{"id":89,"date":"2026-06-27T16:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T16:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advaithhomes.co.uk\/?p=89"},"modified":"2026-07-16T12:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:13:16","slug":"what-happens-after-your-offer-is-accepted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advaithhomes.co.uk\/what-happens-after-your-offer-is-accepted\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens After Your Offer is Accepted?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Happens After Your Offer is Accepted?<\/h2>\n

When your offer is accepted on a UK property, it is an exciting step, but the house is not fully yours yet. There are still legal checks, mortgage checks, surveys, searches, and paperwork to complete before you get the keys.<\/p>\n

In simple words, an accepted offer means the seller has agreed to your price, but the sale still needs to go through the property buying process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n Important:<\/strong> In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, an accepted offer is usually not legally binding until exchange of contracts. In Scotland, the process is different because solicitors agree the sale through written letters called missives.\n <\/blockquote>\n \n<\/section>\n\n
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Quick Meaning of an Accepted Offer<\/h2>\n

An accepted offer means the seller has agreed to sell the property to you for the price you offered. The estate agent will usually mark the property as sold subject to contract<\/strong>, also called SSTC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sold subject to contract<\/strong> means the sale is agreed in principle, but it is not legally complete yet.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The seller has accepted your offer.<\/li>\n
  • You now need a solicitor or conveyancer.<\/li>\n
  • Your mortgage lender needs to approve the loan.<\/li>\n
  • The property needs checks, searches, and surveys.<\/li>\n
  • The sale becomes legally binding later at exchange of contracts.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n \n<\/section>\n\n
    \n

    Step-by-Step: What Happens After Offer Accepted?<\/h2>\n\n

    1. Ask the Estate Agent to Confirm the Offer<\/h3>\n

    The estate agent should confirm the accepted offer in writing. This is usually sent by email to you, the seller, and both solicitors.<\/p>\n

    This document may include the agreed price, buyer details, seller details, and any conditions of the offer.<\/p>\n\n

    2. Choose a Solicitor or Conveyancer<\/h3>\n

    A solicitor or conveyancer handles the legal work. This legal process is called conveyancing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    They check that the seller has the right to sell the property and that there are no serious legal problems.<\/p>\n\n

    3. Apply for Your Mortgage<\/h3>\n

    If you need a mortgage, you should now complete the full mortgage application. An Agreement in Principle is helpful, but it is not the final mortgage offer.<\/p>\n

    The lender will check your income, spending, credit history, deposit, and the property value.<\/p>\n\n

    4. Book a Property Survey<\/h3>\n

    A property survey checks the condition of the home. It can help you find issues such as damp, roof problems, cracks, old electrics, or plumbing problems.<\/p>\n

    \n Tip:<\/strong> A mortgage valuation is for the lender. A home survey is for you as the buyer.\n <\/blockquote>\n\n

    5. Your Solicitor Orders Searches<\/h3>\n

    Property searches are checks about the home and local area. They can show planning issues, drainage information, flood risk, road schemes, and local authority information.<\/p>\n\n

    6. The Seller Sends Contract Papers<\/h3>\n

    The seller’s solicitor sends a draft contract and property forms to your solicitor. These forms explain what is included in the sale, such as fixtures, fittings, boundaries, and leasehold details if needed.<\/p>\n\n

    7. Your Solicitor Raises Enquiries<\/h3>\n

    Enquiries are questions your solicitor asks the seller’s solicitor. For example, they may ask about planning permission, building work, guarantees, leasehold charges, or missing documents.<\/p>\n\n

    8. You Receive Your Mortgage Offer<\/h3>\n

    If the lender is happy, they will send a formal mortgage offer. Your solicitor also receives a copy and checks the mortgage conditions.<\/p>\n\n

    9. You Sign the Contract<\/h3>\n

    Once searches, survey results, mortgage offer, and enquiries are complete, your solicitor will ask you to sign the contract.<\/p>\n

