Accepted an Offer - Now What?

[IndianaMoleWoman]

I know I could Google but I tried that and ended up reading what happens in the wrong country. Twice (I'm in England).

I know I could ask the estate agent and I will, tomorrow, but for now could someone just give me a quick idiot's guide overview of what happens next after accepting an offer on our house? In our case the buyers are selling their house but we are moving into rental so we're the end of the chain.

We have cracked open the wine in celebration after accepting an offer today but have no clue what happens next!

You need to appoint a solicitor. They'll tell you what do to. If you're just selling it's pretty easy.

There will be various property information forms you'll need to fill out that your solicitor will send you. Dig out any certificates e.g. Central heating services. Mortgage docs for the redemption etc.

Decide if you're leaving anything and want to ask for extra cash for it - e.g. Washing machine.

Let surveyors visit or allow EA to let them in.

Thanks LittleBearPad, we've already appointed a solicitor so is that it? We just sit tight and wait for people to get in touch? In that case I'll crack on with the

Thanks six. I will dig out my special form-filling black biro and start the conversation with DH about what to take/leave.

Your buyers are likely to have a survey and it's normal for the vendor to be there in case there are any questions about the location of things on the property. That should happen in the next week or so. If it doesn't, it could be an indication that their mortgage provider is slow.

Thanks wowfudge. How will I be notified about the survey date/time? Is it worth chasing my estate agent/solicitor to chase them up if I haven't heard in the next few days?

Ok I'll leave it a bit then six.

The other thing is we accepted the offer after the house had been on the market three days. We're really happy with the price (£10k over the asking price) and don't think we'd get more but the agent is still booking in viewings. Presumably the buyer has never clapped eyes on Phil & Kirsty because she didn't make taking it off the market a condition of her offer but frankly I'm sick of keeping the house pristine already and can't be arsed with any more viewings. Our agent said we should keep it on the market until surveys are booked in but should I just ask them to take it off? Or would that be really naive?

Your buyers can't have sold their property yet? Don't take yours off the market unless they have.

Pretty normal to keep marketing until the survey is booked as that's the point where the buyers actually have to spend some considerable money. You always need a back up plan too!

Thanks all. We were told that the buyers' property was under offer but not sold so hopefully they can accept an offer, book surveys and we can take ours off the market pretty soon.

I'll give the agent a ring today and see what's going on.