House offer accepted: What now?

Key takeaways

• Instruct a regulated conveyancer immediately to start the conveyancing process.
• Contact your lender or broker to complete your formal mortgage application.
• Book an independent property survey to check for hidden defects.
• Start comparing removal quotes early to secure the best dates.

Hearing "your offer has been accepted" is one of the best moments in the property journey. You have every right to celebrate but keep the champagne cork nearby. Reaching an agreement on the price is only the beginning; the long legal and logistical journey is about to start, and by acting quickly you’ll avoid unnecessary stress later.

Disclaimer: This guide covers the home-buying process in England and Wales. The process differs in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What comes next after your offer has been accepted?

Once your offer is accepted, immediately instruct a conveyancer, finalise your mortgage application, and arrange a property survey. The estate agent will also issue a memorandum of sale to officially confirm the agreed price and the parties concerned.

Before the estate agent takes the property off the market, they will ask for proof of your identity and funds. This involves providing your agreement in principle from your mortgage lender together with a bank statement proving you have the money for your deposit. Once they have this, they draft the memorandum of sale. Though this document is not legally binding it acts as the official start of the transaction and includes the buyer, the seller, both legal representatives and the agreed purchase price.

Starting the conveyancing process

The conveyancing process handles the legal transfer of property ownership. Your legal expert will review draft contracts, conduct local authority searches, raise enquiries with the seller, and prepare final documents for the exchange of contracts.

You have a choice between a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer. Our guide explains the difference between a property solicitor and a conveyancer if you are unsure which to choose. Both can handle residential conveyancing; however, check that your chosen firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).

Your legal representative will apply for property searches to check for local issues like flood risks, planning permissions, and mining history. They will also check the title deeds with HM Land Registry to ensure the seller has the right to sell the home. As legal work takes time, it is important to get the right professional as early as possible. Before instructing a firm, consider these questions to ask your conveyancing solicitor about fees, communication and timescales.

You can compare conveyancing quotes through Moving Compared to find a trusted, regulated expert within your budget.

Finalising your formal mortgage application

As soon as your offer has been accepted, you should submit your complete mortgage application and get in touch with your lender or broker to upgrade your agreement in principle to a formal offer. This upgrade will require a hard credit check and property valuation. Your mortgage lender needs to confirm the property is worth the money they are lending. They will arrange a mortgage valuation, which is just a basic check done solely for their benefit.

Pro tip: Do not confuse a mortgage valuation with a property survey. The valuation is primarily for the lender’s benefit, while an independent survey gives you a more detailed assessment of the property’s condition — our guide on home survey explained offer more insight on the different levels of surveys.

Which property survey should you choose?

The right option depends on the property's age, type and condition. A level 2 survey is appropriate for standard, modern homes, whereas a Level 3 survey is more thorough and suitable for older or obviously damaged properties. Our guide to Level 2 and Level 3 home surveys explains these differences in more detail.

Skipping a property survey can leave buyers facing unexpected repair costs after they move in. An independent surveyor will inspect the property for issues such as damp, subsidence, roof damage and structural defects, helping you understand its condition before you commit to the purchase. Find out what does a house survey check and the 10 common house survey problems in our guides.

If the surveyor finds significant problems, you may be able to use the report to renegotiate. Our guide explains how to negotiate after a home survey using evidence such as the survey findings and repair quotations. To get started, compare surveying quotes to find a RICS accredited professional in your area.

Navigating the buying process in a property chain

In a property chain the buying process is more complicated because your timeline depends on other transactions. A delay with one buyer or seller can hold up everyone, so communication between all conveyancers and estate agents is essential. If you are a first-time buyer purchasing an empty property, things can move relatively fast. However, if your seller is also buying a house, you are now part of a chain. Everyone in that chain must exchange contracts and complete on the same day. We recommend reading our guide on what happens on completion day and beyond for a more detailed breakdown of the legal steps.

Stay in regular contact with your conveyancer and estate agent to monitor progress along the chain.

When should you start looking for removal companies?

It is advisable to start comparing removal quotes a few weeks into the conveyancing process. However, wait until you have exchanged contracts and agreed on a firm completion date before paying a deposit to secure your booking. Leaving removals to the last minute is a common mistake that causes unnecessary panic. Good removal companies get booked quickly, especially on Fridays and at the end of the month.

Price is not only the consideration when choosing a removal company, so read our guide on how to choose the right removal company before making a booking. Look for companies registered with the British Association of Removers (BAR) to ensure a high standard of service. To budget properly, read our guide to getting accurate removal quotes so you know what information to provide and what to compare.

Reaching the exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts and completion are separate stages. Exchange is when the property transaction becomes legally binding, while completion is when the purchase money is transferred and you receive the keys.

Until contracts are exchanged, either party can usually withdraw without being in breach of the sale contract, although they may still lose money already spent on legal work, surveys, searches and mortgage fees. After exchange, both buyer and seller are legally committed to the transaction. A buyer who pulls out could lose their deposit and face further costs or legal action, while a seller who withdraws may also be liable for breach of contract and compensation.

Between exchange and completion, your conveyancer will carry out the final legal and financial preparations. On completion day, the remaining purchase funds are transferred to the seller’s conveyancer. Once the money has been received, the estate agent is authorised to release the keys, and you can take possession of your new home.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Mortgages and property purchases involve significant financial commitments. We strongly recommend consulting an independent financial adviser or regulated mortgage broker before making any decisions.

Final summary

Having your house offer accepted is an exciting milestone, but it starts a busy period of legal checks, financial approvals, and logistical planning. By instructing a regulated conveyancer early, arranging a thorough property survey, and staying on top of your mortgage application, you can keep the process moving smoothly.

Ready to tackle the next steps? Use Moving Compared to instantly compare trusted quotes for conveyancing, surveyors, and removals all in one place.