How Many Viewings are Needed Sell a House? (UK Average)

Thinking about selling your home and wondering how many people will traipse through before someone says, “we’ll take it”?

You’re not alone.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how many viewings most UK homes need before getting an offer – and what to do if you’re getting viewings but no buyers.

Let’s dive in.

What’s the Average Number of Viewings to Sell a House in the UK?

General Trends and Data

On average, it takes 8 to 15 viewings before a home in the UK receives a suitable offer, according to data from Rightmove and Zoopla. This range varies depending on factors like location, price, and property condition.

At Property Rescue, we sell thousands of properties across the UK, many of which are recently refurbished. Our well-presented homes often need around 10 viewings to secure an acceptable offer. Condition matters – a lot.

Estate agents, like Chancellors, report slightly higher averages, closer to 12–15 viewings, often due to a broader mix of properties, including those needing work. 

More important than viewings, though, is the time it takes to find a committed buyer.

Zoopla says that the UK average is 45 days from listing to STC (Subject to Contract), which means a buyer was found. But remember, after STC, it can take another 4-6 months to complete the sale and hand over the keys.

But averages hide variation. Not all properties sell at the same pace.

For example, rural homes often take longer. In Wales (including areas like Blaenau Gwent), the average is 57 days due to lower demand and longer travel times for viewings. Meanwhile, urban hotspots like Edinburgh and Glasgow average just 18 days, thanks to high demand and limited supply.

In the North of England, cities like Manchester (19 days) and Leeds (around 40 days) benefit from affordable prices and growing populations. But in high-end areas like Kensington and Chelsea, London, expect around 61 days. High prices and complex buyer requirements, like specific property features or investment criteria, narrow the buyer pool.

What’s the takeaway? Viewings are just one piece of the puzzle. Price, condition, and strategy are what really drive sales.

Differences by Property Type and Region

London: A mixed bag. One-bedroom flats often sell quickly with around 17 viewings on average across the UK, especially for first-time buyers. High-end homes, though, can need more due to a smaller pool of wealthy buyers.

Rural Locations: Expect more viewings—fewer buyers and longer travel times mean slower sales.

Flats vs. Detached Homes: Flats in city centres often sell faster (with fewer viewings needed), especially for young professionals. Detached or larger homes might require more, as they attract families or affluent buyers with specific needs.

Factors Affecting Viewings and Sales Speed

If you’re not getting the viewings you expected, a few tweaks can help. Price it right from the start. 

Overpriced homes linger longer. 

Spruce up the place: declutter, fix minor issues, and get professional photos to stand out on Zoopla or Rightmove. 

In 2025, with rising supply in many areas, buyers have more choice, so realistic pricing and great presentation are key to speeding things up. If delays hit (like searches or chains), chat with your solicitor and estate agent early to keep momentum.

Why Some Homes Sit Without Offers

Here are the four biggest reasons homes linger:

1. Poor Online Listing: Grainy photos or no floorplan? Buyers will swipe past faster than you can say “next”.
2. Overpricing: Even £5,000 too high can make your home invisible on price filters.
3. Hard-to-Arrange Viewings: If you’re only free for an hour on Tuesdays, you’re missing out.
4. Weak Marketing: Some agents just list and pray. You need someone pushing your home on portals, social media, email, and local networks.

Why Am I Getting Viewings But No Offers?

Getting footfall but no offers? That’s a red flag. Here’s why it happens and how to fix it.

Top Reasons Buyers Walk Away

If you’ve had 10+ viewings and no offers, one of these is likely the culprit:

1. Price Doesn’t Match Value
   Buyers compare your home to others in the area. If your price feels steep for the condition or location, they’ll walk. For example, a three-bed semi in Manchester priced at £350,000 might compete with newer builds at £340,000. Check sold prices on Rightmove to gauge your market.
2. Layout or Size Issues
   That “third bedroom” that’s really a cupboard? Or a kitchen too cramped for the price? Buyers notice. They’re viewing your home alongside others, so it has to stack up.
3. Outdated or Tired Property
   Dated decor – think avocado bathroom suites or peeling wallpaper – can make buyers mentally subtract £££ from what the property is worth. Small fixes, like fresh paint or new grout, can make a big difference.
4. Negative Surroundings
   Noisy neighbours, an unkempt street, or tricky parking can kill interest. Buyers might not say it outright, but these things matter.

The Role of Feedback (Don’t Skip This)

Ask your agent for detailed feedback after every viewing. Look for patterns, like:

• “Feels overpriced.”
• “Needs too much work.”
• “Layout’s not practical.”
• “Area feels off.”

If you hear the same gripe three times, it’s not random – it’s a problem to fix.

How Virtual Tours Impact Viewings

Virtual tours are changing the game. Many buyers now expect a 3D walkthrough or video tour before booking a physical viewing. Zoopla reports that listings with virtual tours get 20% more interest and can reduce physical viewings by 30%, as buyers can filter out unsuitable properties online. 

This again shows you that the number of viewings isn’t important. Less viewings could mean that you’ve done an excellent job of filtering tire kickers from serious buyers. What really matters is the time offer accepted.

