Good morning.

So, I’m in the middle of a property deal right now... and it’s been dragging on for nearly 7 months. Yep, seven.

And guess what? We’re still not done. At this rate, I’ll have aged a decade by the time we complete.

Naturally, I got curious (and slightly frustrated) — how long is this supposed to take, anyway?

Turns out, the average time from a property being listed to completion in the UK is 179 days. That’s just shy of 6 months. So technically, I’ve already missed the deadline on being average. Brilliant.

Now let’s hop across the pond for a moment. In the US, the same process takes around 53 days. Fifty. Three. Days. That’s basically a long holiday and a couple of admin emails later, and boom — deal done.

So what gives? Why is the UK moving at the speed of a dial-up connection, and more importantly, what can you do to avoid falling into the same slow lane?

Let’s dive in.

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Time Is Money: Why Property Deals Move So Slowly (And How to Beat the System)

What happens when you’ve got the capital and the data to choose the right property — but you haven’t factored in the time aspect of the deal?

Most of us switch to default mode: we go through the motions, handing over documents to brokers, banks, and solicitors without thinking twice.

But I’ve come to realise that ‘time’ is actually the biggest resource drain. From sourcing the deal, inspecting the property, and negotiating the price — you eventually find yourself waiting on the bank’s timeline, submitting documents as and when requested.

So why does it take long in the UK

One of the biggest frustrations in the property buying process is how outdated and fragmented it still is.

Conveyancing remains a major bottleneck, often slowed down by under-resourced teams relying on legacy systems that can’t keep up with today’s demand.

Add to that the inefficiencies within lenders — manual affordability checks and lack of integration between systems cause unnecessary delays, leaving buyers stuck in limbo.

Communication gaps between estate agents and solicitors only compound the issue, with updates falling through the cracks and buyers left chasing progress.

And while many enter the process with high hopes, the reality can be sobering — 57% of buyers expect to complete within two months, but the actual timeline is often far longer.

The system is due for a serious rethink, especially for investors where time quite literally means money.

But i’m not leaving you without a solution…….I promise.

Stay ready

There are promising signs on the horizon. While the system isn’t perfect, technology is improving — and fast.

Some innovations already being trialled include:

• Open Banking – speeding up income verification

• AI Conveyancers – used by forward-thinking legal firms

• One-Click Digital Onboarding – ID and AML checks completed in minutes

So yes, the system is what it is — but it’s evolving. And that’s good news.

But here’s the thing: even as tech catches up, you still need to be ahead of the curve.

Your Time Advantage Checklist

1. Pre-qualify early
Before you even view a property, get your Decision in Principle (DIP) sorted.
You might think you need a property first — but getting your DIP upfront saves time and shows you're serious.

2. Have your docs ready
Keep these on hand and ready to go:

• ID

• Payslips

• Tax returns

• Mortgage history

• Proof of deposit

• Company paperwork (if buying through a company)

Being prepared speeds up every stage of the process.

3. Know your numbers
Use data to narrow your search before bidding. Don’t waste time chasing poor deals.
Once you’ve found the right property:

• Call the lender

• Make your offer

• Share a screenshot of your deposit + DIP

It’s a power move — and it works.

4. Use the right broker
A good broker is gold. A bad one? Drains your time and energy.

Here are my recommendations who are really bridging the gap between capital and your the next property purchase.

• Adina Fetche - Is an independent Credit Broker with access to almost 200 lenders across the UK. Adina really understands the importance of speed

• David Griffith - He’s been in the game the longest has expertise experience. Anything complex, he will find an solution.

• Sonali Khadabadi - Mortgage specialist working with Barclays. She’s a great communicator and will really do all the pushing from inside Barclays

5. Keep a deal folder
Have a single folder with all your legal and financial docs.
When something’s needed, send it instantly — no scrambling. This one habit can save you days.

My thoughts ……….

The UK property system might be stuck in the past—but that doesn’t mean you have to be.

Yes, there are parts of the process that are out of your control. But how you prepare, who you work with, and how fast you can move when the time comes? That’s all you.

Technology is catching up, but for now, speed still belongs to the prepared. So get your house in order (pun intended), stay proactive, and give yourself the edge.

Because when the right deal lands in front of you—you’ll want time on your side.

Tip Of The Week

“In a competitive market, the winners aren’t always the ones with the most money — they’re the ones who can move the fastest.”