Your property sale journey

The Property Sale Process Explained

Every sale is different, but most follow a similar sequence. Here is what happens at each stage — and we will guide you through all of it.

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How it works

Six stages, start to finish

The process begins once we are formally instructed to act on your sale.

Some stages overlap, and progress depends on the buyer, any mortgage, the chain and how quickly third parties respond. Leasehold sales usually involve extra information and a few more steps.

Stage one

Initial instructions

We are instructed to act on your sale and send you our initial paperwork. We will usually ask you for:

Signed Terms of Engagement

Sales Particulars Form

Proof of identity and address

Property Information Form

Fittings and Contents Form

Overriding Interest Questionnaire

An initial payment of £400

Leasehold properties usually need extra information from the managing agent or freeholder, which is worth requesting early.

Stage two

Draft contracts

We apply to HM Land Registry for the Official Copy Entries — the registered title information for your property — and prepare the draft contracts.

Obtain the Official Copy Entries and review the title

Prepare the draft contract and assemble your forms

Send the draft contract package to the buyer's solicitor

How long does a sale take?

10-12 weeks for a freehold transaction to reach completion, measured from the date the contract papers are received at the buyer's solicitor's office — not the date the sale was agreed with the estate agents. Leasehold transactions may take longer.

No two transactions move at the same speed. A chain, outstanding enquiries, mortgage lenders, managing agents or missing information can all affect the timetable, and the completion date should not be treated as final until contracts are exchanged.

Stage three

Enquiries

The buyer's solicitor reviews the contract package and usually raises enquiries, along with a draft Transfer Deed. How many, and how detailed, varies from sale to sale.

We draft replies from the information you have given us

We come back to you where an answer or document is needed

We send the replies to the buyer's solicitor

We review the draft Transfer Deed

Stage four

Exchange of contracts

Once the enquiries have been answered, we arrange for you to sign the contract and Transfer Deed — at the office where possible, or by other arrangement. We then agree a completion date with the buyer's solicitor, and contracts are exchanged.

The sale becomes legally binding

Both parties are committed to the transaction

The completion date is agreed and normally fixed at this point

Stage five

Completion

Before the day we order a final redemption figure for your mortgage where applicable, and prepare a completion statement showing the proceeds of sale due to you.

Completion day

The buyer's solicitor sends the completion money. Once it has arrived, completion takes place, we deal with the legal transfer and confirm that the keys can be released. The exact time depends on when funds arrive.

Stage six

Sale proceeds

After completion we:

Repay your mortgage using the final redemption figure, where applicable

Settle the estate agent's invoice, where you have authorised us to

Deduct our fees and the costs you have agreed

Send you the balance of the sale proceeds

Conveyancing guidance

Guides to help you plan your move

Short, practical explanations of the parts people ask about most.

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