How Long to Sell a House After Offer Accepted

How Long to Sell a House After Offer Is Accepted

When an offer is accepted on a house, it can feel like the hardest part of the process is behind you. In reality, this is when the legal and financial machinery begins to move. For both buyers and sellers, the time between offer acceptance and final completion is often filled with anticipation and occasional frustration. Understanding how long it usually takes to sell a house after an offer has been accepted, and what can speed things up or cause delays, is essential for managing expectations and planning your next steps.

In the UK, the average time from offer accepted to completion is around twelve weeks. However, this can vary significantly depending on the property chain, the responsiveness of solicitors, the results of searches and surveys, and whether the buyer needs a mortgage. Some transactions complete in as little as six weeks, while others may drag on for several months. Knowing what happens during this phase will help you stay informed and proactive as the sale progresses.

The Timeline from Offer to Completion

Once an offer has been accepted, the property is considered under offer or sold subject to contract. This means that the agreement is not yet legally binding, but both parties intend to proceed. The buyer will instruct a solicitor or conveyancer, apply for a mortgage if needed, and arrange a property survey. At the same time, the seller will provide key documents and complete a set of legal forms to pass on important details about the property.

The buyer’s solicitor will request searches from the local authority and other bodies to uncover any planning or environmental issues. These searches can take several weeks, depending on the local council's processing times. Once the mortgage offer is received and all search results are back, the solicitor will report to the buyer and ask for confirmation to proceed. If everything is satisfactory, contracts can be exchanged.

Exchange of contracts is the legal commitment stage. At this point, both parties agree a fixed completion date and financial penalties apply if either party withdraws. Completion usually takes place one to two weeks after exchange, but it can be sooner or longer by mutual agreement.

Factors That Can Speed Up the Process

If the property is vacant and there is no onward chain, the process tends to move more quickly. Similarly, cash buyers who do not require a mortgage can avoid the delays associated with mortgage applications and lender valuations. Efficient and proactive solicitors on both sides can also make a substantial difference. The use of digital conveyancing tools and early preparation of documents such as the title deeds, Energy Performance Certificate and property information forms can all help avoid unnecessary hold ups.

If you are a seller, it helps to have all your paperwork ready and respond promptly to any enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitor. If you are a buyer, instruct your solicitor and arrange your survey as soon as possible. Staying in regular contact with your estate agent and solicitor can help keep the momentum going and address issues quickly when they arise.

Common Causes of Delay

Despite best intentions, property sales can stall for a variety of reasons. Delays in the return of local authority searches are a common problem, especially in areas with high transaction volumes. Mortgage lenders may also take longer than expected to issue formal offers, particularly if the application involves unusual circumstances or requires additional documentation.

Issues uncovered during the survey can lead to renegotiations, requests for repair or further investigations. Legal issues such as title defects, restrictive covenants or missing planning permissions can also add time to the process. If the property is leasehold, additional information will be required from the freeholder or managing agent, which often leads to further delays.

The most significant delays tend to occur in lengthy property chains. If your sale is dependent on the buyer selling their own property, or if you are buying another property at the same time, any problem further up or down the chain can impact your timeline. Chains collapse when one party pulls out, causing knock on effects that may result in the need to start over.

What Happens If the Sale Takes Too Long

If a sale takes too long, both buyer and seller may become frustrated or anxious. In some cases, mortgage offers may expire, and searches may need to be refreshed, which can incur additional costs. Delays can also lead to changes in circumstances that cause one party to withdraw, such as job changes, finance problems or changes of heart.

To protect against delays, some buyers and sellers agree target timelines and ask their solicitors to work towards these. While nothing is legally binding until contracts are exchanged, regular communication and clear expectations can help maintain trust and momentum.

It is also worth noting that buyers and sellers can pull out at any time before exchange without legal penalty. This makes the pre exchange period a time of uncertainty, and both parties have a vested interest in ensuring the process moves efficiently to avoid losing the deal.

Completion and Moving Day

Once contracts are exchanged, the completion date is fixed and everyone involved can prepare for moving day. Completion typically takes place around midday when the buyer’s solicitor transfers the funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once the money has arrived, the seller vacates the property and the keys are handed over to the new owner, usually via the estate agent.

While completion itself is usually a smooth process, it is important to have removal arrangements in place and be ready to move out promptly to avoid delays. Sellers should ensure the property is left in the agreed condition and that any agreed fixtures and fittings are either removed or left behind as stated.