Step-by-Step: The Journey from Offer to Completion Explained

Buying or selling a home in the UK can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Knowing what happens from the moment an offer is accepted until the sale is completed will help you stay in control. This guide breaks down the key steps, showing you how the process unfolds and what to expect at each stage.

Step 1: Offer Accepted – What Happens Next?

Once your offer is accepted, the legal process called conveyancing begins. This involves transferring the ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer.

At this point, you will instruct a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal work. For many, a firm like SAM Conveyancing is a helpful choice because they manage the process carefully and keep you informed throughout.

Step 2: Conveyancer Starts Legal Checks

Your conveyancer begins by gathering important documents, such as the property’s title deeds. They check if there are any legal restrictions or rights affecting the property.

Your conveyancer also orders searches with local authorities. These searches reveal if there are issues nearby, like planned roadworks or flood risks, that might affect the property’s value or your decision.

Step 3: Mortgage Arrangements and Surveys

If you need a mortgage, now is the time to finalise your mortgage offer. The mortgage lender may also require a survey to check the property’s condition.

Surveys vary, but a basic one might highlight major problems, while a more detailed survey looks at everything carefully. Knowing the property’s condition helps you avoid unexpected costs later.

Step 4: Reviewing the Results and Negotiations

Once all checks, searches, and surveys are complete, your solicitor will review the findings with you. If any issues appear, you may want to ask the seller to fix them or adjust the price.

At this stage, your conveyancer will draft the contract and share it with the seller’s solicitor for agreement.

Step 5: Exchange of Contracts

This is a key moment in the process. When both buyer and seller are happy with the terms, you exchange contracts. Signing the contract means you’re both legally committed to the sale.

You will pay a deposit, usually 5-10% of the purchase price, at this point. You’ll also agree on a completion date — the day when the sale will finalise and you can move in.

Step 6: Completion Day – Final Steps

Completion usually happens a few weeks after exchanging contracts. On this day, the buyer’s solicitor sends the remaining money to the seller’s solicitor.

Once the seller receives the funds, they hand over the keys, and the property officially becomes yours. Your conveyancer then registers your ownership with the Land Registry.

Step 7: After Completion

After completion, your solicitor will pay any Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) you owe on the property. They will also send all legal paperwork confirming your ownership.

This final stage closes the legal side of the sale, and you can settle into your new home with peace of mind.

Understanding these steps helps you feel more confident throughout the buying or selling process. The legal side may seem complex, but working with experienced conveyancers means you are supported at every turn.

Take your time to prepare, ask questions, and keep communication open. With the right knowledge, the journey from offer to completion becomes a clear path to your new home.

If you’re ready to start your property journey, knowing these steps will help you avoid surprises and move forward with confidence.