If you are thinking about selling this spring, now is the moment to get organised. Spring often brings more buyers back into the market, but it also brings more competing listings. Buyers have choice, and they tend to move fastest when a home looks well-presented and the sale feels straightforward.
It may also feel slightly optimistic to talk about spring at the end of February. Much of the UK has had a very wet start to 2026, and persistent rain makes it harder to picture bright photographs, neat outdoor spaces, and back-to-back viewings. The good news is that you can still make strong progress indoors and, on the paperwork, so you are ready to act when the first decent spell arrives.
Plan your timings with a sensible buffer
In England and Wales, selling a home takes just five months on average, and it can take longer if you are part of a chain1.
In Scotland, the legal stage after an offer is accepted is often quicker, with conveyancing commonly taking around eight to twelve weeks, although timescales vary by property and location2.
In Northern Ireland, conveyancing from offer accepted to receiving the keys is typically around six to ten weeks, depending on the circumstances3.
These are typical ranges rather than guarantees, but they are useful for setting expectations. If you have a deadline, such as a school move or an onward purchase, it is worth building in a buffer from the start.
Make the home photograph well, because most decisions start online
Your first viewing is digital. Many buyers decide in seconds whether to enquire4.
Start with a proper declutter. Clear kitchen worktops, reduce excess furniture, and tidy hallways, bathrooms, and windowsills. Clutter makes rooms feel smaller and it photographs badly. If you are selling, you are moving, so packing early is rarely wasted effort4.
Then deal with the small faults that create doubt. Dripping taps, tired sealant, loose handles, sticking doors, scuffed paintwork, and blown bulbs are inexpensive to fix, but buyers notice them immediately. Those small issues also feed a bigger worry, which is whether there are hidden problems.
Given the amount of rain we have had already this year, it is sensible to pay attention to anything that looks like moisture. Condensation, damp marks, and musty smells put buyers on alert. If you spot issues, it is usually better to investigate and address the cause early than to hope it is overlooked and face a surprise at survey stage.
A deep clean is also worth doing properly. Focus on limescale, grout, extractor fans, skirting boards, ovens, and windows. A clean home feels maintained, and that confidence matters.
Improve kerb appeal without fighting the weather
You do not need a show garden in February. You do need a cared-for entrance.
Sweep paths, tidy bins, clean the front door, and make the approach look simple and uncluttered. If the lawn is waterlogged, avoid forcing an early mow that ruins the ground. Keep edges tidy and add colour with pots or planters instead. Buyers will forgive a garden that is not in full bloom. They are less forgiving of a frontage that looks neglected4.
Get your paperwork ready before you list
Most delays start after the offer is accepted, not before. The simplest way to reduce avoidable delays is to gather information early.
Before you market your home, you should be in a position to provide key documents and details, which may include tenure information, title details, planning and building regulation paperwork where relevant, and any guarantees or certificates for work that has been done.
An Energy Performance Certificate is also a key requirement. You must have a valid EPC in place before you market a property for sale4.
If your property is leasehold, start earlier than you think you need to. Leasehold transactions often require management information, service charge and ground rent details, buildings insurance information, and details of any planned major works. These packs can take time to obtain, and they are a common source of delay once you have agreed a sale.
Do not leave the mortgage side until the last moment
This is the part that often gets overlooked while people focus on viewings and offers.
If you have a mortgage, it is sensible to check how much you owe and whether early repayment charges apply. If you are also buying, it is worth thinking ahead about whether you will need a new mortgage, additional borrowing, or a change to your borrowing arrangements. Lenders will usually carry out affordability and credit checks for new borrowing, so keeping your finances steady in the run-up to an application can help avoid delays. Avoiding unnecessary new credit and sudden changes to financial commitments can reduce the risk of extra questions at the worst possible time.
You should also budget for the wider costs of moving, including legal fees, estate agent fees, removals, and the possibility of short-term overlap if completion dates do not align neatly.
Keep an eye on fraud risk
Property transactions involve large sums of money. It is important to verify that you are speaking to the person or firm you believe you are dealing with, and to confirm bank details independently before transferring funds. It is also sensible to be cautious about what you share on social media while a move is in progress.
The Spring 2026 takeaway
Spring can be an excellent time to sell, but it rewards preparation. If you focus on presentation, paperwork, and getting your mortgage position clear early, you reduce the chance of delays and you improve the likelihood of a smoother sale.
Even if the weather is still behaving like November, late February is a sensible time to get the foundations in place.
References:
- GOV.UK (2026). Selling a home. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/selling-a-home [Accessed 24 Feb. 2026].
- ESPC . (2024). How long does it take to sell a house in Scotland? [online] Available at: https://espc.com/news/post/how-long-does-it-take-to-sell-a-home [Accessed 24 Feb. 2026].
- propertypal.com. (2025). How Long Does the Legal Process Take? – Helpful Articles for Buyers & Sellers – News And Analysis – PropertyPal. [online] Available at: https://www.propertypal.com/news-and-analysis/legal/how-long-does-the-legal-process-take [Accessed 24 Feb. 2026].
- Rightmove Guides. (2026). Preparing your home for sale | Rightmove Guides. [online] Available at: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/guides/seller/preparing-to-sell/preparing-your-property/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2026].
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