sight.

Why it feels so different for you

With strong sales progression in place, the experience of moving home changes.

Instead of:

• Long silences and no idea what is happening

you get:

• Regular, simple updates and clear expectations

Instead of:

• Feeling like you have to chase everyone yourself

you get:

• Someone whose job is to do that for you

And instead of:

• Last minute panics when problems appear

you get:

• Most issues are picked up and dealt with much earlier

You still have decisions to make, but you are guided through them with context and support, rather than left to figure it out alone.

In summary

There will never be a one size fits all answer to how long it takes to sell and buy in Birmingham, because every chain and every property is different. What does make a huge difference is how well the sale is managed once the offer is agreed.

An in house sales progression team keeps your move organised, keeps everyone accountable and keeps you informed. Less guesswork, fewer surprises, and a much better chance of getting from offer to completion in a smooth, controlled way rather than watching the weeks quietly slip by.

Want to see how our Sales Progression team keeps a tricky chain together in real life? Read our Blythsford Road case study to see how Sales Progressor Jason helped our client navigate a difficult chain and keep everything on track.