More than six in ten property transactions are taking longer than the typical six-month validity period for property searches, putting sales at risk of further delays and costs, according to TwentyEA.

Its latest Property & Homemover report found 60.8% of transactions reaching exchange in 2026 had taken more than six months from the point an estate agent was instructed, up from 36% in 2019.

TwentyEA highlighted that most property searches are valid for six months and lenders will typically not release mortgage funds after they expire unless they are refreshed or suitable search indemnity insurance is in place.

According to the report, the average home purchase now takes around seven months from listing to exchange, compared with 5.5 months in 2019.

The increase has been driven by the period after a sale is agreed. The average time from listing to sale agreed remains around 2.5 months, the same as in 2019, but progressing from sale agreed to exchange has increased from around three months to nearly four and a half months.

TwentyEA said longer transaction times contributed to higher fall-through rates and could create problems elsewhere in property chains.

Nick Huntley, director of TwentyEA, observed that the government’s home buying reforms propose providing upfront information, including property searches and eventually a property condition report, when a home is listed.

He said: “These property details, provided to buyers and their advisers upfront, should enable faster, more informed decisions and reduce delays, fall-throughs and any late surprises.

“What’s interesting is that these proposals will shift housing transactions from a buyer-led model to a front-loaded seller-led one.”

The report also showed weakening demand despite an increase in properties coming to market.

Supply was up 2.4% year-on-year to 1,109,403 properties, while sales subject to contract fell 5.1% to 736,108.

Demand declined across all price bands and UK regions, with sales of flats down 9.1%, semi-detached homes down 4.6% and detached properties down 4.3% year-on-year. 

TwentyEA said demand nevertheless remained above 2019 levels across all three property types.