What happens after your offer on a property is accepted?

Last updated: March 12, 2026

Buying a home is a milestone, and having your offer accepted is a major step towards that end goal of getting your keys. But it’s also a moment that can feel uncertain, especially if you’re new to the process or managing practical and emotional pressures. This guide takes you step by step from “offer accepted” to exchange and completion, with common questions answered along the way. 

What ‘offer accepted’ really means (and what it doesn’t) 

• An accepted offer on a home (sometimes called “Sold Subject to Contract”) means the seller has agreed to your price but the sale isn’t legally binding yet. Contracts are only binding once they’ve been exchanged.  

• Until exchange, either party can withdraw without penalty, and transactions can fall through for many reasons, even when both sides are committed.  

Ask to have the property taken off the market 

It’s usually wise to ask the estate agent to mark the property as under offer or remove it from listings so that other potential buyers aren’t able to view it. While sellers aren’t legally obligated to do so, agreeing to this can reduce stress, and reduces the buyer’s risk of being outbid or gazumped.  

Instruct your conveyancing solicitor quickly 

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring a property from the seller to the buyer. As soon as the offer is agreed: 

• Choose and instruct a conveyancing solicitor or licensed conveyancer. It can be good to take recommendations for conveyancing services from family or friends, as the local area knowledge, quality and speed of conveyancing services can vary. 

• Conveyancers will carry out important checks (such as local authority searches, drainage and environmental searches) and manage paperwork with the seller’s solicitor.  

Complete your mortgage application (if applicable) 

If you’re buying with a mortgage: 

• Submit your full application (this is different from a Mortgage in Principle) 

• Provide income evidence, ID, bank statements and proof of deposit to your lender. 

• Your lender will then arrange a valuation: this is separate from a survey, and confirms the property’s value for lending purposes, so the lender can check they’re happy to lend on the property. This is usually carried out in person, but can sometimes be carried out online by the lender, making use of Land Registry details, and other sales data. 

If you don’t need a mortgage – whether due to savings, inheritance or other circumstances – you’ll still likely want a survey (covered in the next step) to protect your financial interests.  

Arrange a home survey 

A survey is a professional, non-intrusive inspection of a property, carried out by a surveyor, to check its condition. The report drawn up is designed to be clear and easy to understand, so potential buyers can make an informed decision about the property they’re considering buying. There are different types: 

• Home Survey Level One (previously Condition Report): A basic overview of the property, typically the cheapest option, and designed for newer or ‘conventional’ properties. It will flag urgent risks, but won’t offer guidance on how they might be managed 

• Home Survey Level Two (previously Homebuyer Report): A survey that checks the overall condition of a property and highlights issues that might need attention, like damp, structural movement or repairs. It’s worth noting that it will look at things the surveyor can see – so the report will only list issues that are physically visible. 

• Home Survey Level Three (previously Building Survey): The most detailed type of survey, which could be chosen if you’re looking to buy a very old, run down or particularly complex property. The surveyor will also outline how issues might be rectified, and how long they might take. This option is often used if buyers are hoping to make extensive structural changes to a property after moving in.  

Finding issues early can help you cost future repairs into your budget, or renegotiate with the seller where appropriate. 

How do home surveys differ in Scotland?  

A Home Report is a legal document required to sell property in Scotland. Unlike the England Home Surveys talked about above, these are paid for by the seller rather than the buyer, and are needed before a home is listed for sale. The report is split into three parts: 

• A single survey and valuation (a visual inspection, and an opinion on how much the home is worth) 

• A property questionnaire, covering things like alternations and extensions, and any past issues from things like storms 

• An energy report 

Understand the conveyancing timeline 

Timelines from accepted offer to completion can vary, based on things like how long a property chain is, and whether there are complexities that arise in the conveyancing process. As of March 2026, our data shows the average time from sale agreed to completion is 167 days, or 5.5 months. But as a general guide: 

Stage 1: Instruction of solicitors, mortgage application, surveys and valuation. 
Stage 2: Searches returned, enquiries raised, surveys reviewed. 
Stage 3: Final reports reviewed by both parties; queries resolved. 
Stage 4: Contracts exchanged; deposit paid and a completion date agreed. 
Completion Day: Final transfer of funds and keys.  

Every buying journey is different, and the ‘waiting’ part can feel long – particularly when you just want to get into your new home. Keeping communication open with your solicitor, mortgage broker (if you have one), and estate agent can help you navigate each step. 

FAQs

• Is my accepted offer legally binding?

  No. A seller or buyer can pull out without penalty until contracts are exchanged, even if you’ve paid for surveys or legal work.  

• What should I do if the property is still listed online?

  Ask the agent to update the status to under offer or subject to contract. If it remains actively marketed, it could expose you to gazumping – where another buyer swoops in with a higher offer.  

• Do I have to get a home survey?

  No. A Home Survey isn’t legally required, but skipping a survey means you won’t know about potential issues with the property, which could lead to costly surprises later.  

• How much does a home survey cost?

  According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the most basic home survey (Level One) costs a few hundred pounds, while the most expensive survey (Level Three) could cost in excess of £1,000. The most common survey (Level Two) sits somewhere in the middle. 

• What if my mortgage valuation comes in lower than the agreed price?

  Your lender may adjust how much they’ll lend. You can negotiate with the seller, make up the difference, or walk away from the purchase. The option you take could vary depending on your situation, and market conditions. 

• How often should I chase updates?

  Progress can feel slow; weekly updates from your conveyancer are reasonable, with more frequent contact as key milestones approach. 

And remember, even after an offer is accepted, delays and changes are common. Knowing what to expect can help you stay in control, and reduce stress until you get those keys in your hands.