The home-buying process in England step by step: offer, conveyancer, searches, exchange and completion, and how long it takes
Published: Last checked: October 20265 min read
Short answer
Buying a home in England takes about 5 months on average, longer in a chain. An offer is not legally binding until contracts are exchanged; after exchange, pulling out means compensation or losing your deposit. The steps are preparing, offering, conveyancing, tax, exchange and completion.
In short
- This post is general information, not legal, financial or tax advice. It is based on GOV.UK and other official pages as they were on 18 October 2026 and applies to England; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules and taxes.
- According to GOV.UK, buying a home in England and Wales takes about 5 months on average, longer if you are in a chain of linked sales. Scotland and Northern Ireland work differently.
- The steps: getting your borrowing and mortgage ready, choosing a home, making an offer, conveyancing, paying tax, exchange of contracts and completion.
- The key rule: your offer is not legally binding until contracts are exchanged.
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Official sources
This answer is based on the pages below. Check the source yourself before you decide.
- GOV.UK: Buying a home
- GOV.UK: Making an offer
- GOV.UK: Transferring ownership (conveyancing)
- GOV.UK: How to buy a home (guide, 2019)
- GOV.UK: Registering land or property with HM Land Registry
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