How Long to Sell a House After an Offer is Accepted?

Once you've accepted an offer, it might feel like the hard part is over. But between offer acceptance and moving day, a few more steps are needed to finalise the sale. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, why it can take a while, and some advice to help smooth the way.

What Happens Between Offer Acceptance and Completion?

The time from offer acceptance to completion day typically involves several stages. Here’s what each step means and why it’s important.

1. Take the Property Off the Market
   When you accept an offer, it’s customary to take the property off the market. This signals commitment to potential buyers and reduces the chance of “gazumping” (accepting a higher offer from another buyer).
2. Complete Your Mortgage Application
   If you’re buying, now’s the time to finalise your mortgage application with your chosen lender. The mortgage lender will conduct a mortgage valuation to confirm the property’s worth, which typically takes a few days to a week.
3. Find a Conveyancing Solicitor
   Both buyer and seller need a conveyancing solicitor to handle legal aspects of the property sale, including contracts, payments, and property searches. Having a responsive solicitor can make a big difference in keeping things on track.
4. Conveyancing Searches
   Your solicitor will conduct searches on the property, covering everything from land boundaries to flood risks and local authority planning. This conveyancing process usually takes 1-3 weeks but can take longer depending on market conditions and the speed of the local authority.
5. Pre-Contract Enquiries
   During this phase, your solicitor may raise specific questions with the seller’s solicitor about the property’s details. These pre-contract enquiries ensure there are no surprises, like boundary issues or restrictive covenants, before signing the contract.
6. Exchange of Contracts
   Once all checks are complete and everyone’s happy, you’ll exchange contracts. At this stage, you’re legally bound to complete the sale, and the buyer usually pays a deposit. The agreed-upon completion date is set at this time, often a week or two after exchange.
7. Completion Day
   On the day of legal completion, the buyer’s mortgage funds are transferred, and the sale is officially done. The keys are handed over, and the property sale is finalised.

Why Does It Take So Long to Sell a House?

With so many steps, it’s easy to see why the typical timescale between offer and completion can feel lengthy. Common delays include:

• Search Delays: Some local authorities take longer to complete property searches than others, depending on the region.
• Mortgage Approval Delays: Mortgage applications can be delayed if further financial checks or additional documentation are required.
• Conveyancing Bottlenecks: A high workload can slow even the best conveyancers.
• Chain Complications: If your buyer or seller is in a property chain, the process depends on each party being ready to complete at the same time.

How Long Does It Take to Complete After Offer Accepted?

On average, it takes 8-12 weeks from offer acceptance to completion, but cash buyers and chain-free properties may complete quicker, sometimes within 4-6 weeks. For properties in a longer property chain or with complex legal checks, the process could stretch to 12-16 weeks or more.

What Happens if My Offer is Accepted, Then Rejected?

Until contracts are exchanged, there’s a chance the seller could accept a higher offer from another buyer—this is known as “gazumping.” If this happens, it can be frustrating, but there are a few ways to safeguard your sale. Moving quickly with a conveyancing solicitor and keeping a clear line of communication with your estate agent can help prevent delays that might put the sale at risk.

Is There a Quicker Way to Sell?

If the traditional selling process sounds long and drawn-out, you might be wondering if there's a faster alternative. The good news is, yes, there are options available if speed is your priority!

Upstix, for example, offers a much quicker route by providing an instant online offer on your home. Within just 30 seconds, you can receive a cash offer—much faster than waiting for multiple viewings, negotiations, and chains. With Upstix, you also skip the lengthy conveyancing process, as they handle all of this for you.

Once you accept the offer, completion can take as little as 7 days, meaning the money could be in your account in a fraction of the usual time. For sellers who need certainty, a guaranteed sale, or just want to avoid the hassle of traditional estate agents and unpredictable chains, this can be an ideal solution.

Final Thoughts

Though the house sale process between acceptance and completion can take time, each step helps ensure a secure and well-managed sale. By choosing a good solicitor, acting promptly, and staying informed about your sale’s progress, you can navigate the steps confidently, knowing your move is in good hands.

‍