Thinking of moving before Christmas? Don't leave it too late. Property sales are currently taking around 170 days from offer accepted to completion, meaning the countdown has already begun. If you'd like to be in your new home before the festive season, now's the time to start viewing and making offers.

Many buyers open the document expecting a straightforward confirmation that the property is in good condition, only to find pages of warnings, recommendations and highlighted concerns. It's not uncommon for buyers to worry that they've made a mistake or that the property is far riskier than they first thought.

The July property market figures tell two very different stories, depending on which year you choose for comparison.

June has been our strongest month for sales agreed, proving that buyers are still actively looking across DL7 to DL11. If you've recently had a valuation but are still undecided, now could be the perfect time to make your move. Here's why the market is working for motivated sellers.