Sale Agreed: What Happens Next When Buying a House

Getting the words “sale agreed” is an exciting moment when you’re buying your first home. After weeks or months of searching, viewings and making offers, it can feel like you’ve finally reached the finish line.

But there are still a few important steps to complete before the property officially becomes yours.

If you’re a first-time buyer, the process between sale agreed and getting the keys can seem confusing. So, here’s what you can generally expect after your offer has been accepted.

1. Pay the Booking Deposit

Once your offer has been accepted, the estate agent will usually ask you to pay a booking deposit.

The booking deposit is paid to the estate agent and is generally refundable until contracts are signed and exchanged. The amount can vary depending on the property and circumstances.

It’s important to understand that paying the booking deposit doesn’t mean you legally own the property. The sale still needs to progress through the legal and mortgage processes.

Your estate agent should explain the deposit arrangements to you before you make the payment.

2. Instruct Your Solicitor

If you haven’t already chosen a solicitor, now is the time to get one involved.

Your solicitor will handle the legal side of the purchase, including reviewing the property’s title, dealing with the seller’s solicitor and preparing you for signing the contract.

For first-time buyers, it can be helpful to choose a solicitor who regularly deals with residential property transactions. Don’t be afraid to ask about their fees and what is included before proceeding.

3. Contracts Are Issued

The seller’s solicitor will prepare and issue the contract for sale and the relevant property documentation to your solicitor.

Your solicitor will review these documents and may raise queries with the seller’s solicitor if anything needs clarification.

This stage can sometimes take longer than buyers expect, particularly if additional information or documentation is required.

Try not to worry if things don’t happen immediately. Your solicitor should keep you updated as the transaction progresses.

4. Consider Getting a Property Survey

A property may look perfect during a viewing, but a viewing isn’t a substitute for an independent inspection.

A property survey can help identify potential issues that may not be obvious to an untrained eye. Depending on the property, this could include problems with damp, roofing, insulation, structural elements or other areas requiring attention.

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing an older property, getting an independent survey can provide valuable information before committing to the purchase.

5. Complete Your Mortgage Requirements

If you’re buying with a mortgage, there are several steps to complete with your lender.

Your lender will generally require a valuation of the property to establish its value for lending purposes.

It’s important to understand that a bank valuation is not the same thing as a detailed structural survey. A valuation is primarily for the lender’s purposes, whereas an independent survey is intended to give the buyer more information about the condition of the property.

Make sure you have completed all outstanding requirements with your lender and that your mortgage approval is in place before moving towards closing.

6. Review and Sign the Contracts

Once your solicitor has completed their legal checks and any relevant queries have been addressed, you’ll be asked to sign the contract for sale.

This is an important stage, so make sure you understand what you’re signing. If you have questions about the contract or the property documentation, ask your solicitor before signing.

Once contracts have been signed and exchanged, the transaction becomes much more legally committed than it was at the initial offer stage.

Your solicitor will explain the specific implications of signing in your circumstances.

7. Pay the Contract Deposit

At this stage, you’ll generally need to pay the balance of the deposit required under the contract.

This is different from the initial booking deposit paid when the property first became sale agreed.

Your solicitor will explain exactly how much is required, when it needs to be paid and how the payment should be made.

If you’re using mortgage finance, it’s important to make sure your solicitor and lender have everything they need so that the transaction can move towards closing.

8. Prepare for Closing

Once the legal and mortgage requirements have been completed, the purchase can move towards closing.

Before closing, your solicitor will work with the seller’s solicitor and your lender to make sure the necessary documents and funds are in place.

This is also a good time to start preparing for the practical side of moving.

You might want to:

• Arrange home insurance
• Organise utilities
• Arrange broadband
• Book a removal company
• Start packing
• Arrange time off work for moving day
• Confirm how and when you’ll collect the keys

9. Closing the Sale

Closing is the stage where the purchase is completed.

Your solicitor will arrange for the purchase funds to be transferred and the necessary legal documents to be completed.

Once the transaction has closed and the seller’s solicitor has confirmed completion, the estate agent can normally arrange for you to collect the keys.

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for — you’re finally ready to move into your new home.

10. After You Get the Keys

Getting the keys isn’t quite the end of the process.

Your solicitor will continue dealing with the registration of your ownership and other post-closing legal matters.

From a practical point of view, there are a few things worth doing when you first move in.

Take meter readings

Take photographs of your electricity, gas and water meters where applicable. Keeping a record of the readings on the day you move in can be useful.

Check the property

Before unpacking everything, have a quick look around the house and make a note of anything that needs attention.

Change the locks

Some new homeowners choose to change the locks after moving in. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you control who has keys to the property.

Update your address

Remember to update your address with your bank, employer, insurance providers, government services and any other organisations that need your current details.

How Long Does the Process Take?

There’s no single timeframe for going from sale agreed to getting the keys.

The process can be affected by a number of factors, including:

• How quickly contracts are issued
• The complexity of the property’s title
• Mortgage requirements
• Property searches and legal queries
• Whether there is a chain of transactions
• How quickly both parties respond to requests
• Any issues discovered during the process

This is why it’s best not to make firm moving arrangements until your solicitor confirms that the transaction is ready to close.

A Simple Sale Agreed Checklist

Once your offer has been accepted, keep this checklist handy:

☐ Pay the booking deposit
☐ Instruct your solicitor
☐ Provide your solicitor with the required documentation
☐ Complete outstanding mortgage requirements
☐ Arrange a property survey if you want one
☐ Review the contract with your solicitor
☐ Sign the contract
☐ Pay the required contract deposit
☐ Arrange home insurance
☐ Prepare for closing
☐ Arrange your move
☐ Complete the purchase
☐ Collect your keys 🔑

Finally, Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Buying your first home is a major financial commitment, and it’s completely normal to have questions during the process.

Your estate agent, solicitor and mortgage provider each have different roles to play, so make sure you understand who is responsible for each part of the process.

Most importantly, don’t feel pressured to sign something you don’t understand. If you’re unsure about anything, ask your solicitor to explain it before proceeding.

Sale agreed is a major milestone — but the journey isn’t quite over yet. With the right preparation and professional advice, you can work through each stage and look forward to the day you finally turn the key in your new front door.