What Happens After You Accept an Offer on Your House

Accepting an offer on your home can feel like the finish line, but in reality, it’s just the beginning of a new, crucial phase of the selling process. Once you’ve agreed on a price with a buyer, there’s still a fair bit to do before the sale becomes official and the keys are handed over. If you’re working with experienced professionals such as Whitegates Prescot estate agents, you’ll have expert guidance throughout this stage to make things smoother and less stressful. Let’s take a closer look at what really happens after you accept an offer on your house.

1. The Property Goes “Under Offer”

Once an offer is accepted, your estate agent will mark the property as “under offer” or “sold subject to contract” (SSTC). This means the sale is agreed in principle, but not legally binding just yet. Both parties can still withdraw at this stage, although it’s usually in everyone’s best interest to move forward quickly and efficiently.

During this period, your estate agent will liaise with both solicitors to start the conveyancing process and ensure all relevant paperwork is in motion.

2. Instructing a Solicitor or Conveyancer

The next step is to formally instruct your solicitor or conveyancer if you haven’t already. They handle the legal aspects of the sale—transferring ownership, managing contracts, and ensuring compliance with property law.

Your solicitor will:

· Send you a set of forms to complete, covering property details, fixtures and fittings, and any disputes or alterations made.

· Request title deeds and other necessary documents from the Land Registry.

· Create a preliminary sales contract and forward it to the buyer’s solicitor for review.

Having a proactive solicitor is key here—they’ll help keep things moving and prevent unnecessary delays.

3. The Buyer’s Mortgage and Surveys

While your solicitor is handling the paperwork, the buyer will likely be arranging their mortgage. This usually involves the lender conducting a valuation survey to confirm that the property is worth the agreed price.

In addition to the lender’s valuation, the buyer might also commission a more detailed homebuyer’s report or a complete structural survey. These can highlight any potential issues with the property, such as damp, roof damage, or outdated wiring.

If serious issues are discovered, the buyer may try to renegotiate the price or ask for repairs to be completed before the exchange. It’s important to stay calm and open-minded during this stage—minor adjustments are regular, but you’re not obliged to agree to unreasonable demands.

4. Responding to Enquiries and Negotiations

Once the buyer’s solicitor reviews the draft contract and searches, they’ll raise enquiries—essentially a list of questions about the property and the documents you’ve provided. These might include details about planning permissions, warranties, service charges (if leasehold), or boundaries.

Your solicitor will answer these enquiries with your help. Be honest and thorough; providing complete, accurate information helps prevent future disputes and keeps the process smooth.

Sometimes, this stage can take longer than expected, especially if the buyer’s solicitor requests additional information or documents. Regular communication with your solicitor and estate agent can help keep everyone on track.

5. Signing Contracts

When all questions are resolved and both parties are satisfied, it’s time to sign the contract. However, even after signing, the sale isn’t legally binding until the contracts are exchanged between solicitors.

Before the exchange, you’ll need to agree on:

· The final sale price

· A completion date (the day you move out and hand over the keys)

· Any other specific conditions, such as items included in the sale

Make sure you’ve confirmed your moving arrangements and that your new home (if applicable) will be ready by the completion date.

6. Exchange of Contracts

This is the milestone moment where the sale becomes legally binding. Both solicitors exchange signed contracts, and the buyer pays a deposit—usually around 10% of the purchase price.

After the exchange, neither party can withdraw without incurring significant financial penalties. You can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing the sale is almost complete.

7. Preparing for Completion

Between exchange and Completion, you’ll have a few practical tasks to manage. These include:

· Finalising your packing and arranging removals

· Informing utility companies, banks, and service providers of your move

· Ensuring any agreed repairs or conditions are fulfilled

· Reading your meters and leaving keys with your estate agent or solicitor

This is also the time to confirm that your mortgage (if applicable) will be redeemed on completion day. Your solicitor will handle the financial side, including paying off your mortgage and transferring any remaining funds to you.

8. Completion Day

Completion day marks the official end of the sale. The buyer’s solicitor transfers the remaining purchase price balance to your solicitor, who will then confirm receipt. Once that’s done, your estate agent can release the keys to the buyer.

Congratulations—you’ve successfully sold your home!

9. After Completion

After Completion, your solicitor will settle any remaining bills, such as estate agent fees or mortgage redemption charges, and send you a completion statement summarising all transactions. If you’re moving into a new property, this is the perfect time to focus on settling in and making your new space feel like home.

Final Thoughts

Selling a home doesn’t end when you accept an offer—it’s a process that involves careful coordination, legal checks, and clear communication. By understanding each stage and working closely with your estate agent and solicitor, you can navigate the post-offer journey smoothly and confidently.

The key takeaway? Stay patient, stay organised, and keep communication open. Once the final transfer goes through, all your effort and waiting will be worth it.