    Signing the contract does not always mean the sale is legally binding. It becomes binding when contracts are exchanged.<\/p>\n\n

    10. Exchange of Contracts<\/h3>\n

    Exchange of contracts is the point where the sale becomes legally binding in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You usually pay your exchange deposit at this stage.<\/p>\n\n

    11. Completion Day<\/h3>\n

    Completion is the day the money is sent to the seller and you can collect the keys. This is the day you legally own the property.<\/p>\n \n<\/section>\n\n

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    Timeline After Your Offer Is Accepted<\/h2>\n

    The time after an accepted offer can vary. Some purchases move quickly, while others take longer because of chains, mortgage delays, leasehold checks, or legal enquiries.<\/p>\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    Stage<\/th>\n What Happens<\/th>\n Typical Time<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    Offer Accepted<\/td>\n Seller agrees to your offer price<\/td>\n Day 1<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Solicitor Instructed<\/td>\n You choose a conveyancer to start legal work<\/td>\n 1 to 3 days<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Mortgage Application<\/td>\n You complete your full mortgage application<\/td>\n 1 to 2 weeks<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Survey and Valuation<\/td>\n The property is checked by surveyor or lender<\/td>\n 1 to 3 weeks<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Searches and Enquiries<\/td>\n Legal checks and questions are completed<\/td>\n 2 to 8 weeks<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Exchange of Contracts<\/td>\n The sale becomes legally binding<\/td>\n When all checks are complete<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Completion<\/td>\n You pay the balance and collect the keys<\/td>\n Often 1 to 4 weeks after exchange<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n \n<\/section>\n\n
    \n

    Common Costs After Your Offer Is Accepted<\/h2>\n

    After your offer is accepted, you may need to pay several home buying costs before completion.<\/p>\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    Cost<\/th>\n Simple Meaning<\/th>\n Typical UK Estimate<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    Solicitor or Conveyancer Fees<\/td>\n Legal work for buying the property<\/td>\n \u00a3800 to \u00a32,000+<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Property Searches<\/td>\n Local authority, water, drainage, and area checks<\/td>\n \u00a3250 to \u00a3500+<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    House Survey<\/td>\n Checks the condition of the property<\/td>\n \u00a3400 to \u00a31,500+<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Mortgage Valuation<\/td>\n Lender checks the property value<\/td>\n \u00a30 to \u00a31,500<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Mortgage Arrangement Fee<\/td>\n Lender fee for setting up the mortgage<\/td>\n \u00a30 to \u00a32,000+<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Stamp Duty or Property Tax<\/td>\n Tax paid when buying property<\/td>\n Depends on price and location<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Removal Costs<\/td>\n Moving your belongings<\/td>\n \u00a3500 to \u00a32,000+<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n \n<\/section>\n\n
    \n

    Real-World Example<\/h2>\n

    Imagine you offer \u00a3280,000 on a house in England and the seller accepts. Here is what may happen next:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The estate agent confirms the offer by email.<\/li>\n
    2. You instruct a conveyancing solicitor.<\/li>\n
    3. You submit your full mortgage application.<\/li>\n
    4. Your lender arranges a mortgage valuation.<\/li>\n
    5. You book a home survey.<\/li>\n
    6. Your solicitor reviews the contract and orders searches.<\/li>\n
    7. Your solicitor asks questions about the property.<\/li>\n
    8. You receive your mortgage offer.<\/li>\n
    9. You agree a completion date with the seller.<\/li>\n
    10. You exchange contracts and later complete the purchase.<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n
      \n Simple example:<\/strong> If the survey finds a roof problem, you may ask the seller to fix it, reduce the price, or provide more information before you exchange contracts.\n <\/blockquote>\n \n<\/section>\n\n
      \n

      What Can Go Wrong After an Offer Is Accepted?<\/h2>\n

      Most property purchases move forward, but problems can happen before exchange of contracts.<\/p>\n