How soon can you sell a house after buying it?
You can legally sell your house immediately after buying it — even within days of completing the purchase. There’s no law that says you need to wait. But in practice, things like mortgage rules, market perception, and lender penalties can affect how soon you’re able to sell.
You can legally sell a property the moment you own it, but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy. Here are the key things to consider before putting your home back on the market shortly after buying.
- You can sell your home as soon as you're the legal owner.
- Most lenders follow a six-month rule, which limits your buyer pool if you're selling quickly.
- Mortgage tie-ins and early repayment charges could affect how much money you walk away with.
- Cash buyers aren’t affected by mortgage restrictions and can buy immediately.
- Selling quickly might raise red flags for some buyers, so be ready to explain your reasons.
- A cash buyer like Habello can make a guaranteed offer within 48 hours — no delays, fees, or waiting for the right buyer.
Can you legally sell a house right after buying it?
Yes. As soon as the purchase has completed and you’re the legal owner, you can sell the property.
There are no legal restrictions stopping you from selling a home the same day you bought it. But just because you can sell, doesn’t mean it’ll be easy — especially if you’re relying on a buyer with a mortgage.
How mortgage timing affects how soon you can sell your house
Mortgage rules are one of the biggest practical barriers to selling soon after buying.
The six-month rule
Most UK mortgage lenders have a policy that prevents them from lending to buyers if the property has been owned by the current seller for less than six months. This isn’t a legal rule, but it is standard practice in the industry.
That means unless you’re selling to a cash buyer, most people won’t be able to get a mortgage to buy your home.
Early repayment charges (ERCs)
If you took out a mortgage to buy the property, check the terms. Many mortgages have a tie-in period (often two to five years) where you’ll face penalties if you repay the loan early. These charges can range from 1% to 5% of your outstanding mortgage balance.
Negative equity
If property prices have dropped since you bought, or you paid a high price initially, there’s a risk your mortgage is now higher than your home’s value. This is called negative equity, and it means you’d need to pay the difference out of pocket to sell.
Porting your mortgage
If you're planning to buy a new home, some lenders allow you to "port" your mortgage to the new property. This could help you avoid early repayment charges and keep your current deal.
How buyers might react if you sell soon after buying
If your property goes back on the market shortly after purchase, buyers may assume there’s a problem no matter why you’re selling.
Some common concerns they might have:
- There’s something wrong with the home or area.
- You’re flipping the property for a quick profit.
- The home is overvalued or overpriced.
- You may have troublesome neighbours.
- Concerns of crime or antisocial activity.
This hesitation could result in lower offers or slower interest. Being upfront about your reasons for selling, such as a change in personal circumstances or job relocation, can help ease concerns.
If you’d rather skip the awkward questions, a cash buyer can offer a more straightforward option.
How to get a cash offer for your home
Selling to a cash buyer is the fastest and most straightforward option if you’ve only just bought your property.
With Habello, here’s how it works:
- Start by completing our online form with a few basic details.
- A team member will get in touch to learn more about your property and situation.
- We’ll make an initial offer on the phone — fast, informal, and commitment-free.
- Within 48 hours, we’ll give you a firm final offer that’s guaranteed.
- We offer up to 85% of your home’s market value.
- If you use our partner solicitor, there are no legal fees to pay.
There are no chains, no listings, and no delays. Just a cash offer when you need it most.
What if I sell using an estate agent?
You can still list your home on the open market, but it may take longer — especially if you're within the six-month ownership window. Here's how to improve your chances of a faster sale:
Use competitive pricing strategies
- Avoid overvaluing your home. It can delay your sale and lead to multiple price drops.
- Consider setting a price that sits just under a search threshold (e.g. £249,995 instead of £250,000) to reach more buyers.
- If your home’s been listed a while, a reduction of 10% or more is more likely to attract a new wave of buyers than small, repeated drops.
Improve your listing quality
- Use professional photography. Homes with high-quality images generate more interest.
- Add virtual or 3D tours to help remote buyers.
- Upgrade your Rightmove or Zoopla listing to a premium spot if available.
Switch estate agents if needed
If you're not getting results, it might be time for a change. Read our guide to switching estate agents to avoid common traps like open-ended agreements or long notice periods.
Save time and hassle by selling your home with us
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Could auctions work for a fast resale?
Auctions offer another option, and may be especially useful if your property is unusual or hard to sell on the open market.
Traditional vs modern auctions
- Traditional auction: Buyers are legally committed the moment the gavel falls. Completion is usually within 28 days.
- Modern method: Allows a longer period for completion (often 56 days), which gives buyers more time to arrange finance.
How to prepare
- Get a legal pack ready before listing.
- Choose a realistic reserve price.
- Pick an auctioneer with a strong track record for your type of property.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Faster sale than traditional methods, certainty once sold, competitive bidding can raise the price.
- Cons: Less predictable outcome, auction fees apply, and if your home doesn’t sell, you may need to re-list.
Why might a recently bought house be slow to sell?
Not every slow sale is about the property itself. Here are some reasons why you may struggle to shift your home:
Controllable factors
- Poor-quality listing photos.
- Overpricing or unclear value.
- Inflexible viewing slots.
- Lack of updates or communication from your agent.
Market-driven issues
- Rising interest rates.
- Mortgage availability.
- Changing regulations or stamp duty updates.
- Seasonal slowdowns or shifts in buyer confidence.
Do these challenges apply with a cash sale?
Most of these issues disappear when you choose to sell your property to a cash buyer.
You’re not affected by mortgage lender timelines. We don’t worry about whether you’ve owned the property for six days or six months and we don’t ask you to tidy the house or repaint the walls. Just a fair, fast offer.
FAQs
How fast can I sell a house with a mortgage?
You can sell at any time, but you may face early repayment charges if you're still within a tie-in period. Most buyers also can't get a mortgage to buy from you if you've owned the home for less than six months.
Can I sell a house in negative equity?
Yes, but only if you can cover the shortfall between your sale price and the mortgage balance — or your lender agrees to a sale.
Can I sell a house before probate completes?
No, you must wait until probate is granted. However, you can prepare for the sale and even accept offers before probate finishes, as long as contracts aren’t exchanged.
Is a 7-day house sale really possible?
Yes, in some cases. Habello can complete a sale in as little as 7 days if you accept our final offer and everything lines up smoothly.
Property owners are choosing Habello for a faster, easier and less stressful way to sell
Sell your home quickly for cash by accepting an offer just below market value. See how we compare to your other options by using the calculator below.
