From Offer Accepted to Completion: What Really Happens Next

For many sellers, the period between offer accepted and completion feels like the most intimidating part of the sale.

It's also the stage most commonly misunderstood.

Many sellers assume estate agents "manage everything" after an offer is agreed.

In reality, once a sale is agreed, the process becomes a legal transaction led by solicitors — not agents.

This article explains:

• What happens after an offer is accepted
• Who is responsible for each stage
• Where delays usually occur
• Why this process works the same way whether or not an agent is involved

What Does "Offer Accepted" Actually Mean?

When a seller accepts an offer:

• The price and basic terms are agreed
• The property is typically marked as sold subject to contract
• No party is legally bound yet

At this point, the transaction moves from a marketing exercise into a legal process.

The Role of the Solicitors

Once an offer is accepted, both parties instruct solicitors or licensed conveyancers.

The seller's solicitor will:

• Issue draft contracts
• Respond to enquiries
• Liaise with the buyer's solicitor
• Agree a completion date
• Handle exchange and completion

The buyer's solicitor will:

• Carry out searches
• Review the contract
• Raise enquiries
• Receive mortgage instructions

This solicitor-to-solicitor process is the backbone of every residential sale.

What Happens to the Estate Agent at This Stage?

Contrary to popular belief, estate agents do not control the legal process.

After an offer is agreed:

• Agents may pass on updates
• Some provide or outsource sales progression
• They do not prepare contracts
• They do not handle funds
• They do not control exchange or completion

The transaction progresses based on the speed and cooperation of solicitors, lenders, surveyors and buyers — not agents.

What Is Sales Progression?

Sales progression involves:

• Chasing updates between parties
• Keeping communication moving in a chain
• Highlighting delays

This role is not legally required and is often carried out by:

• Independent sales progressors
• In-house staff (sometimes outsourced)
• Sellers or buyers themselves

Many sellers are unaware that sales progression is frequently separate from estate agency altogether.

Where Delays Usually Come From

Delays are rarely caused by whether a property was sold privately or through an agent.

Common causes include:

• Slow search results
• Mortgage offer delays
• Survey issues
• Chain dependencies
• Unanswered enquiries

These factors affect all property transactions.

Who Handles the Money?

At completion:

• Buyer funds are transferred to the seller's solicitor
• Mortgages are redeemed
• Sale proceeds are released

Estate agents do not handle completion funds.

This is always managed securely by solicitors.

Why Understanding This Stage Matters

Once sellers understand what happens after an offer is accepted, a key realisation follows:

This part of the process already operates independently of estate agents.

Whether a property was advertised through an agent or privately, the legal journey from offer to completion is the same.

Where Nestive Fits

Nestive sits before this stage.

It provides sellers with a dedicated platform to advertise their property directly to buyers — giving them a choice that historically didn't exist.

Once an offer is agreed:

• Solicitors take over
• The legal process runs as normal
• Professional safeguards remain fully in place

Nestive doesn't change the process.

It changes access and choice.

Understanding the Full Picture

Selling a property is not about removing professionals.

It's about understanding:

• What is legally required
• What is optional
• Where choice exists

Once sellers understand the full journey, they can decide how they want to sell — with clarity and confidence.