How Soon Can You Sell a House After Buying It?

Buying a home is a monumental step, regardless of whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth. And the buying process usually throws up a few hurdles along the way, making it a big relief to reach the finish line and enjoy owning it. And it’s not unusual for the long buying process to make you vow to stay put for a good while, maybe forever.

But what happens when life throws a curveball, and you need to sell it sooner than planned? Maybe you’ve experienced a change in circumstances. Perhaps some new financial pressures have cropped up. Or it could be that buyer’s remorse has crept in. Whatever your reason, selling a house shortly after buying it can feel like uncharted territory.

If you’re wondering “How long after buying a house can I sell it?”, you’re far from alone. Thousands of homeowners face this question every year.

The truth is that the answer isn’t straightforward. While there’s no legal limit on when you can sell your home, there are some financial, practical and emotional hurdles to bear in mind before you put up that “For Sale” sign.

But no sweat, because this guide takes you through the key factors that determine how soon you can sell, what you need to watch out for and how to make the process as smooth as possible.

Why sell a house soon after buying?

You probably didn’t buy a property intending to sell it quickly…but life happens! 

Some of the most common reasons homeowners consider a quick sale include:

• A change in personal circumstances — such as divorce, separation or family emergencies — often necessitate a rapid change in living arrangements.
• A job relocation or new career opportunity in another city (or even country) can make moving unavoidable.
• An unexpected change in finances — such as extra expenses, a redundancy or a shift in income — can make it impossible to keep your property.
• And of course, then there’s house-flipping. For some, buying and quickly selling a property is a deliberate financial strategy, particularly if the home was purchased under market value or you’ve given it a serious glow-up to boost its value.
• Sometimes, buyer’s remorse rears its head. Perhaps the reality of a property doesn’t live up to the dream, so moving on feels like the best option.

So, the reasons are varied, but regardless, selling shortly after buying isn’t without its challenges — and it’s essential to weigh up the potential repercussions.

What are the financial repercussions of selling soon after buying?

Selling a house quickly can come with hidden costs that eat into your potential profits, or worse, leave you out of pocket. Let’s take a look at what you need to consider when it comes to finances and selling.

Mortgage considerations

If you’ve taken out a fixed-term mortgage, you could face early repayment charges (ERCs). These penalties are typically a percentage of the remaining loan and can add up to thousands of pounds. For example, on a £200,000 mortgage with a 3% ERC, you’d be looking at a £6,000 penalty.

Additionally, if your mortgage is portable, you might be able to transfer it to your next property. However, not all lenders allow this, and there may still be fees involved.

Stamp duty

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is another factor to consider, particularly for second homes or buy-to-let properties. If you paid the higher rate and sell within three years without replacing the property, you might not qualify for a refund.

Selling costs

Selling a home comes with its own set of expenses, including estate agent fees (typically 1-3% of the sale price), legal costs, and potential repairs to get the property market-ready. If you sell too soon, you might not have built up enough equity to cover these costs.

Negative equity

The market moves fast, and property values fluctuate. If you bought at the market peak or with a low deposit, you might owe more on your mortgage than the house is worth. Selling in negative equity can be risky, as you’ll need to cover the shortfall yourself.

If you can wait six months…

There’s nothing to stop you putting your property on the market on the day after completion. There’s no official waiting period, but many experts recommend holding onto a property for at least six months before selling.

Why? 

Well, for one thing, some mortgage lenders stipulate that you can’t sell for the first six months. Also, many buyers may balk at a property being sold on so soon, assuming there’s something wrong with the property, or some sort of catch. If it doesn’t scare them off entirely, they’re likely to give you a lower offer than otherwise. The final reason is that it gives you a little time to build some equity, which can balance out some or all of the selling costs.

So, waiting a few months has its advantages. But if you have a compelling reason to sell sooner, it’s possible. It just means you should think carefully about the risks and how to minimise them.

If you can’t wait six months…

If selling ASAP is your only option, make the process as smooth and profitable as possible by asking yourself these questions:

1. Is the price right? You need to be realistic about your asking price. Overpricing deters buyers, so you need to counteract that by pricing competitively to ensure you attract interest and hopefully secure a quicker sale.
2. Are you doing effective marketing? Make sure your estate agent is highlighting unique, desirable features of your property in your listing, from recent renovations to energy efficiency.
3. Have you considered repairs? Little upgrades can make a big difference, but don’t overspend on improvements you won’t recoup in the sale.
4. Are you being transparent? It’s so important to address potential buyer concerns upfront. Got a a short lease, cladding issues or nearby developments? Put your cards on the table to avoid cold feet down the line.
5. Would it make more sense to work with a cash buyer? Cash property buyers can speed up the process significantly by eliminating the need for mortgage approvals and reducing the risk of a chain collapse. Sell House Fast is an established cash house buyer with a strong track record in buying property fast using our unique smooth, transparent process.

The bottom line

So, how long after buying a house can you sell it? Technically, you can sell as soon as you want, but just keep in mind the potential challenges with doing so, and do all you can to minimise the fallout.

Selling soon after buying isn’t exactly an enviable position to be in, but doesn’t have to be a headache. Yes, there are challenges — from early repayment charges to buyer skepticism — but with the right approach, you can keep any delays, stress and uncertainty to a minimum.

And, as our thousands of customers have already discovered, the best way to sidestep all the hurdles is to work with a cash buyer.

At Sell House Fast, we buy any property, in any condition, for cash. No chains, no waiting on mortgage approvals, no surprise fees. We don’t mind whether you’ve owned your property for a single day or for decades. Our streamlined process means you could have cash in your account in a matter of days.

So, how soon can you sell a house after buying it? With Sell House Fast, we’re ready when you are.

Take control of your property sale today. Get in touch with our helpful team for your free, no-obligation cash offer and see just how easy moving on can be.