You listed your home. You waited. You crossed your fingers.
But weeks have passed – maybe even months – and all you’ve got to show for it are silent inboxes and nosy neighbours who keep asking, “Still not sold then?”
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone.
In 2025, the average time to sell a home in the UK varies massively depending on where you live. And while the national average might sit around 45 days to get an acceptable offer, the reality is, many homes stall for far longer. Especially if the price, presentation or agent isn’t quite right.
The truth is, your house might not be selling; not because of the market, but because of something you can fix.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly when to worry, what red flags to watch out for, and most importantly… what to do next.
Let’s dive in.
Estate Agent vs. Cash Buyer Sales Timelines
While estate agents can take months – sometimes up to six months or more – to secure a sale, Property Rescue typically completes in a matter of weeks. That’s the difference between missing out on your next home or securing it before someone else does.
Warning Signs That Your Home Isn’t Selling
Some listings just need a bit more time, especially ones in rural locations.
But if your house has been sitting without interest, and one or more of the below apply, it’s time to rethink your strategy:
- Zero viewings in the first 2 weeks: Red flag. You’re likely overpriced or your marketing isn’t up to scratch. In any case it means people don’t like what they see online. This could be either the listing itself of the price or a combination
- Plenty of viewings but no offers: Something’s putting buyers off once they arrive. Presentation, layout, smell, or noise could be the culprit. Your online listing might just be too good – so much so that its misleading. But the truth becomes apparent upon arrival for a viewing.
- You’ve reduced the price… and still nothing: This suggests the market has shifted or there’s a serious underlying issue with your offer.
- Negative feedback from viewers: Don’t ignore it. If buyers mention a small garden, awkward layout, or odd smell, others are likely thinking the same. Ask for specific feedback and act on it – repaint walls, fix minor repairs, or address damp issues promptly.
Consequences of Staying on the Market Too Long
If your home lingers unsold for too long, three things typically happen:
- It becomes a “stale listing”: Buyers assume there’s something wrong with the property, even if there isn’t.
- You attract bargain hunters: Expect lowball offers from buyers looking for a big discount.
- You lose out on onward purchases: Sellers won’t wait forever. If you’re in a chain, delays can derail your move entirely.
Pro Tip: If your home’s been listed for more than 12 weeks with no serious interest, it’s time to act. That doesn’t always mean dropping the price – it means re-evaluating everything from how it’s marketed to whether a traditional sale is even right for you.
Why Your House Might Not Be Selling
If your property’s been sitting on Rightmove or Zoopla without serious interest, it’s not bad luck.
There’s always a reason. Sometimes multiple.
Let’s walk through the most common culprits.
Overpricing
Most unsold homes have one thing in common: the asking price is too high relative to what’s being offered (the property)
Comparing Asking Price vs. Recent Sold Prices
Buyers today are savvy. They’re checking Land Registry data on sites like Land Registry or Zoopla, to see what similar homes nearby have sold for. If your price looks inflated, they won’t even book a viewing.
The Psychology of Buyers & Rightmove Filters
Say your house is listed at £405,000. Seems reasonable, right?
But buyers using a £400,000 max budget filter on Rightmove or Zoopla will never see it. Pricing at £399,950 instantly makes it visible to thousands more. Check your price band using Rightmove’s Property Price Advice tool to align with buyer searches.
Why Automatic Valuations Mislead Sellers
Online valuation tools can overestimate your home’s value. They don’t know the condition of your kitchen, the noisy road nearby, or the new flats going up next door.
Get 2–3 local estate agents to visit and give realistic appraisals, then cross-check against actual sold prices on Zoopla’s Sold Prices tool, not just asking prices.
Poor Presentation
You never get a second chance at a first impression.
In today’s digital-first market, that first impression usually comes through a phone screen.
Bad Photography or Missing Floorplans
If your listing photos are dark, grainy, or don’t show every room – including a floorplan – you’re losing interest before people even book a viewing.
Pro Tip: Bright, wide-angle professional shots with a full floorplan can double your clicks. Consider hiring a professional photographer.
Clutter, Décor, and Kerb Appeal Issues
Buyers need to imagine themselves living there. That’s tough if your hallway’s cluttered or the front garden’s full of weeds.
- Repaint any loud or niche-coloured walls.
- Declutter surfaces and cupboards.
- Make sure the exterior looks neat – trim hedges, paint the front door, add new house numbers.
DIY Flaws or Incomplete Renovations
Botched tiling, wonky kitchen doors, or half-finished projects raise red flags for buyers. Most people aren’t looking for a fixer-upper unless it’s priced accordingly.
Invest in minor repairs now to avoid bigger discounts later. A £500 fix could prevent a £5,000 price drop.
Wrong Estate Agent
Not all agents are created equal.
Lack of Local Insight or Poor Marketing
If your agent doesn’t know the neighbourhood or hasn’t sold similar homes nearby, they’re guessing on price – and that can cost you weeks.
Check their track record on Zoopla’s Agent Finder.
High Commission, Low Results
A 0.75%–3% commission is fine if they sell your home quickly. But if it’s been 4 months with no offers, you’re paying for nothing. Compare fees and performance on GetAgent.
