Once an offer has been accepted, it may be tempting to think that your part in the sale is over. After all, you’ve agreed an asking price with your agent… surely your work is done?
While any estate agent worth their salt will be snapping into action now, putting their expertise to good use with the progression of the sale, there are some things you’ll still need to do to make it to completion.
In this guide, we’ll run through what happens after an offer has been accepted, offering tips on what you should do to help your sale to progress as smoothy as possible.
Step one: Instruct a conveyancer
Before you pop the champagne cork, it’s important to instruct a conveyancing solicitor to handle the legal aspects of your move. Your estate agent should be able to recommend a firm in your local area.
Top tip: Look for a conveyancer who offers a no move, no fee guarantee so you’re not liable for any costs if your buyer pulls out of the move.
Related: What is a conveyancer?
Step two: Get your documentation in order
To legally sell your house, sellers will need to have certain documentation, including:
A valid Energy Performance Certificate
For your property to be listed as ‘for sale’ it must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
An EPC shows how energy efficient your home is and is valid for 10 years.
If you don’t have an EPC, or your previous certificate has expired, your estate agent should be able to help you arrange a new assessment.
Proof of address and identification
Your solicitor will need proof of your identity through a valid photo driving licence, or a valid passport. They’ll also require proof of your address, which can be a recent utility bill or council tax statement.
Property title deeds
Your solicitor should obtain your property’s title deeds from the Land Registry, but if your property hasn’t been sold since 1990, you may have to provide them yourself.
Property registration only become mandatory in 1990 and if the Land Registry doesn’t have a copy of your deeds, you’ll need to provide them to prove you are the legal owner of your home.
Leasehold information pack
If your home is leasehold, you’ll need to provide your solicitor with a leasehold information pack.
This should be available from your freeholder and explains the terms of your property’s lease to a potential buyer, including any ground rent or service charges.
Fixtures and fittings and property information forms
Once you’ve found a buyer and accepted their offer, you’ll need to complete a TA10 form which details what fixtures and fittings will be included with your sale.
You’ll also need to complete a TA6 form alongside any certificates you have for things like windows or builder warranties.
Once completed, the TA6 form includes details on:
- Boundaries
- Neighbour disputes
- Planning permissions
- Insurance costs
- Flood risk and energy performance
- Parking
- Utilities and services, including the condition of wiring and heating systems
Step three: Keep in touch with your estate agent
Your estate agency may have a nominated sales progressor on their team to help get you to completion day. However, even if they don’t, it’s important to communicate with your agent while your sale is being finalised.
They’ll be able to advise you on searches and enquiries – including preliminary deeds, title deeds and fixtures and fittings confirmation – and other matters to do with your purchase or sale.
Step four: Exchange of contracts
Once you’ve agreed a completion date and your solicitor has completed much of their conveyancing work, you’ll be ready to exchange contracts, which will make your sale legally binding.
Your solicitor will usually exchange contracts with the other solicitor over the phone, which involves them reading out the contracts to ensure they’re identical. They’ll then send the signed contracts to each other right away by post.
Step five: Completion of your sale
On your completion day, a seller’s solicitor will:
Request a redemption certificate from your mortgage lender
This will calculate your outstanding mortgage balance up until the day.
Create a completion statement detailing all payments made and received
This will include the buyer’s purchase payment. They will also make sure any estate agent fees are paid and your mortgage is redeemed
Confirm all money as paid
Once this is done, your estate agent can release the keys to your buyer
With Ellis & Co on board, you’ll be helped at every stage of your moving journey. In fact, the only thing our agents can’t do is lend a hand with packing – although they’ll be able to recommend a removals company who will.
Get in touch to find out how our professional valuations, expert advice and hassle-free sales progression will all help to get you to completion day.
