Once you’ve agreed a sale price with a buyer, your property is usually marked "Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC)".

While this is a major milestone, several important steps still need to happen before the sale is legally completed. In England and Wales, the process from sale agreed to completion typically takes 8–12 weeks, but this can extend to 12–16 weeks or longer if there is a property chain.

Below is a step-by-step guide to what usually happens next.

1. Memorandum of Sale Issued (Week 1) - Once the price is agreed, the estate agent will issue a Memorandum of Sale to both parties and their solicitors. This document confirms:

• • The agreed sale price Buyer and seller details
  • The solicitors acting for both sides
  • The buyer’s financial position

At this stage you should instruct your solicitor or conveyancer if you haven’t already done so.

2. Conveyancing Begins (Week 1–3) - Your solicitor will start the legal work involved in transferring ownership of the property. This includes:

• Preparing the draft contract pack
• Completing property information forms
• Sending documents to the buyer’s solicitor

The buyer’s solicitor will then begin reviewing the paperwork.

3. Property Searches and Survey (Week 2–5) - The buyer’s solicitor will order several searches, which may include:

• Local authority searches
• Environmental searches
• Water and drainage searches

At the same time, the buyer’s lender will carry out a mortgage valuation, and the buyer may also arrange a property survey.

If issues are identified during the survey, further negotiations can sometimes occur at this stage.

4. Enquiries and Legal Checks (Week 4–8) - Once the buyer’s solicitor has reviewed the paperwork and search results, they will raise legal enquiries. These may relate to:

• Property boundaries
• Planning permissions
• Guarantees for building work
• Fixtures and fittings included in the sale

Your solicitor will help gather the necessary responses.

5. Exchange of Contracts (Week 8–12) - Exchange of contracts is the point where the sale becomes legally binding. At this stage:

• The buyer pays their deposit (usually around 10%)
• Both parties agree a completion date

Neither party can withdraw without financial penalties This is when the sale becomes secure.

6. Completion (Usually 1–4 Weeks After Exchange) - Completion is the day the property officially changes ownership.

On completion day:

• The buyer’s solicitor transfers the purchase funds.
• Your solicitor repays any outstanding mortgage
• The estate agent releases the keys to the buyer

You must vacate the property by the agreed time.

How Property Chains Affect Timescales - A property chain occurs when buyers and sellers are linked together because each purchase depends on another sale completing.

For example: First Time Buyer → Your Sale → Your Purchase → Their Purchase → End Of The Chain

All parties must reach the exchange of contracts at the same time, which can add complexity and time.

Typical Chain Impact on Timescales

Each additional link in the chain can add 1–3 weeks because:

• More surveys are required
• Additional mortgage approvals are needed
• Extra legal enquiries must be resolved
• Everyone must coordinate exchange dates

Common Causes of Delays Even when everyone is motivated, delays can still happen due to:

• Mortgage approval delays
• Survey issues or renegotiations
• Slow property searches from local authorities
• Incomplete paperwork Long
• Complex property chains

Keeping communication open with your estate agent and solicitor can help keep things moving.

Typical Timeline After Agreeing a Sale

Final Tip for Sellers - Once you’ve agreed a price, the biggest factors affecting how quickly your sale progresses are the strength of the buyer and the length of the property chain.

Buyers who are chain-free or first-time buyers can often complete more quickly and with fewer complications.