What Do Estate Agents Do After Offer Accepted?

Estate agents list a property, do all the necessary marketing, and negotiate offers on behalf of the seller. But what do estate agents do after an offer has been accepted? And when do other advisers, like solicitors, get involved?

After an offer has been accepted, an estate agent has a vital part to play throughout the entire property transaction. Essentially, it acts as the glue that holds everything together. Here, we look at what happens after you’ve had an offer accepted, the role of an estate agent during this very important process, and how they help keep things on track until completion day. So, what do estate agents do after an offer is accepted?

What happens once you’ve had an offer accepted on your home?

The real work starts once your offer is accepted although it isn’t legally binding at this stage. This is when all the vital cogs start moving. Solicitors get involved to begin the conveyancing process, including ordering local authority searches and environmental searches.

If you haven’t done so already, choose a good, communicative solicitor. They can then get underway with the necessary property checks.

As the buyer, you also have the option to arrange a property survey through a qualified surveyor. This isn’t handled by your solicitor; it’s up to you if you want to book one to check the condition of the property. While not compulsory, many buyers choose to do this either once their offer is accepted or after they’ve received their formal mortgage offer, as it can highlight any issues before you commit fully.

As the buyer, you’ll need to progress and complete your mortgage application to keep the sale moving. This might include providing bank statements, proof of income, and any supporting documents your lender needs. You should already have a mortgage in principle.

The lender will send someone (a surveyor or valuer) to do a formal mortgage valuation. This is a check to make sure the property you want to buy is worth what you’ve agreed to pay for it. Sometimes people confuse a mortgage valuation with a property survey, but they are not the same.

A valuation is done for the lender’s benefit. It’s simply to confirm the property is worth the loan amount. Whereas a survey is for your benefit as the buyer, giving you a detailed report on the property’s condition.

If everything checks out, so your documents are approved, and the valuation stacks up the lender then gives you a confirmed mortgage offer. This is the official, binding document saying: “We will lend you this money, under these conditions, to buy this property.”

There are multiple moving parts during a property sale, especially if you’re in a property chain. It all kicks into gear once you’ve had that all-important offer accepted, leading you towards a confirmed completion date.

What will an estate agent do after an offer has been accepted?

What do estate agents do after an offer is accepted? Many people think the estate agent’s job is done once the sale is agreed. Wrong! This is where a good estate agent is worth their weight in gold.

At this point in the process, they are there to help the sale progress and support the entire conveyancing process. They liaise with their client (the seller), both sides’ solicitors and the person buying the property. It’s all about communication at this stage of the game to ensure the deal moves forward.

Memorandum of sale

As soon as the offer is accepted, the estate agent will issue a Memorandum of Sale to the vendor, buyer, and their solicitors. It typically will include:

• The property address and details (specifying if it’s a flat, house, etc)
• Link to the property particulars
• The agreed sale price and details of any extras
• The full names, correspondence address and contact details of the seller and buyer as they appear on their passport or driving licence. This is important as some sellers’ lawyers will draft the contract and transfer at the outset of the transaction. If this is not completely accurate, it can cause significant delays for the whole transaction.
• Contact details of the solicitors representing the seller and buyer
• If the property is leasehold or a managed freehold, you’ll need to provide the name and contact details of the managing agents, freeholder, or rent charge owner so they can supply a management pack
• The HMRC Land Registry number
• Expected dates for exchange and completion day, any special circumstances
• Information about the property tenure i.e., freehold or leasehold
• Any special conditions agreed as part of the sale, i.e., is the sale subject to certain conditions being met?
• Completed Property Information Questionnaire

Offer recommendations

Appointing a solicitor straight away can reduce the overall process significantly. If you’re struggling to find a solicitor, most estate agents know reputable local solicitors. This can be helpful because they know the local property market and its specific nuances, including how to handle local authority searches, environmental searches, and potential delays in getting a confirmed completion date.

Problem solving

If there are any issues along the way, such as delays in the process or complications with the condition of the property, your estate agent should try and smooth everything out. They are the go-to point for both the seller and buyer. The agent will be in continuous contact with all parties, including mortgage lenders and solicitors, to make sure everything is going to plan.

Point of contact

An estate agent will remain on hand to answer any further queries that might arise from the conveyancing process or from the buyer. Basically, if there’s something you’re unsure about, ask the agent. The best estate agents are quick to respond, answer questions promptly and ease any concerns, right through to completion day.

What can sellers and buyers do to help keep things moving?

While the estate agent is still vital once an offer has been accepted, sellers and buyers can also play a pivotal role to keep things moving. For instance, the quicker you respond to queries from solicitors, mortgage lenders, or your removals company, the faster you can get to the exchange of contracts.

Respond quickly to queries

Solicitors and mortgage lenders will ask for and share a lot of documentation once conveyancing starts, including bank statements. The quicker everyone responds to queries, such as providing information for the mortgage application, reviewing the mortgage valuation, or discussing the condition of the property following a survey, the faster the deal can move on to the next stage.

Have all necessary documentation to hand

As a homeowner, you will have accumulated plenty of paperwork relating to the workings of your home. For example, the manual for the boiler or receipts for any fixtures and fittings you had put in. Having these to hand and taking steps to resolve any issues like missing certificates early in the process will help you be as responsive to queries as possible.

Keep a record of your communications

Keep a record of all correspondence you receive during the sale process. It will make things easier to refer back to and reference any previous answers to queries. You’ll receive plenty of correspondence, including information from the Land Registry and other important details. Having a good filing system for everything can also make a huge difference.

Don’t be afraid to ask the estate agent questions

If you have any questions or concerns, ask the estate agent. They will be in continuous contact with all parties and have the best overview of the sale. The estate agent should be able to help you with aspects like timelines, completion dates and explain anything you might not understand.

From offer to keys

Selling and buying property is the most expensive transaction many of us will ever undertake. There are so many moving and varied parts that go into a property sale. Understandably, it can feel a little daunting at times. If, however, you’re working with a good estate agent, they can help both the seller and buyers at each and every step, through to a successful completion day.

As I said before, a good, qualified estate agent is worth their weight in gold. If you’re selling your home and scratching your head about who to use, then we can help you find a qualified estate agent in your area.

FAQ’s on offer accepted

What not to tell an estate agent when viewing?

It’s wise to keep certain details to yourself, like your maximum budget, how much you love the property, your moving deadline, or your mortgage approval amount, as these can unintentionally weaken your negotiating position. This isn’t about mistrusting the agent (who must follow professional standards), but about protecting your own interests in the buying process.

What happens after you offer on a house?

The seller can accept, reject, or counter-offer. If accepted, the sale is subject to contract until legal checks, surveys, local authority searches, environmental searches, and mortgage approval are complete.

Offer accepted on the house, but it is still on the market?

The estate agent works for the seller, so it may stay listed for backup offers or due to an outdated advert. Ask for it to be marked “Sold Subject to Contract” and follow up in writing to confirm the price, provide solicitor details, and request no further viewings or offers.

What is the next step after you have an offer accepted on a house?

Instruct a solicitor, arrange a survey to check the condition of the property, and complete your mortgage application.

Once an offer is accepted on a house how long does it take to close?

On average, it takes 60–75 days from listing to completion date, but it can stretch to 4–6 months if there are complications or delays, for example, issues in the property chain, slow legal processes, or waiting for management packs and other essential documents.

Last Updated: August 18th, 2025