Offer Accepted on a House – What Next? 

Congratulations! Your offer on your dream new home has been accepted. It’s an exciting moment. 

But if you’re wondering what happens now, you’re not alone. The period between offer acceptance and moving in can feel uncertain, especially if you’ve never bought property before. 

At Setfords, our conveyancers guide buyers through this process every day. Here’s what you need to know about the steps ahead and what will happen before you get your keys. 

First Things First: Instruct a Conveyancing Solicitor 

This should be your immediate priority. Your conveyancing solicitor handles all the legal work involved in buying your property. 

Ideally, choose your conveyancer while you’re still looking for properties. This means they can get moving as soon as your offer is accepted. If you’ve not already instructed a conveyancer, you should do it within a few days of your offer being accepted to avoid delays. 

Your conveyancing solicitor will: 

• Review the contract and legal documents from the seller’s solicitor 
• Conduct property searches to check for issues 
• Handle the transfer of funds and legal ownership 
• Ensure you’re protected throughout the transaction 

It’s important to choose someone with proper qualifications and relevant experience. Good communication matters from day one. Look for upfront pricing too, a hidden fees can cause unnecessary stress. 

Our conveyancing team can typically start work within 24 hours of instruction. Click below to get your personalised quote today. 

Tell Your Estate Agent Who Your Conveyancer Is 

Once you’ve instructed your solicitor, pass their details to the estate agent who sold the property. 

The agent will send a ‘memorandum of sale’ to both yours and your sellers’ solicitors. This document confirms the agreed purchase price and provides each solicitor’s contact information. 

This simple step gets the legal process officially underway. 

Initial Documents From Your Conveyancer 

Your conveyancer will send you initial documentation to sign and return. This includes proof of identity and address, plus information about your finances. 

You’ll also receive a fixtures and fittings form. This document specifies which items stay with the property when they move, such as kitchen appliances and lighting. 

Check this carefully. If something you expected to be included isn’t listed, raise it now before things progress further. 

Finalise Your Mortgage 

If you have a mortgage Agreement in Principle, now’s the time to submit your full application. 

Your lender will arrange a mortgage valuation to confirm the property’s worth what you’re paying. This isn’t the same as a survey as it’s purely for the lender’s benefit. 

Once approved, your lender issues a formal mortgage offer. Your solicitor needs this before they can complete their report and move toward exchange. 

Keep in close contact with your mortgage broker or lender. Chase if things seem slow. Delays here can hold up your entire purchase. 

Book Your Property Survey 

This is optional but highly recommended. A survey identifies potential problems with the property that might cost you thousands to fix later. 

There are three main types: 

Condition Report – Basic overview suitable for new-build or conventional properties in good condition. The cheapest option. 

HomeBuyer Report – More detailed inspection of visible and accessible parts of the property. Suitable for most standard properties. Flags major issues and potential problems. 

Building Survey – Comprehensive inspection recommended for older properties, unusual buildings, or if you’re planning major works. The most expensive but most thorough option. 

Your surveyor will check the structure, dampness, subsidence risk, roof condition, and other potential issues. If they find problems, you can renegotiate the price or ask the seller to fix issues before completion. 

Book your survey early. Surveyors can get busy, and you don’t want to cause delays. 

What Your Conveyancer Does: Property Searches 

While you’re arranging surveys and mortgages, your conveyancer gets to work on property searches. 

They’ll order searches from the local authority and other bodies. These check for: 

Local Authority Searches – Planning applications, building control issues, and local authority plans that might affect the property or your use of it. 

Land Registry Searches – Confirm the property’s legal ownership and clarify its boundaries. 

Environmental Searches – Identify possible environmental risks like flooding, contaminated land, or subsidence concerns. 

Water and Drainage Searches – Confirm connections and identify any drainage issues. 

The time these take varies depending on the local authority and other search providers. Your conveyancer will keep you updated on progress. 

Contract Review and Enquiries 

Your conveyancer will also review the contract pack from the seller’s solicitor. This includes: 

• Title deeds showing legal ownership 
• Property information forms completed by the seller 
• Lease details if it’s a leasehold property 
• Management company information for flats 
• Any guarantees or warranties for work done on the property 

If there are issues or unclear answers, your conveyancer raises enquiries with the seller’s solicitor. They’ll let you know if they have questions that need your input. 

This back-and-forth protects your interests. It might feel slow, but it’s essential.

Your Conveyancer’s Report 

Once the search results are back, the mortgage offer has been issued, and your conveyancer has everything they need from the seller’s conveyancer, they’ll report to you. 

This report covers: 

• All aspects of the property 
• The legal title and any restrictions 
• Search results and any concerns 
• Your mortgage terms 
• Any issues that need addressing 

Your conveyancer will explain everything clearly and answer your questions. If there are problems, they’ll advise on your options. 

This is an important stage. Read the report carefully and make sure you understand everything before proceeding.

Setting Exchange and Completion Dates 

At this stage, you can discuss dates for exchange and completion. 

These dates depend on several factors: 

• The seller and their moving arrangements 
• If you are selling or the seller is buying another property (the chain) 
• Your mortgage offer validity period 
• Everyone’s availability and flexibility 

Your conveyancer will coordinate with all parties to agree on dates that work for everyone involved. 