Try out these tips

• Invest in a professional virtual tour – many estate agents offer this as standard or as a paid extra
• Highlight the tour in your listing on Rightmove or Zoopla.
• Ensure it’s high-quality, with smooth navigation and clear visuals.

Virtual tours attract serious buyers, cutting down on time-wasters.

Seasonal Trends in Viewings

The time of year can make a big difference to how much interest your property gets. Here’s a guide to what you can expect for a typical UK listing in 2025, based on Zoopla’s market insights:

Spring (March–May): The top season for house hunting. You’ll likely see the highest interest as families aim to move before summer, boosted by better weather and longer days. Families and first-time buyers are out in force, especially in urban areas such as Manchester or Leeds.

Summer (June–August): Things cool off a bit, especially in July and August, when holidays slow down viewings. June still draws decent interest, though, particularly for flats in city centres like London. Expect steady but reduced activity compared to spring.

Autumn (September–October): A strong second-busiest season. Buyers return after summer, keen to move before year-end, leading to solid interest. This is a great time for detached homes in suburban areas like Surrey or Cheshire.

Winter (December–January): The quietest period, with December seeing the least activity due to the festive season. But January picks up with the “Boxing Day bounce”—a surge in online searches on Zoopla and Rightmove as buyers kick off the new year.

Plan your listing for spring or autumn to maximise interest. Rural properties, like those in Wales, may see less seasonal variation due to lower demand, while urban hotspots like Edinburgh thrive in peak seasons.

Increasing Quality Viewings

More viewings don’t always mean more interest. The goal is quality viewings from serious buyers, not just viewings from vaguely interested parties.

To achieve this you need:

• A desirable property
• Presented clearly and accurately 
• Benefits and features communicated 

The clearer you online listing communicates whats on offer, via the media and text, the better aligned your viewings will be.

Conversely, low quality viewings will come off the back of misrepresenting the property online, in such a way that buyers will easily see its undesirable traits as soon as they show up for the viewing.

Tip: be clear. 

• Only got one parking space? Don’t hide it. Why host viewings for people who absolutely need two spaces? A waste of time for everyone. 
• Got mold in the bathroom that’s not visible in the online pics? Get it properly sorted before anyone comes round to see the property, otherwise you’re inviting tire kickers.
• It’s not about getting viewings, it’s about getting offers.

Prepare the Property Properly

First impressions are everything. Before anyone steps through your door:

• Declutter: Clear surfaces, floors, and bulky furniture. Space sells.
• Deep Clean: Focus on kitchens, bathrooms, and windows. Sparkle wins.
• Minor Repairs: Fix dripping taps, squeaky doors, or chipped paint.
• Kerb Appeal: Tidy the garden, weed the drive, and scrub the front door.
• Light It Up: Open curtains, use warm LED bulbs, and clean lampshades.

Consider staging – either DIY or professional. Even virtual staging (digitally adding furniture) can boost clicks. Check out staging tips from the Home Staging Association.

Nail the Pricing

Overpricing is the top reason homes linger.

Here’s how to get it right:

• Get valuations from three estate agents. Don’t just pick the highest – go with the average.
• Compare your home to similar properties on Rightmove and Zoopla, focusing on sold prices, not just asking prices.
• Price competitively to spark interest. A slightly lower price can trigger bidding wars from more invested buyers who have set their heart on the property.

You don’t have to accept the asking price, but a high starting point scares buyers off.

Professional Presentation

Your online listing is your shop window. Make it shine:

• Professional Photos: Smartphone snaps won’t do. Hire a pro.
• Floorplan: Buyers want to see the layout before booking.
• Killer Description: Highlight benefits, not just features. Think “sun-soaked garden perfect for barbecues” over “large garden”.
• Highlight Upgrades: Mention new boilers, renovated bathrooms, or off-street parking.

When You Should Rethink Your Asking Price

A strong asking price does two things:

1. Pulls in serious buyers fast.
2. Keeps your home from sitting too long, which can spook buyers.

Red Flags to Watch For

If any of these ring true, reassess your price:

• 10+ viewings with no offers.
• Feedback consistently mentions “overpriced”.
• Other listings in your area are selling faster.
• Your home’s been on the market over 90 days.

Consider a £5,000–£10,000 price drop to hit new Rightmove price bands and attract fresh eyes. Tiny cuts like £1,000 look desperate and don’t shift search filters.

Can You Sell a House With Zero Viewings?

Yes, it’s possible to sell without a single viewing.

How? By selling to a cash house buyer like us at Property Rescue.

Here’s why it works:

1. No Showings or Staging: We’ll buy as-is, even if your home needs a full refit.
2. Fast Offers: We can make a formal cash offer within 24 hours and complete in as little as 7 days.
3. No Chain: Skip the wait for lenders, surveys, or jittery buyers.
4. Perfect for Tough Situations: Ideal for repossession risks, inherited properties, divorce, tricky tenants, relocation, or broken chains.

Selling to a cash buyer won’t always get you top market value, but it’s the fastest, least stressful option. 

If you’re getting viewings but no offers, dig into feedback and fix issues like price or condition. Struggling? A cash buyer could be your shortcut to a quick sale.

Our team at Property Rescue can help you. Get a free, no-obligation cash offer today.