What Happens After an Offer Is Accepted? A Seller’s Timeline Explained
Accepting an offer on your property is a great milestone, but for many sellers, it’s also the point where uncertainty creeps in. What happens next? How long does it all take? And what do I need to do?
Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to the sales process from offer accepted to completion, so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: Offer Agreed & Memorandum of Sale Issued
Timescale: Immediately
Once an offer has been accepted, we confirm the details with both parties and issue a Memorandum of Sale to:
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The buyer and seller
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Both solicitors
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We also get details for any related estate agents in the chain
This document sets out the agreed price, details of the parties involved and whether there is a chain. At this point, the property is marked Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC).
Step 2: Solicitors Instructed
Timescale: 1–7 days
If you haven’t already done so, this is the point at which you formally instruct your solicitor or conveyancer. They will:
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Request your title documents
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Send you initial paperwork
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Begin preparing draft contracts
???? Delays at this stage are one of the most common causes of slow transactions – instructing a solicitor early can make a big difference.
Step 3: Buyer’s Survey & Mortgage
Timescale: 2–4 weeks
The buyer will now:
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Arrange their mortgage (if applicable)
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Instruct a survey (valuation, HomeBuyer or full structural survey)
You may be contacted for access for the survey. If any issues are raised, negotiations may take place at this stage, which we will help manage carefully to keep the sale on track.
Step 4: Searches & Enquiries
Timescale: 4–8 weeks (varies)
The buyer’s solicitor will carry out searches and raise enquiries with your solicitor. These can include:
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Local authority searches
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Drainage & environmental searches
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Questions about boundaries, alterations or guarantees
Some enquiries are straightforward; others may require additional documents or clarification. We stay in regular contact with all parties to help avoid unnecessary delays.
Step 5: Exchange of Contracts
Timescale: Once all parties are ready
Exchange is the point where the sale becomes legally binding.
At exchange:
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A completion date is agreed
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The buyer pays their deposit
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Neither party can pull out without penalties
???? This is a big moment – congratulations are in order!
Step 6: Completion Day
Timescale: Typically 1–2 weeks after exchange
On completion day:
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The buyer’s solicitor transfers the remaining funds
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The keys are released
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Ownership officially transfers
You can then hand over the keys and move on to the next chapter.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
On average, a straightforward sale takes 8–12 weeks, though this can vary depending on:
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The length of the chain
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Speed of solicitors and searches
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Survey results
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Mortgage processing
At the moment we are finding sales at at least 12 weeks. This is due to delays with searches coming back and slowness in chains. We recommend you maintain pressure on your solicitor to ensure they are looking at and dealing with your file every day. The quicker you can get to completion the better as there then tends to be less chance of things going wrong and the sale falling through.
How We Help Keep Things Moving
From offer agreed through to completion, our role doesn’t stop. We:
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Chase solicitors and agents
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Keep buyers and sellers informed
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Resolve issues early where possible
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Help manage expectations on all sides
Clear communication is often the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one.
In Summary
After accepting an offer, the process follows a clear structure – but it does require patience, organisation and good communication. Having an experienced agent guiding you through each stage can make all the difference.
If you’re thinking of selling and want a team who will support you right through to completion, we’d be happy to help.
