THE British housebuying process takes, on average, nine weeks, according to a survey in The Observer.

This is four times as long as in Australia and six times longer than in South Africa and exceptions to this rule are few and far between.

However, just two weeks after seeing their new home, Liz and Mike Bell and their two children had sold their old house, packed up their furniture and moved into their new house at Countryside Properties’ Queen Charlotte’s Place development at Kings Hill in West Malling.

Liz Bell, an operations manager, said: “We had been living in a three bedroom semi-detached house in Eltham near Sidcup for 13 years when we discovered our new five bedroom detached house a year ago.

“We saw our new home for the first time on a Saturday, had our old house valued the following Tuesday and part exchanged for the full asking price two days later.

“Having moved and unpacked our furniture in our new house, I was back at work by the following Thursday.

“Everyone we dealt with at Countryside was very professional and the whole process was extremely quick and efficient, taking us just two weeks in total.’’

Kings Hill Village is set in a 650-acre landscaped environment which incorporates hundreds of acres of undulating terrain extending across large areas of protected heath, parkland and mature woods.

A 6,600 yard, par 72 golf course adjoins a full-length driving range with a short game practice area, putting green and a pavilion-style clubhouse, which currently provides meeting rooms, a bar and a restaurant.

Countryside’s new homes are currently available at Queen Charlotte’s Place with prices ranging from £289,950 to £425,000. For sales inquiries telephone: 01732 875182.