What happens after you accept an offer on your house?

Accepting an offer feels like the finish line, but in England and Wales nothing is legally binding until exchange of contracts. The weeks in between are where sales are won or lost.

1. Memorandum of sale

Your agent sends a memorandum of sale to both solicitors with the price, the parties and key details. This kicks off conveyancing.

2. Instruct your solicitor or conveyancer

If you haven't already, choose one now. You'll fill in property information forms (TA6 and TA10 fittings and contents) and provide ID. Doing this quickly is the single best thing you can do to speed things up.

3. Buyer's mortgage and survey

The buyer's lender values the property, and many buyers also commission a survey. If the survey finds problems, expect questions and possibly a renegotiation.

4. Searches and enquiries

The buyer's solicitor orders local authority, water and drainage, and environmental searches, then raises enquiries about anything unclear. Answer them promptly and fully.

5. Agree a completion date and exchange

When everyone in the chain is ready, contracts are exchanged and the buyer pays a deposit. From this point the sale is legally binding. Completion is often 1–4 weeks later, but can be the same day.

6. Completion

Money moves between solicitors, you hand over the keys and the sale is done. Your agent's fee is normally paid from the proceeds.

How long does it take?

Often around 3–5 months from offer to completion, though chain-free sales can be much quicker and long chains slower.

How to stop your sale falling through

• Get your paperwork ready early – title deeds, guarantees, building regs and planning documents.
• Answer enquiries within days, not weeks.
• Chase, politely. A weekly check-in with your solicitor and agent keeps things moving.
• Know your chain. Ask your agent who is below and above you, and what stage they're at.

Track it on HomePitch

When you accept a pitch on HomePitch, your dashboard turns into a sale tracker: milestones, a checklist of documents, and a warning if things go quiet. Your agent can update it too.

In Scotland the process differs: offers become binding earlier, through "missives". Ask your solicitor how it works for you.