What happens after your offer is accepted?

Getting an offer accepted is a huge moment.

It can feel exciting, emotional and slightly unreal - especially if you have spent weeks or months viewing houses, refreshing property portals and wondering whether it would ever happen.

But once the excitement settles, the next question usually appears:

What happens now?

An accepted offer is an important step, but it is not the same as the sale being legally confirmed.

In England and Wales, the transaction usually only becomes legally binding at exchange of contracts.

Until then, there are still several stages to work through, and either side may still be able to withdraw. The Law Society’s conveyancing guidance confirms that the process includes a series of steps before completion, including contract work, searches, enquiries and exchange.

What usually happens next?

Once your offer is accepted, the estate agent will usually issue a memorandum of sale. This is sent to the buyer, seller and both sets of solicitors or conveyancers. It confirms the agreed price and the main parties involved.

You will usually need to:

  • instruct a solicitor or conveyancer

  • submit or progress your mortgage application

  • arrange a survey

  • provide ID and source of funds information

  • complete initial paperwork

  • start thinking about removals, insurance and timelines

Your solicitor will begin the legal work. If you are buying, this may include reviewing the draft contract pack, ordering searches and raising enquiries. If you are selling, your solicitor will prepare the contract papers and send them to the buyer’s solicitor.

Here's a handy moving house checklist.

Why does this stage feel so uncertain?

This part of the move can feel strange and disconcerting because lots is happening, but not always visibly.

You may be waiting for searches, survey results, mortgage approval, replies from the other side, management pack information, leasehold details or chain updates.

That can make it feel as though nothing is moving, even when a lot of work is happening behind the scenes.

What should you keep track of?

At this stage, it helps to keep a clear record of:

  • your solicitor’s details

  • the estate agent's details

  • your mortgage adviser or lender details (including any account numbers)

  • survey booking and results

  • outstanding documents

  • searches and enquiries raised/asked

  • important dates

  • what questions you need to ask

How Settli can help

Settli gives you one calm place to track the moving process after your offer is accepted.

Instead of trying to manage everything through emails, memory, notebooks and random phone notes, you can keep your tasks, contacts, dates and outstanding questions together.

That way, you can see what has happened, what is still waiting, and what may need chasing next.

Stay on top of your move, from key tasks to awkward chasers.

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