The average property in the UK sells within seven months, according to recent reports. This is the average time period says a property website. The website calculated that just 511,000 of those vendors who have put their properties on the market in the last 18 months have actually sold within three. As a result, people are turning their backs on estate agents and considering alternative routes to the market. With these increased sales the need for conveyancing services is apparent as homeowners are moving into different properties at a steady rate, despite the UK still being in recession. Stephen Foden, the CEO of the property website, said: "The credit crunch and property market slowdown are combining to drive a revolution in the property market. "When it takes on average nearly seven months to sell a house that is understandable and there are more cost-effective and efficient methods of selling houses now available." It quotes a study by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT,) which reveals that a third of sellers initially considered selling their homes privately using methods such as online estate agents or auctions. Internet based home sales Heather Clayton, the senior director of infrastructure at the OFT, said the research showed the "enormous potential for new internet-based business models in home buying and selling." Mr Foden also said: "Estate agents will continue to dominate the property selling market and for most sellers and buyers they remain the best route to market. That however is changing and the OFT research confirms that." According to the data, over three quarters of people (77.5 per cent) still use an estate agent but a growing number are turning to alternatives including private sales, selling directly to friends or family, selling direct over the internet and even putting up 'For Sale' signs outside their own house. This rise in private selling brings the need to have professional advice from a conveyancing solicitor who can help with transferring the property ownership from the seller to the buyer. The OFT plans to publish its report into the home buying market early in 2010 and will focus on issues including how the market will develop and whether there is a need for increased consumer protection. Buy-to-let mortgages up In addition to these figures, it has been found that buy-to-let mortgages are also on the rise, indicating that the number of landlords are increasing according to the CML. Commenting on the newly-published data, Michael Coogan, the director general of CML, said: "At this stage, the recovery is modest - but the figures show that buy-to-let is here to stay. "Buy-to-let lenders are among those facing some of the biggest challenges in raising mortgage funding, so the improved figures are all the more welcome. "Future demand for housing in all tenures supported by lenders will remain strong, despite mortgage funding constraints and low construction rates. "With funding for social housing under pressure, the private rented sector has a strong future. Mortgage lenders will have an important role to play in it, and will continue to help improve choice and standards for private tenants."