Autumn is one of the busiest times of the year in the property world. The summer holidays are over, routines are back in place, and many people want to be settled before Christmas. If you’re hoping to hang your stockings in a new home this year, the countdown has already begun.

The good news is that moving before Christmas is possible, but you’ll need to understand the timeline, get your home market-ready quickly, and work with the right support team. In this guide, we’ll explain the typical timeframes, share top tips to speed things up, and show you how EweMove helps buyers and sellers keep the process smooth from start to finish.

How Long Does Selling and Buying Take?

One of the most common questions movers ask is: “Can I really complete before Christmas if I start now?”

The answer is yes, if you’re prepared. On average, the process from offer to completion takes 10–16 weeks. That includes the legal checks, mortgage approvals, surveys, and contract exchanges.

• Mortgage approvals: 2–6 weeks depending on your lender (MoneySavingExpert).
• Searches: 2–6 weeks depending on the local authority (Law Society Gazette).
• Surveys: Typically booked within 1–3 weeks after offer acceptance.
• Completion: Usually 1–2 weeks after contracts are exchanged.

That means if you begin in September or October, you’re just about on schedule to complete before Christmas, provided you avoid unnecessary delays.

Top Tips for Getting Your Home Market-Ready, Fast

First impressions matter. A buyer’s decision is often shaped in the first few moments of viewing your home, whether online or in person. With time tight, here’s how to get your property market-ready quickly:

Declutter and Depersonalise

Pack away personal items, bulky furniture, and excess décor. This helps rooms feel bigger and allows buyers to imagine themselves living there.

Freshen Up Key Spaces

A quick coat of neutral paint in hallways or living rooms can make your home feel brighter. Fix small repairs like dripping taps or scuffed skirting boards — buyers notice these details.

Boost Kerb Appeal

Sweep paths, tidy gardens, and clean front doors and windows. According to Rightmove, listings with attractive exterior photos generate significantly more buyer enquiries.

Light and Warmth

Autumn days get shorter, so make sure your home feels warm and well-lit. Lamps, candles, and cosy throws can all help create that welcoming atmosphere.

Professional Photos

High-quality images help your property stand out online, which is where the majority of buyers start their search. At EweMove, we provide professional marketing as standard.

Why Autumn Buyers Are More Motivated

Spring may be known as the “classic” selling season, but autumn is when motivation peaks. Here’s why:

• The Christmas Deadline: Buyers are eager to move in before the festivities. Rightmove data shows buyer enquiries were 15% higher in early autumn compared with the same time the previous year.
• Less Window-Shopping: Unlike the busy summer market, autumn buyers are usually more serious, they’ve already done their research and are ready to act.
• Family Timing: Parents want to settle before the new school term in January, making autumn particularly busy for family homes.
• Fewer Competing Listings: With fewer properties on the market than in spring, your home has a better chance of standing out.

Avoiding Delays with Legal and Mortgage Steps

Even motivated buyers and sellers can be caught out by paperwork delays. The good news is there are practical steps you can take to keep things moving.

Instruct Your Solicitor Early

Don’t wait until you’ve accepted an offer to find a solicitor. Appoint them as soon as your property goes on the market (if selling) or the moment your offer is accepted (if buying). This saves weeks at the start of the process.

Get Your Mortgage Agreement in Principle

Buyers who have a mortgage in principle are taken more seriously by sellers, and it speeds up the process once an offer is made.

Prepare Documents in Advance

Sellers should gather EPC certificates, warranties, and leasehold paperwork (if relevant). Buyers should line up proof of deposit, ID, and lender paperwork.

Stay Responsive

The Conveyancing Association warns that delays in returning paperwork add an average of three weeks to transactions. Reply quickly to requests from solicitors, lenders, and agents to avoid bottlenecks.

How EweMove Helps Smooth the Path

At EweMove, we understand that speed matters, but so does strategy. Here’s how we help sellers and buyers move before Christmas:

24/7 Service

We’re available around the clock, meaning enquiries and offers never sit unanswered overnight or over the weekend.

Professional Marketing

From professional photography to compelling property descriptions, we make sure your home gets noticed fast.

Buyer Matching

We maintain a database of motivated buyers actively looking in your area. As soon as your home is listed, we can connect it with potential buyers.

Transparent Communication

We keep you updated every step of the way, no chasing required. Our proactive approach to liaising with solicitors and lenders helps prevent unnecessary delays.

Local Knowledge, National Reach

As part of a nationwide network with strong local estate agents, we combine wide-reaching marketing power with community insight.

A Realistic Timeline for an Autumn Move

Here’s how a typical autumn transaction could look if everything runs smoothly:

• Week 1–2: Property listed, viewings arranged, offers accepted.
• Week 2–3: Solicitors instructed, mortgage application submitted, searches ordered.
• Week 4–6: Survey conducted, mortgage offer issued, initial enquiries answered.
• Week 7–9: Final contract checks, remaining enquiries resolved.
• Week 10–12: Exchange of contracts and completion scheduled.

This 12-week timeline is achievable with motivated buyers and sellers, proactive solicitors, and the right support team.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Yes, moving before Christmas can feel like a race against time. But the rewards are worth it:

• Unpack boxes by the glow of fairy lights in your new living room.
• Host Christmas dinner in your new home.
• Start January with a fresh chapter and no uncertainty hanging over you.

For sellers, completing before the quieter winter months can also help secure a better price, as demand often dips in January.

Book Your Free Home Valuation with EweMove

If you’re serious about moving this autumn, now is the time to act. With proactive support, expert marketing, and round-the-clock service, EweMove helps you sell quickly and smoothly, so you can be celebrating Christmas in a new home.

Book your free home valuation today and take the first step towards your festive move.