Those wishing to sell by Christmas should list their homes as soon as possible  

It currently takes an average of 58 days to sell a home, meaning mid-October is the key cut-off point for a pre-Christmas sale, according to recent research.

If you want to sell your home by Christmas, the latest analysis using data from the Homeowners Alliance’s, Best Estate Agent Finder tool suggests homes should be listed by Thursday, October 23.

While the time it takes to sell varies significantly depending on the local market – ranging from 32 to 71 days – analysis shows the average time to sell in 2025 is 58 days.

Regionally, the average time to sell varies significantly from 32 days in Northern Ireland to 71 days in the South West – and 62 days here in the East of England.

Homes in Glasgow are selling the fastest, taking just 22 days from listing to reach a sale subject to contract, compared with 65 days in London and 66 days in Nottingham.

Paula Higgins, chief executive of Homeowners Alliance, said: “With the leaves falling and Christmas ads already creeping onto our screens, it may feel early to mention the big day – but if moving home is on your wish list, the clock is ticking.

“The last day to list your property to be in with a chance of an agreed sale before Christmas is October 23.

“That doesn’t mean you’ll be in your new home by the end of the year – there are still plenty of hoops and hurdles along the way, especially if you’re yet to find where you want to move to.

“But having a sale secured will put you in a strong position to plan your move in the new year.

“Get ahead of the game by inviting three top-performing local estate agents to value your home.

“Compare their track records, read the reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask questions before choosing the right one.

“And here’s an extra reason not to hang about: with the Budget set for November 26, many sellers and buyers will be waiting to see if changes to housing or tax are announced.

“Beat the rush, list before the October 23 and you could be raising a glass to a successful sale this Christmas!”