The leaves are turning, the days are shorter, and Christmas is on the horizon. For many people, the idea of being settled in a new home before the holidays is a dream. Imagine decorating a fresh living room for the first time, or welcoming family into a bigger kitchen just in time for Christmas dinner.
But is there really enough time left to sell and move before the end of the year?
The short answer: yes, it’s possible, but you’ll need to act fast.
In this guide, we’ll break down how long moving really takes, share practical steps to speed things up, explain why autumn buyers are often the most committed, and show how Whitegates can help you hit your festive deadline.
How Long Does It Really Take to Sell and Move?
Selling a property is not a one-step process. From listing your home to completion, there are several stages, and understanding them is key if you’re hoping to move before Christmas.
According to the Rightmove House Price Index, the average time to find a buyer is 62 days. But when a property is priced correctly, it can sell in just 32 days. Overpriced listings, however, can sit on the market for 99 days or longer before attracting serious offers.
Once you’ve found a buyer, the transaction moves into the legal and financial phase:
- Listing to offer accepted: 4–6 weeks
- Offer to exchange of contracts: 6–8 weeks (conveyancing, surveys, mortgage checks)
- Exchange to completion: 1–2 weeks
That gives a total of 10–16 weeks from start to finish.
The HomeOwners Alliance advises listing by mid-to-late October if you want a realistic shot at completing before Christmas. After that point, unless you secure a chain-free or cash buyer, your move will probably roll into January.
Delays can extend timelines further. Rightmove has warned that in some cases, sales can take as long as seven months from listing to completion. That’s why speed and preparation are critical.
What You Can Do Now to Speed Things Up
If you’re serious about moving before Christmas, you need to focus on preparation, speed, and making the right choices. Here’s how:
1. Instruct a Solicitor Immediately
One of the most common causes of delay is conveyancing. Many sellers wait until they have an offer before contacting a solicitor, but that can waste weeks. Instruct one as soon as you decide to sell.
Prepare documents now, including:
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Proof of ID
- Title deeds
- Planning permissions and guarantees
Being “contract ready” can shave weeks off your timeline.
2. Price Your Property Accurately
Overpricing is the quickest way to stall a sale. Serious buyers know the market, and inflated prices often mean fewer viewings and inevitable reductions later.
At Whitegates, our valuations are based on live data from Rightmove, Zoopla, and Land Registry figures. We make sure your home is priced to sell, not to sit.
3. Present Your Home at Its Best
First impressions matter. Online and in-person, buyers decide within moments whether a property is right for them. Tidy gardens, fresh paint in neutral tones, professional photography, and clutter-free rooms can all make a big difference.
In autumn, lean into the season: warm lighting, cosy interiors, and even subtle festive touches help buyers picture themselves celebrating Christmas in your home.
4. Choose the Right Buyer
The highest offer isn’t always the best choice when time is short. A chain-free first-time buyer or a cash buyer is often a safer bet than someone offering more money but tied to a long chain.
Whitegates agents will help you assess each buyer’s position, so you can choose the one most likely to complete before December.
5. Stay Responsive and Flexible
Every delay adds up. Respond quickly to queries from solicitors, surveyors, and your agent. Flexibility on completion dates and small compromises along the way can keep the sale on track.
Why Autumn Buyers Are Serious and Ready to Act
One of the biggest advantages of selling in autumn is that buyers at this time of year are typically more focused. Unlike the casual browsers of spring, autumn movers tend to have clear deadlines and motivations.
Zoopla’s research shows that September and October are the second busiest months for sales-agreed, behind only spring. The difference is that autumn buyers usually have firm reasons to move quickly:
- New jobs starting in January.
- Families wanting to be settled before the next school term.
- Seasonal goals, from spending Christmas in a new home to starting the new year fresh.
There’s also less competition in autumn. Property Price Advice highlights that fewer listings mean your property has a better chance of standing out.
Motivated buyers and reduced competition? That’s why autumn can be the golden window to sell.
How Whitegates Helps You Hit Your Deadline
Selling before Christmas is about more than just finding a buyer. It’s about keeping momentum, managing the chain, and solving problems before they become roadblocks. That’s where Whitegates makes the difference.
Here’s how our teams help you move faster:
- Accurate, data-led valuations that attract buyers quickly.
- High-quality marketing with professional photography and listings on Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket.
- Buyer qualification to ensure offers come from people who are financially ready.
- Chain management – constant communication with solicitors, surveyors, and lenders to keep everything moving.
- Local expertise combined with the strength of a trusted national brand.
Our role isn’t just to sell your home. It’s to guide you through the process from start to finish, minimising delays and keeping your festive move on track.
Why Waiting Until the New Year Could Cost You
It might feel easier to wait until January to list your property, but there are downsides:
- More competition: Spring brings a flood of new listings, so your home may struggle to stand out.
- Less urgency: Many buyers in spring are browsers rather than committed movers.
- Changing financial conditions: Mortgage rates and affordability could shift by the new year.
Selling now means you benefit from motivated autumn buyers and reduced competition — and you might just move before the holidays.
Final Thoughts: There’s Still Time
The festive season is coming fast, but the window to move before Christmas isn’t closed yet. With motivated buyers in the market, a clear plan, and the right estate agent, it’s still possible to sell and move before the year ends.
At Whitegates, we pride ourselves on combining local knowledge, national strength, and proactive chain management to keep sales moving and stress to a minimum.
If you’re ready to get moving, don’t wait.
Arrange your free market appraisal with Whitegates today, and take the first step towards celebrating Christmas in your new home.