Understanding Exchange and Completion 

These are two separate events, and it’s important to understand the difference. 

Exchange of contracts is when the sale becomes legally binding. Both you and the seller sign identical contracts, and these are formally exchanged between solicitors. 

At exchange: 

• You pay your deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) 
• You’re legally committed to buy 
• The seller is legally committed to sell 
• If either party pulls out, there are serious financial consequences 

Before exchange, your conveyancer will ask you to sign the contract and mortgage documents. They’ll need your authority to proceed with exchange once everything is ready. 

Don’t forget! Buildings insurance is usually required from the moment of exchange. You’re legally responsible for the property even though you don’t own it yet. 

Completion is when ownership transfers to you. This happens on a date agreed at exchange, usually between one and four weeks later. 

On completion day: 

• Your conveyancer transfers the remaining funds to the seller’s solicitor 
• The seller hands over the keys (usually via the estate agent) 
• You can collect the keys and move in 
• You legally own the property 

The time and date of completion will be marked on your contract. Your conveyancer will keep you informed throughout. 

Between Exchange and Completion 

Once you’ve exchanged contracts, there are several things to arrange:  

Final payments – Your conveyancer will let you know when you need to pay legal fees and additional money for disbursements before completion. They’ll also notify the mortgage lender of the completion date so funds can be released in time. 

Moving arrangements – Now you can confirm dates for removal companies or van hire. 

Admin tasks – Redirect mail, update your address with banks and other organisations, arrange utility account transfers, and notify the council tax office. 

What you can expect with Setfords

• More time, more attention: With no targets, Setfords lawyers can dedicate more time to you.
• Ultimate flexibility: Our lawyers can tailor their schedules to meet your needs.
• Nationwide coverage: with hundreds of consultant lawyers across the UK, we’ll connect you with the right expert.
• Dedicated specialist legal partner: work directly with your chosen lawyer from start to finish.
• Highly experienced: Setfords lawyers have an average of 20 years’ experience, so you can be assured you’re in safe hands.
• Capacity-based allocation: our lawyers never take on more work than they can handle, so you get the focus and attention you deserve.

Get a conveyancing quote

What Are the Fees? 

Your conveyancing fees typically include: 

Legal fees – Cover your conveyancer’s time and work throughout the process. 

Stamp Duty Land Tax – Tax on your property purchase (or Land Transaction Tax in Wales). First-time buyers may qualify for relief on this. Click here for more information on the current rates of stamp duty. 

Disbursements – Costs your conveyancer incurs on your behalf, including search fees, bank transfer fees, Land Registry fees, and more. 

Your conveyancer will give you a clear breakdown of all fees at the start. There shouldn’t be any surprises. 

What If You’re in a Chain? 

A chain exists when your purchase depends on other sales. For example, the person you’re buying from needs to complete their own purchase before selling to you. 

Chains are common but require coordination. Everyone needs to exchange contracts on the same day, which involves multiple solicitors, buyers, and sellers working together. 

If you’re purchasing and selling simultaneously, your conveyancer will coordinate both transactions to exchange and complete on the same dates. The completion time on your sale will always be before your purchase, though you may need to wait briefly for the sellers to move out of your new property. 

Your solicitor will keep you updated on the chain’s progress.

Common Issues and How to Handle Them 

Survey reveals problems – Don’t panic. Minor issues are normal in any property. Discuss with your solicitor whether to renegotiate, request repairs, or walk away if problems are serious. 

Searches show concerns – Your conveyancer will explain any issues and advise on implications. Some concerns are manageable; others might affect the property’s value or your ability to sell later. 

Seller hasn’t disclosed information – Your conveyancer can raise this with their solicitor. Get proper answers before proceeding. 

Delays in the chain – Stay in regular contact with your conveyancer and estate agent. Sometimes you need to wait; other times you can apply pressure to move things along. 

Gazumping – When a seller accepts a higher offer after accepting yours. This is legal until exchange. Move quickly to exchange or walk away if they’re being unreasonable. 

Stay Organised and Responsive 

Keep all your property documents, emails, and important dates in one place. You’ll need to reference them throughout the process. 

Respond promptly when your conveyancer or mortgage lender requests information. Delays on your side hold up the entire process and can frustrate everyone involved. 

Stay in touch with your estate agent too. They’re the link between you and the seller and can sometimes resolve issues quickly through informal conversations.

How Setfords Supports You 

Buying property involves significant legal complexity. Having an experienced conveyancer by your side is often the difference between a smooth purchase and a stressful ordeal. 

As one of the UK’s largest conveyancing teams, we handle every aspect of your purchase. We conduct thorough searches, review contracts carefully, and protect your interests throughout. You’ll have a dedicated, experienced conveyancer you can contact directly with questions throughout the process. 

Click below to get your free, no obligation quote – it only takes a few minutes. 

Final Thoughts 

The journey from offer acceptance can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Understanding the process helps you stay calm and know what to expect. 

Most purchases complete successfully. With the right legal support, good communication, and a bit of patience, yours can be among them. 

Stay proactive, respond quickly to requests, and trust your conveyancer to handle the legal process. Before you know it, you’ll be collecting those keys and moving into your new home.