Buying & Selling
Buying and selling property in Cardiff
Whether you're buying your next home or selling up, here's how the journey works in 2026 - the steps, the timeline, what it really costs, and the mistakes that slow a move down.
A steady Cardiff market in 2026
Cardiff in 2026 is a balanced market. The average home sits around £271,000, up a gentle 1.2% on the year, so neither buyers nor sellers hold all the cards. A typical move takes roughly five to six months from listing to completion - about 40 days to find a buyer, then eight to sixteen weeks of conveyancing.
Get the preparation right and you can be at the faster end of that range. Get it wrong - mispricing, missing paperwork, a slow solicitor - and a move can drift for months. This guide walks both sides of the deal.
Step by step
Your move, start to finish
Switch between the two journeys to see exactly what happens, and roughly when.
- 1
Get your finance ready
Before you startSecure an Agreement in Principle, confirm your deposit and set a realistic budget that includes all the moving costs, not just the price.
- 2
Search and view
VariesFind the right Cardiff property and area. Be clear on tenure, condition and whether it suits your plans.
- 3
Make an offer
DaysNegotiate and agree a price. A good agent helps you pitch it right and proves you are a serious buyer.
- 4
Instruct a solicitor and survey
Week 1 - 2Conveyancing begins and you arrange a survey at the right level for the property's age and condition.
- 5
Searches, enquiries and mortgage
8 - 16 weeksLegal searches, enquiries and your formal mortgage offer all come together. This is the longest stage.
- 6
Exchange contracts
When legals are doneYou pay your deposit, the completion date is fixed, and the purchase becomes legally binding.
- 7
Completion
1 - 4 weeks laterYou pay the balance and your Land Transaction Tax, and collect the keys. The home is yours.
- 1
Value and prepare
2 - 4 weeksGet a realistic valuation, order an EPC, and tidy, declutter and fix the small things that put buyers off.
- 2
List and market
Day oneProfessional photos, floor plans and strong portal exposure get you in front of the right buyers fast.
- 3
Viewings and offers
~40 days on averageHost viewings and negotiate. Pricing right from the start is the single biggest driver of a quick sale.
- 4
Accept an offer
DaysAgree terms, check the buyer's position and chain, then take the property off the market.
- 5
Conveyancing
8 - 16 weeksYour solicitor handles enquiries, the contract and the paperwork. Responsiveness keeps it moving.
- 6
Exchange
When readyContracts are exchanged and the completion date is set. Both sides are now committed.
- 7
Completion
1 - 4 weeks laterYou hand over the keys and receive your money. Move-out is complete.
Try it yourself
Land Transaction Tax calculator
Wales replaced Stamp Duty with LTT. Enter a price to estimate what you'd owe. Tick the box if it's an additional property or buy-to-let.
An estimate using current Welsh LTT bands. There is no LTT-free first-time-buyer relief in Wales. Confirm the exact figure with your conveyancer.
The real cost
What moving actually costs
Beyond the price itself. Typical Cardiff ranges - yours will vary with the property and your mortgage.
If you're buying
If you're selling
Get it right
Smart moves and common mistakes
Smart moves
- Price on real local evidence, not hope
- Budget for every cost, not just the headline price
- Get a survey before you exchange
- Choose a proactive, communicative solicitor
- Keep your chain informed and moving
Common mistakes
- Over-stretch and leave no contingency
- Skip the survey to save a few hundred pounds
- Ignore tenure, lease length or service charges
- Over-price and sit stale on the portals
- Go quiet during conveyancing - delays kill deals
Common questions
Buying & selling FAQs
How long does it take to buy or sell a house in Cardiff?
Plan for around five to six months from listing to completion - roughly 40 days to find a buyer and then eight to sixteen weeks of conveyancing. Chain-free sales can be several weeks quicker, while long chains take longer. Good preparation and a responsive solicitor are the biggest levers on speed.
How much Land Transaction Tax will I pay in Wales?
On your main home there is no LTT up to £225,000, then it rises in bands. Additional properties and buy-to-lets pay the higher rates, which start at 5%. Use the calculator on this page for an estimate, and confirm the exact figure with your conveyancer.
What are the costs of moving beyond the purchase price?
Buyers should budget for LTT, legal fees, a survey, possible mortgage fees, searches and removals. Sellers typically pay an estate agent fee, legal fees, an EPC and removals, plus any mortgage early-repayment charge. The cost-of-moving section above gives typical Cardiff ranges.
Do I need an EPC to sell my home?
Yes. You must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate, or have commissioned one, before you market a property for sale in Wales. It is inexpensive and quick to arrange, and a better rating can be a selling point.
How do I get my Cardiff property to sell faster?
Price it correctly from day one, present it well with professional photography and floor plans, make sure your legal pack and paperwork are ready early, and respond quickly to enquiries. Realistic pricing and preparation beat chasing the market down later.
Sources & method
House-price figures are from the ONS / HM Land Registry (Cardiff, March 2026). Land Transaction Tax bands are from GOV.WALES. Timescales reflect widely reported UK averages for 2026 (around five to six months listing to completion). Moving-cost figures are typical ranges and will vary by property, lender and provider. Last updated 31 May 2026. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
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