If you’re a Fife homeowner or landlord thinking about selling in the next couple of years, the question on your mind is simple. How long will it take to find a buyer?
New data on the 1,916 Fife homes sold in the last 3 months has revealed some striking differences depending on the type of property and the number of bedrooms. On average, it takes 98 days to find a buyer. But dig deeper, and the picture changes:
By Fife property type:
- 544 Fife flats/apartments sold: 83 days
- 265 Fife terraced/town houses sold: 103 days
- 509 Fife semi-detached homes sold: 95 days
- 49 Fife detached homes sold: 114 days
By number of bedrooms in Fife:
- One-beds: (163 sold) 74 days
- Two-beds: (673 sold) 85 days
- Three-beds: (661 sold) 101 days
- Four-beds: (310 sold) 117 days
- Five-beds or more: (80 sold) 111 days
(Sold means Sale Agreed/Sold STCM).
Yet not every home sells…
83.51% of the Fife homes that left estate agents’ books since January 1st were sold, and the owners moved. The other 16.49% were withdrawn unsold.
Why do many Fife homes not sell?
Selling a home in Fife is about far more than listing it on a property portal and waiting for the phone to ring. There are two main reasons why some homes linger on the market or never sell. They are price and marketing.
1. The importance of pricing your Fife home
Getting the price right is the most significant factor in securing a successful sale. If the asking price is out of step with similar properties, buyers will ignore the listing. Many sellers are tempted to try their luck with a higher figure, but the numbers show why this is a risky move.
Research by Denton House using data from TwentyEA highlights the role of timing. If your home goes under offer (i.e. sale agreed or sold STCM) in the first 25 days of coming onto the market, there is a 94% (19 out of 20) chance the sale will proceed through to completion (i.e. you move home). If it takes more than 100 days to secure a buyer (because you initially tried at a higher price and then subsequently reduced your asking price), the chance of the sale proceeding through to completion falls to just 56% (approximately 1 in 2). Put simply, time is the enemy.
When choosing a Fife estate agent, do not fall for the one who promises the highest asking price. The only thing that truly sets the value of your Fife home is what the market is willing to pay, not what an agent says and not what you hope as the homeowner. The best agent is the one with the best strategy to attract buyers and create competition, because that is how you achieve the highest price in reality.
That is why you should work with an estate agent who knows the Fife market inside out and can support you with an accurate pricing strategy. Asking more than buyers are willing to pay is a gamble that can cost you your move.
2. The power of marketing your Fife home
Alongside pricing, the way your home is marketed is crucial. Buyers browsing Rightmove, Zoopla, or On the Market make instant judgments based on the photographs. Poor-quality images or old seasonal shots can kill interest before anyone even reads the description. For example, if your home still has pictures with no leaves on the trees and daffodils in late summer, it suggests the property has been on the market for many months.
Strong marketing by an estate agency involves professional photography, updated images that reflect the changing seasons, clear floor plans, and compelling descriptions. Increasingly, buyers also expect video tours or 360-degree virtual walkthroughs, allowing them to get a feel for the property before visiting. Well-presented marketing is not a gimmick. It widens your audience and creates competition, which in turn helps you achieve the best price.
Selling your home in Fife
Fife home sellers shouldn’t be complacent. Averages conceal the reality that many homes sell quickly, while others languish. Your choice of agent, your pricing decision, and the way your property is showcased will decide which side you fall on.
Moving home is a significant decision to make. It deserves careful preparation, clear communication, and above all, a strategy that is tailored to you. I specialise in helping Fife homeowners and landlords to navigate the sales process, combining local knowledge with modern marketing. Whether you own a detached family home in Fife, a terrace or flat in a town, or a semi on the coast, I can help you secure the right buyer and the right outcome. If you are thinking of selling, I would be delighted to talk through your plans and show you how to maximise your chances of success.