What happens after your offer is accepted? A step-by-step guide

Your offer has been accepted. That's the good news. The harder news is that the purchase isn't done, and the next 8–12 weeks are where most of the work (and most of the delays) actually happen.

Between now and getting the keys, you'll need a solicitor, a survey, a mortgage offer, and a fair amount of patience. Here's what to expect and when.

Why this part can feel confusing

Most buyers prepare carefully for the search and the offer, then feel suddenly lost once it's accepted. That's because the process shifts from something you control (choosing a home, deciding what to offer) to something largely managed by solicitors, lenders, and surveyors on different timelines. Nobody gives you a single, clear plan.

The step-by-step process

Week 1: Contact your mortgage broker

If you've been working with a mortgage broker, this is your first call. Let them know your offer has been accepted, the agreed price, and the property details. They'll submit your full mortgage application to the lender and can often recommend a conveyancer and surveyor too.

If you have a mortgage in principle, it's not a guarantee, the lender still needs to assess the specific property and verify your circumstances. The sooner your broker gets this moving, the sooner you'll have a formal mortgage offer.

If you're a cash buyer, this step doesn't apply, but you'll still need to provide proof of funds to your conveyancer and the seller's solicitor.

Need an introduction to a broker?

We have signed up trustworthy brokers across the country that can be contacted directly through Property Looker:

Week 1–2: Instruct your solicitor or conveyancer

This is the first thing to do, ideally the same day your offer is accepted. Your conveyancer handles the legal side of the purchase: checking the title, raising enquiries, and preparing for exchange of contracts.

• If you haven't already chosen one, get quotes and instruct one immediately. Delays here delay everything.
• Expect to pay £1,000–£2,000 including disbursements (searches, Land Registry fees, etc.).
• Your conveyancer will ask you for ID, proof of funds, and your mortgage details.

Week 1–2: Consider booking a survey

Your mortgage lender will arrange a basic valuation to check the property is worth what you're paying. But that valuation is for them, not for you. It won't tell you about damp, structural issues, or a roof that needs replacing in five years.

A survey is not a legal requirement, you can buy a property without one. But it's strongly recommended, especially for older or unusual properties. The purpose is to give you an independent, professional assessment of the property's condition before you commit. It can uncover hidden problems that aren't visible during a viewing: things like subsidence, faulty electrics, or failing roof timbers.

Crucially, a survey can flag issues that give you grounds to renegotiate the price, ask the seller to carry out repairs, or walk away before you're legally committed. Without one, you're taking on those risks blind.

There are two main types:

• Level 2 (HomeBuyer Survey) suitable for most standard properties in reasonable condition. Covers the overall state of the property and highlights any significant issues. Typically £400–£600.
• Level 3 (Building Survey) a more detailed inspection recommended for older properties (pre-1930s), unusual construction, or anything you're concerned about. It goes into the fabric of the building and is more thorough. Typically £600–£1,000+.

If you're unsure which you need, a good rule of thumb: if the property was built before 1930 or has had significant alterations, go for a Level 3. For most standard post-war homes in reasonable condition, a Level 2 will do. You can read more about survey types here: Guide to RICS Survey Types

Week 2–4: Your conveyancer raises enquiries

Once instructed, your conveyancer will:

• Order local authority searches (flooding, planning, environmental risks)
• Review the title documents
• Raise enquiries with the seller's solicitor; questions about boundaries, disputes, fixtures and fittings, any alterations made to the property

This is often where delays happen. Enquiries go back and forth between solicitors, and some sellers are slow to respond. You can't control this, but you can chase your conveyancer regularly.

Week 2–4: Mortgage offer

Your lender will process your application and arrange their valuation. Once they're satisfied, they issue a formal mortgage offer. Usually valid for 3–6 months.

• If you already have a mortgage in principle, this stage is mostly about the lender verifying the property and your financial details.
• If anything has changed (new credit, job change, different property price), flag it early.

Week 4–8: Waiting, chasing, and resolving issues

This is the part nobody warns you about. Most of the time between offer accepted and exchange is spent waiting for:

• Search results to come back
• Enquiry responses from the seller's side
• Mortgage offer to be issued
• Survey issues to be discussed or renegotiated

If you're in a chain (your seller is also buying, and so on), every link needs to reach the same point before anyone can exchange. One slow solicitor anywhere in the chain holds everyone up.

What you can do:

• Chase your conveyancer weekly, politely but consistently
• Respond to any requests from your solicitor or lender the same day
• Keep your mortgage broker in the loop if timelines are slipping

Week 8–12: Exchange of contracts

This is the moment it becomes legally binding.

Before exchange:

• Your conveyancer will send you the contract to review and sign
• You'll need to transfer your deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price)
• You'll agree a completion date with the seller
• Buildings insurance must be in place from exchange, your lender requires it

Once contracts are exchanged, neither side can pull out without serious financial consequences. Before this point, either party can walk away.

Week 10–14: Completion

On completion day:

• Your solicitor transfers the remaining funds to the seller's solicitor
• Once the money lands, the keys are released
• You can move in

Completion usually happens 1–2 weeks after exchange, though it can be the same day.

What can go wrong

Being honest: things do go wrong between offer and completion. The most common issues:

• Survey reveals problems, you may need to renegotiate the price or ask the seller to fix something before you proceed
• Mortgage offer delayed or declined, usually because of a valuation issue or a change in your financial circumstance.
• Seller pulls out or accepts a higher offer (gazumping), legal in England and Wales until exchange.
• Chain collapses, someone further up or down the chain pulls out, affecting everyone.
• Slow searches or enquiries, local authority searches can take weeks in some areas.

None of these are guaranteed. But knowing they're possible means you won't be blindsided.

Note: In Scotland, the process is different. Offers are legally binding much earlier (at "conclusion of missives"), so gazumping is rare and the timeline is generally shorter.

A rough timeline

Stage Typical timing
Offer accepted Day 1
Instruct solicitor & book survey Week 1
Searches ordered Week 1–2
Survey completed Week 2–3
Mortgage offer issued Week 2–4
Enquiries resolved Week 3–8
Exchange of contracts Week 8–12
Completion & keys Week 10–14

These are averages. Some sales complete in 6 weeks. Some take 6 months. The biggest factor is the chain.

What you should do right now

If your offer has just been accepted:

• Instruct a conveyancer today, don't wait!
• Book a survey this week
• Make sure your mortgage application is submitted
• Get buildings insurance quotes ready for exchange
• Ask your estate agent for a timeline and who else is in the chain

The period between offer and exchange is when most sales fall through. The best thing you can do is move quickly, stay organised, and keep communication open with everyone involved.

Find all professionals you need for a smooth property purchase here: