How Long Should It Take to Sell a House? What the First Few Weeks Should Look Like
When your home first hits the market, excitement is high. You expect enquiries, viewings, and perhaps even early offers. But what if those don’t arrive as quickly as you hoped? Understanding what a normal timeline looks like can help you stay grounded and spot early warning signs before valuable time is lost.
At Charles Bainbridge, we guide sellers through every stage of the process and we know that the first few weeks are often the most important.
1. The launch: getting the start right
The first two weeks after your property goes live are critical. This is when your listing will appear most prominently on property portals and attract the largest pool of buyers.
A strong launch includes high-quality photography, a clear floor plan, accurate pricing, and a well-written description that captures your home’s best features. If the presentation feels rushed or incomplete, it can affect initial engagement and slow momentum.
What to expect:
A spike in online views and enquiries within the first 7–10 days
Several early viewing requests if the price and photos align with buyer expectations
Constructive feedback from those first viewers to gauge market reaction
2. The first month: gauging interest
By weeks three and four, patterns begin to emerge. If you’ve had a healthy number of viewings but no offers, feedback may point to areas that need adjustment; layout, décor, or price. If enquiries have been limited from the start, the issue is more likely to be price or marketing reach.
An attentive agent will keep you informed, review activity weekly, and recommend adjustments where needed. This might mean refreshing the listing photos, tweaking the description, or, if evidence supports it, reconsidering the price point to re-engage buyers.
3. The average selling timeframe
In Canterbury and the surrounding villages, the average home takes around six to ten weeks to secure a buyer, though this varies by price range and property type. Well-priced homes often find buyers faster, while higher-value or niche properties may take longer.
It’s worth remembering that “time on market” isn’t just about the home itself, it also reflects buyer confidence, mortgage rates, and overall market conditions.
4. Signs your sale might be stalling
If you’ve had fewer than three viewings in the first three weeks, or strong online interest with little follow-up, something may be misaligned. Typical red flags include:
Viewings but no second visits or offers
Repeated feedback about price or presentation
Weeks passing without updates from your agent
The earlier these signs are recognised, the easier they are to fix.
5. Why agent communication matters most
Selling a home isn’t just about exposure, it’s about insight. A proactive agent will track enquiry levels, share buyer feedback, and review progress with you regularly. The goal isn’t to chase numbers but to understand how your property is performing in the live market and respond accordingly.
Weekly check-ins, prompt viewing reports, and transparent advice on pricing help you stay informed and confident throughout the process.
6. Moving forward with confidence
Every home sale has its own rhythm, but the right start sets the tone. Early momentum, honest feedback, and consistent communication are what turn listings into completions.