Limited Portal Access
Some agents only list on one portal (e.g., Zoopla but not Rightmove). That’s like opening a shop and locking half the doors. Ensure your agent lists on both major portals for maximum exposure.
Legal or Structural Issues
Some buyers get scared off before they make an offer. Here’s why:
- Leasehold complications: Short leases (under 80 years) can deter buyers and complicate mortgages. Check your lease term and consider extending it via Leasehold Advisory Service.
- Damp, subsidence, Japanese knotweed: These are mortgage-killers unless priced lower for property investors. Get a professional survey through RICS to identify issues.
- Missing paperwork: No building regulations certificate for an extension? No completion certificate? This can delay or derail a sale. Ensure all documents are ready – check requirements on the UK Government’s website.
Awkward Location or Layout
Even the best home can struggle if external factors work against it.
- Next to commercial units or a busy road? Noise and traffic deter families.
- No parking or small garden? A dealbreaker for many.
- Poor transport links or bad school catchments? Expect less interest and lower offers.
If your home ticks any of these boxes, you’ll need to price accordingly or find a buyer who isn’t fussed about location – like Property Rescue.
Property Rescue is a property buying company that buys homes across England and Wales, quickly, regardless of location, condition, or any other off-putting traits etc.
Market Trends and Seasonal Factors
The UK property market fluctuates with seasons and economic conditions.
- Seasonal trends: Spring and autumn typically see higher buyer activity, while summer and winter can be slower. If your home’s listed in a quiet period, you may need extra marketing effort.
- Economic factors: Rising interest rates or economic uncertainty can reduce buyer confidence. Check current market insights on Rightmove’s House Price Index.
Adjust your strategy – perhaps lower your price or enhance marketing – based on these trends.
What to Do If Your House Isn’t Selling
If your home’s stuck on the market, don’t just wait it out. Here are five key steps you can take today to revive your sale – or ditch the slow route altogether.
Step 1: Reassess Your Pricing Strategy
If you’re not getting viewings, your price is a major level you can pull to change that.
Get a New Valuation from 2–3 Local Agents
You need fresh eyes. Go for agents who know your street, not national chains. Find top-rated local agents via Zoopla’s Agent Finder.
Use Sold Price Data (Not Asking Prices)
Check what nearby homes actually sold for – not what they were listed for – using Land Registry or Zoopla’s Sold Prices.
Understand Buyer Psychology
Round numbers matter. So does filtering.
If your home’s priced at £305,000, you’re missing buyers with a £300,000 max budget. Drop it to £299,950, and it’s suddenly visible to more people.
Step 2: Refresh Your Marketing
Your current listing might be putting buyers off – and you might not even realise.
Invest in Professional Photography & Staging
Buyers scroll before they call. Your listing needs to pop. That means bright, clear photos, proper staging, and tidy presentation.
Your agent will be responsible for the photos, but that doesn’t mean that you need to accept their photos if they suck.
Improve the Description & Floorplan
Is the description generic? Does it highlight the garden, parking, or EPC rating? Make it specific and benefit-led.
The floorplan should be easy to read and include dimensions – otherwise, buyers will click straight past. Check best practices on Rightmove’s Seller Advice.
Step 3: Consider a Different Estate Agent
If your agent’s not getting results, it might be time for a change.
Check Their Reviews & Success Rates
Google, Trustpilot, and local Facebook groups are goldmines for honest feedback. See how they’ve performed with similar properties.
Compare Commission Structures
Cheap isn’t always best. But if they’re charging 1.5% and you’ve had no offers for months, it’s not value for money..
Ask for Proof of Performance
Request specific examples of similar homes they’ve sold recently (as in the last 12 months). If they can’t show results, they’re probably not right for your property.
Step 4: Fix Known Issues
Whatever objections buyers keep raising, solve them – or price accordingly. Your agent should be providing a feedback loop of the commentary from viewings.
Tackle Key Objections
If buyers mention damp, low EPC ratings, or tricky access, address it upfront. A £500 fix now could stop buyers dropping their offers by £5,000 later.
Ensure you have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in the online listing, as it’s a legal requirement before selling and it’s something that buyers filter by. Don’t have one online? Your property wont show up when the filter is used. Get one here.
Offer Incentives
Cover legal fees, include appliances, or contribute towards stamp duty. These small sweeteners can help close the deal.
Improve Kerb Appeal
Tidy up the garden, repaint the front door, add shiny new house numbers – first impressions matter more than you think.
Step 5: Consider Alternative Sale Routes
Sometimes, the open market just isn’t the right fit, especially for run-down properties, or those that need to sell fast.
How Property Rescue Can Help When Your House Just Won’t Sell
Sometimes, no matter how many estate agents you’ve tried or price drops you’ve made, your house just won’t budge.
That’s where we come in.
At Property Rescue, we’ve helped thousands of UK homeowners escape slow, stressful sales – and move on with their lives. Fast.
We typically complete sales in 7–28 days, depending on your circumstances. Here’s how it works:
- Initial enquiry: Contact us via Property Rescue
- Offer: We immediately visit your property and make a juicy cash offer
- Completion: Once offer accepted, solicitors that we’ll pay for you, will handle the paperwork
- The deal is done in record time and you didn’t need to fork out a penny to get your house sold.
This option suits those who value speed and certainty.
