How long does it take from an offer being accepted on a house to moving in?

It’s generally expected that once you have an offer accepted, it will take 12 to 24 weeks to complete and move in. This can vary depending on how many searches are needed, how long they take to come back and if any issues arise. Your conveyancer will be able to provide an estimated date for completion.

Can I withdraw my offer on a house?

The sale of a house is not legally binding until the contracts have been signed and exchanged, meaning either party can pull out up until this stage. This also means that someone can also offer the sellers more money, and they can go with their offer instead, this is called gazumping .

When do I need to get home insurance after my offer is accepted?

Once you exchange contracts, although you won’t receive the keys for a few days, you will need to take out home insurance. This is in case anything happens to the property in these few days your money is protected, and you will receive any insurance money if the property is damaged. Your Eden conveyancer will indicate when you need to do this.

Can you view a property after your offer has been accepted?

You can view a property after your offer has been accepted and is often recommended. Common reasons to visit a property after your offer has been accepted include: Measure up for furniture, carpets, flooring, curtains etc. Check spacing of rooms and gaps for things such as fridges and washing machines. To take a builder and quote up any work you require. To take anyone else to visit who may be living with you. To discuss things with the seller such as good broadband, how the boiler works, bin collection days, who gas and electricity are set up with, etc.

What does the estate agent do after my offer is accepted on a house?

Remember, if you are buying a house, then the estate agent doesn’t work for you. They work for the seller and get paid by them, but they will help with the process and answer questions about things like the moving date. Here are the key steps estate agents will take after an offer is accepted on a property: Confirm details of the accepted offer to the buyer, including the agreed purchase price, proposed completion timelines, and any other relevant information. Update the property listing status as the transaction proceeds. Prepare memorandum of sale to send to both buyer and seller. Prompts the seller’s conveyancer to draft the sale contract and send it to the buyer’s conveyancer along with title deed information. Maintain communication with the buyer and seller to ensure progress is made towards the exchange of contracts . Upon exchange of contracts, inform all parties and re-confirm the target completion date. Hand over the property keys on completion day. Assist with any after-sale issues that arise for buyer or seller. Whilst conveyancers will handle the legal work, estate agents need to remain communicative and involved with all parties in the property transaction after your offer has been accepted.

SSTC means Sold Subject to Contract, which is where the seller has agreed to sell the property for a specific price but are waiting for legal contracts to be signed. Whilst a house is under SSTC, other buyers can try to gazump the price and both the seller and buyer can pull out of the sale.

What happens after you've had an offer accepted on a house?

Follow our comprehensive step-by-step guide to navigate the process after your house offer is accepted.

Last updated 24 Dec 2025

An illustration of a family home that has boxes inside to represent the moving process.

Key takeaways

An accepted offer is not legally binding until contracts are exchanged

You'll need three key professionals: a mortgage broker, surveyor, and conveyancer

The process involves six main stages from instruction through to post-completion

You should request the property be taken off the market to prevent gazumping

Building insurance must be arranged from the point of exchange, not completion

What happens after an offer is accepted on a house?

Having an offer accepted on a house is an exciting milestone in your home buying journey, but it's important to understand this is just the beginning of the legal process.

Until contracts are exchanged (typically 8-12 weeks later), neither party is legally committed to the sale.

During this period, you'll need to arrange a mortgage, hire a conveyancer, conduct property surveys, and complete various legal checks before you can officially call the property yours.

This guide walks you through each essential step from accepted offer to getting your keys, helping you navigate the process smoothly, especially if you're a first-time buyer.

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What happens after you've had an offer accepted on a house?

Follow our comprehensive step-by-step guide to navigate the process after your house offer is accepted.

What happens after an offer is accepted on a house?

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