How to create speed in a slow market when 200-day transactions are the norm 

Unlocking faster transactions through method of sale

With property transactions routinely taking more than 200 days^ to complete, agents are facing stalled pipelines, delayed payments and frustrated clients. We know that maximising pipeline turn and delivering results for clients are the top priorities for any branch targeting growth, and that they key to unlocking both is method of sale. 

Your agency can give sellers more control over their timescale by recommending the right method of sale from the outset. Auction can offer 56-day completions*, and a 95% success rate, getting you paid quicker, and client moving faster. Here’s what you can do to introduce auction as an alterative method of sale to your clients who want speed in a slow market.  

Introduce auction earlier 

Auction should not be reserved for properties that have struggled through months of unsuccessful marketing. Introducing it during the initial valuation conversation gives sellers a genuine choice based on their priorities. 

If speed, security or a clear completion date matters to the seller, auction could offer a more suitable route from day one. Discussing the option early also helps to challenge outdated perceptions and position auction as part of a modern agency’s everyday toolkit. 

Match the method to the seller’s timescale 

If your seller is relocating, managing an inherited property, selling an investment or working towards an onward purchase, then speed is essential. Where time is a priority, auction can provide a defined transaction journey, with fixed timescales that help sellers plan their next step with greater confidence. 

Use auction to revive slow-moving stock 

Reviewing existing stock regularly can help you identify properties that may benefit from a change in strategy, to make sure there’s no loss in momentum. Moving to auction can create a fresh sense of urgency, reach motivated buyers and give the seller a clearer route towards completion. 

Create urgency without losing value 

Speed does not have to mean settling for the first available offer. Competitive bidding can help establish the property’s true market value, while a clear auction end date gives buyers a reason to act. 

This combination of competition and urgency can be particularly valuable in a slower market, helping to turn buyer interest into committed action. 

Give sellers greater certainty 

Time is not the only challenge with lengthy Private Treaty transactions. The uncertainty of not knowing whether a sale will go through or be a fall-through can be just as difficult for sellers. 

With auction, buyers commit to the purchase within a structured process and work towards a fixed completion timescale. This helps reduce the risk of delays and fall-throughs, giving sellers greater visibility over when their move is likely to happen. 

One of our buyers described their speedy completion experience: “I was really impressed with the service. They were the most helpful people throughout the process of buying my first home, especially when it came to clear communication and friendly, regular updates. They kept everything on track and made what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. The purchase even completed a week ahead of schedule.” 

When 200-day transactions are the norm, agents need more than one way to help people move. By introducing auction earlier, matching the method of sale to the seller’s priorities and using it proactively across existing stock, agents can create speed, security and transparency, even when the wider market is moving slowly.

*From receipt of draft contracts. Based on grade one standard properties.   

^Data from TwentyEA on behalf of Cavendish.  

^^From conveyancer instruction to completion for sales transactions in 2024 (Landmark Property Transactions Report 2024). 

**Zoopla UK Housing Market Report.