What Happens After an Offer Is Accepted? A Simple Guide for Sellers
Selling a home can feel overwhelming, especially once an offer has been accepted. Suddenly, the excitement of securing a buyer can be mixed with uncertainty about what happens next. Understanding the process can make it much less stressful. Here’s a straightforward guide to what usually happens after your offer is accepted.
1. Memorandum of Sale
Once you accept an offer, your estate agent will prepare a memorandum of sale. This document isn’t a contract, but it officially confirms the agreed price and the parties involved: you (the seller), the buyer, and your respective solicitors.
It also contains key details like:
- The property address
- Agreed sale price
- Names of the buyer’s and seller’s solicitors
- Any special conditions discussed
The memorandum is shared with both sets of solicitors so that the legal process can begin.
2. Conveyancing
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of your property to the buyer. Your solicitor will:
- Check the buyer’s funds and identity
- Prepare a contract for the sale
- Provide detailed information about the property (called property information forms)
- Liaise with the buyer’s solicitor to answer questions
This step is crucial to make sure everything is legally sound and transparent.
3. Surveys and Mortgage Offers
Most buyers will arrange a survey to check the condition of the property. This isn’t usually a reason for panic — it’s standard procedure. If any issues arise, the buyer may ask for minor repairs or a price adjustment, but in many cases, the survey confirms the property’s condition without complication.
If the buyer needs a mortgage, the lender will issue a mortgage offer once the survey is complete and the application is approved. Your solicitor will be kept informed throughout this process.
4. Typical Timescales
While every sale is unique, a typical process might look like this:
- Memorandum of sale issued: immediately after acceptance
- Conveyancing and buyer’s mortgage process: 4–8 weeks
- Surveys completed: within 1–2 weeks of instruction
- Exchange of contracts: once all checks are complete
- Completion (handover of keys and funds): usually 1–2 weeks after exchange
It’s important to remember that these are guidelines, not guarantees. Delays can occur due to mortgage approvals, surveys, or chains of other buyers and sellers.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what to expect after accepting an offer can make the process far less daunting. Most of the steps are routine and are managed by professionals on your behalf, meaning you can focus on your next move rather than worrying about paperwork.
Being prepared and understanding the stages helps you stay calm and confident — and makes a smoother path from offer to completion much more likely.