What does ‘offer accepted’ mean?

When a home seller accepts a buyer’s offer, it means they have agreed to the price and any other terms proposed for the sale of their property. Your estate agent will now say that your property is “under offer” and they will send your conveyancer the memorandum of sale .

If an offer is accepted on a house sale, is it legally binding?

After you’ve accepted an offer on your property, the property transaction will move forward (as described above). But this does not mean that you, nor the buyer are legally bound to the transaction. You are not legally bound to the transaction until the exchange of contracts. At this point, if you were to pull out then you would need to return the exchange deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price). If the buyer pulls out, then they would risk losing their exchange deposit.

What do estate agents do after you’ve accepted an offer?

Once you’ve accepted an offer on your property, the estate agents’ main roles include: Issue a memorandum of sale containing the agreed price, buyer/seller details, and appointed conveyancers to all parties. This kicks off the conveyancing process. Assist in arranging access for the buyer’s surveyor to conduct their survey/valuation if required. Handle any further negotiations if queries arise from the survey reports. Work with conveyancers from both sides to push the sale towards exchange. Provide updates and chase for progress from the buyer and seller. Agree on a completion date that works for all parties involved as well as making sure it suits the rest of the property chain (if there is one).

How long to sell a house after an offer has been accepted?

After accepting an offer, expect the house sale process to take anywhere between 10 – 14 weeks. But remember, each transaction is unique, your journey could take longer, or it could be shorter. Here are some of the things that can impact your timeline: How quickly the buyer’s mortgage is approved (if applicable) Whether the property is freehold or leasehold (leasehold could take longer) If the property is part of a chain of sales and purchases (and how long that chain is) If any issues arise during conveyancing searches or surveys How quickly all parties (buyers, sellers, solicitors) respond and progress This is by no means an exhaustive list, if you want to learn more check out our conveyancing timeline guide .

Can I keep my house on the market after accepting an offer?

If you do keep your property on the market, then it means you can expect to still receive offers. Your buyer will likely ask if you can remove it from listings, as this would leave them prone to gazumping .

Can I reject a house offer?

Of course you can, although it’s common to go back to the buyer with a counteroffer to see if you can get closer to your asking price. If there is no room for negotiation, then it is your choice whether to accept or decline an offer on your property.

What's the fastest possible time to sell after accepting an offer?

In ideal circumstances, with no chain and a cash buyer, a sale could complete in as little as 4-6 weeks after offer acceptance. This rapid timeline is only possible when both parties have proactive conveyancers, there are no complications with property searches or surveys, and everyone involved is highly responsive. However, it’s important to note that this is exceptional, and most sales, even straightforward ones, typically take longer due to various factors in the conveyancing process.

What happens if the buyer pulls out after offer accepted?

If a buyer pulls out of the transaction before exchange of contracts, they can do so without any legal penalty, and you’ll need to find a new buyer. However, if they pull out after exchange, they risk losing their deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) as they’re legally bound to complete.

Do you have to accept an offer?

No, you're not obligated to accept any offer on your property, even if it's at your asking price. You can reject offers, negotiate for better terms, or wait for other buyers. It's your choice as the seller to decide which offer works best for your situation.

How long does it take to sell a house after offer is accepted?

From accepting an offer to completion typically takes 10-14 weeks. We explore the selling timeline, common delays, and how to speed up the process.

Last updated 24 Nov 2025

Illustration of three terrace homes with green front doors, wide windows and potted plants in the front.

Key takeaways

Expect the process of offer acceptance to completion to take 10-14 weeks on average

Consider instructing a conveyancer early, even before accepting an offer, this could speed up the process

Understand that you’re not legally bound until exchange of contracts

Stay informed about factors that can influence timelines, such as property searches, chain complexity and survey results

How long does it take to sell a house after accepting an offer?

Selling a house after accepting an offer typically takes 10-14 weeks from acceptance to completion, though this timeline can vary based on your unique situation.

Learn more: A complete guide to selling your home.

Each property transaction follows its own path, with several factors affecting how long it takes after accepting an offer:

Property searches: These can vary in duration depending on your local authority
Chain complexity: Longer chains generally mean more potential for delays
Survey results: Issues discovered may require renegotiation
Mortgage approval: Lender processing times vary considerably
Legal complications: Title issues or missing documents can cause unexpected delays

Your conveyancer will work with you to establish a realistic completion date based on your circumstances, coordinating with other transactions in your property chain to ensure a smooth process.

What happens after you accept an offer on your house?

At this exciting stage, you're one step closer to your next move – whether you're upscaling to a larger home, downsizing to something more manageable, or relocating to a new town or city.

Accepting an offer on a house marks a significant milestone, but it's just the beginning of weeks or months process before you can officially hand over the keys.

The moment your estate agent confirms "offer accepted," the legal process begins. Hiring a conveyancer ASAP is crucial, as they'll handle all legal aspects of selling your property and can significantly impact how long it takes to sell your house after the offer is accepted.

What happens between accepting an offer and completion?

After accepting an offer on a house, you'll begin a structured conveyancing process with distinct phases. Understanding each stage can help you better prepare and potentially speed up your sale:

Each of these stages requires coordination between multiple parties, so staying responsive throughout will help ensure the smoothest possible journey to completion.

Step 1: Instructing a conveyancer (1 to 2 weeks)

Unlike when buying a home, you don’t need to wait until you’ve had an offer accepted to hire (instruct) a conveyancer. As you own the property (and that’s not going to change), you can instruct a conveyancer as soon as your property is on the market.

While some tasks that involve working with the buyer’s conveyancer must wait until you have a buyer, instructing early can significantly reduce how long it takes to move house.

Guide: How to choose a conveyancer.

Your conveyancer can complete several crucial tasks before you find a buyer:

Verify your identity and address
Source your property's title deeds
Obtain lease documentation (for leasehold properties)
Draft the initial contract of sale
Help you complete property information forms

By addressing these tasks early, you can potentially shave weeks off your transaction timeline. While you can instruct a conveyancer after accepting an offer on your house, doing so means missing valuable preparation time that could make your sale more efficient.