More confident buyers are accelerating their homebuying timelines
The time prospective buyers expect to wait before purchasing a home has fallen sharply in recent years, according to new figures from Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB).
Data gathered from the company’s My MAB and Homebuying apps indicates that the median anticipated period from initial search to completion has dropped from just over 11 months in 2021 to under six months in 2024 and so far in 2025.
The findings suggest that would-be homeowners are increasingly confident in their ability to buy property within a shorter timeframe. The most notable change occurred between 2022 and 2023, when the median expected purchase time fell from eight months to slightly less than six months, a trend that has since remained steady.
Market conditions have played a role in this shift. The transition from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market, combined with higher interest rates, has led to a climate where buyers are able to act more quickly. As the market has adjusted, this pattern has stabilised.
The research also shows that 88% of first-time buyers in 2025 expect to purchase a home within 18 months, up from 75% in 2021. Nearly all aspiring buyers—97%—now anticipate becoming homeowners within three years. Only a small minority, 3%, expect the process to take more than three years, highlighting ongoing affordability issues for some.
“Our latest research signals a new era of confidence for prospective buyers, who are taking more of an empowered approach to getting on the property ladder,” said Rachel Geddes (pictured right), strategic lender relationship director at Mortgage Advice Bureau. “This proactive belief, coupled with the expertise and insight of a mortgage broker, can place prospective buyers in an even stronger position to streamline their homebuying journey.
“The sharp reduction in expected purchase times also aligns perfectly with Project 28 - a new charter we’re supporting in collaboration with fellow industry bodies to significantly shorten the property transaction process. Through this, we're giving buyers increased confidence, helping reduce delays, and improving the homebuying process overall.”
MAB’s research findings indicate that mortgage brokers may see clients seeking faster transactions and more proactive advice. As buyers aim to purchase homes sooner, brokers will need to support quicker decision-making, provide timely guidance, and help clients navigate a market where readiness and efficiency are increasingly valued. This shift could lead to more demand for brokers’ expertise in streamlining the homebuying process.
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