Jul 23, 2021

What happens now that I've had an offer accepted on a house?

banner-help-2.jpg?w=1024&h=683&scale

Congratulations on having your offer accepted!

Michael Tuck Estate Agents have been selling property in Gloucester since 1983 and have sold over 6000 homes since our  computer records began!

Using our experience we have created this guide to help you plan the the next steps, to ensure that your purchase proceeds to completion as quickly and stress free as possible:

Provide all of the information to Michael Tuck Estate Agents from the outset.

It is in everybody’s interest to change the status of property to “Sold Subject to Contract” as quickly as possible.  This is because until the property is legally yours we have to forward any further offers to the vendor.  The information that we require as a minimum may include the following:

  • Full names and address of the purchasers
  • Certified ID to prove the purchasers identity.
  • The name of the solicitor acting for you.
  • Proof of funds or a Mortgage Agreement in Principle.

By providing this information we can then say to the vendor with certaintly that you are a sound buyer.

Appoint a conveyancing solicitor

A conveyancing solicitor is required to complete all of the necessary legal work required to transfer the property into your ownership.

The quality of solicitors varys greatly so please feel free to ask your local Michael Tuck office.  We can recommend a solicitor that we know has a good track record of progressing sales efficiently.

The solicitor will undertake a series of checks and searches relevant to your property to ensure that there aren’t any issues that could affect your purchase.  The main searches often include:

  • Local Authority Searches
  • Title Register and Title Plan
  • Floor Risk Searches
  • Water Authority Searches
  • Chancel Repair Searches
  • Environmental Searches
  • Location Specific Searches

Complete mortgage application

If you are using a mortgage to fund your purchase, you will now need to apply for your mortgage officially.

We recommend that even if you have a “Mortgage Agreement in Principle”, you should speak to an independent Mortgage Advisor to ensure that you are aware of all of your options and secure the best deal for you.

A mortgage application usually takes at least three weeks but can take longer during busy periods.  There will be lots of paperwork involved so it is worth having your bank statements and pay slips to hand to avoid any delays.

Your mortgage advisor will provide you with a mortgage illustration which will outline details of the loan and after a few weeks the lender will issue a formal mortgage offer which will be required to buy the property

Speak to your LOCAL Michael Tuck office who will put you in touch with a “fee-free” independent mortgage advisor.

The mortgage lender will want to ensure that you are purchasing the property for the correct price so may wish to arrange for a mortgage valuation.

Organise a property survey

Although the mortgage valuer will request a valuation, it is recommended that you arrange for a more comprehensive survey such as a Homebuyers Survey or Building Survey.  The surveyor will inspect the property and highlight any defects or structural issues which could save you money in the long run.

Michael Tuck would be happy to recommend a local independent surveyor to you if you wish.

Solicitors prepare the draft contract

The agreement that was reached between seller and yourself needs to be formalised legally and agreed between the retrospective solicitors.

This process can take time with many enquiries being asked and responded to until agreement is reached.  The average time from offer to legal completion in the UK is three months.

Get quotes for a removal company

You won’t have an exact move date yet, but it is worth getting in contact early with a removal company so they can visit your home to assess the volume of your belongings.  They should also be able to provide you with cardboard boxes so you can make a start packing non-essentials.

Exchange contracts and confirm your completion date

This is the final stretch for completing the transaction and will usually be led by your solicitor.  You’ll be asked to pay the deposit which is usually 10% of the property’s value and once your mortgage has been approved, conveyancing searches in, enquiries answered and the solicitors agree the draft contract,  you can sign and exchange contracts.

This is the point that both buyer and seller are no longer able to pull out of the sale without penalty and the completion date is set, unless it is subject to notice.

Completion

Completion day is the day on which ownership of the property officially transfers over to you.  The date will usually be agreed in advance which is easier the shorter the chain is.

As soon as the money is transferred to the seller you can collect your keys from Michael Tuck Estate Agents in Gloucester and move into your new home.

Move in

Congratulations – you’re in!  Except for some unpacking, but this can be done at a leisurely place, all that is left to do is to relax and enjoy your new homes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to move house once my offer is accepted?

On average, in Gloucester you should expect to move house between 3 and 4 months after your offer is accepted.  However, every sale is different and there are many factors that can speed up or slow down the sales process.

The more complicated the sale is, the longer it is likely to take as it can only progress at the pace of the slowest link.

For example a cash buyer purchasing a vacant property should complete on a sale much quicker than somebody buying a leasehold property that requires a mortgage and is in a long chain.

Is accepting an offer on a house binding?

In the UK if you have an offer accepted on a property then it is classed as sold subject to contract.  This means that the buyer or seller can withdraw from the sale at any stage up until exchange of contracts.

We strongly recommend that you use this guide to ensure that you are fully prepared and pro-active to ensure that you reach exchange of contracts as quickly as possible.

What are the benefits of a cash offer on a house?

From the sellers perspective it doesnt necessarily matter whether the money is coming from a mortgage or the purchasers bank account.  However, there can be advantages from selling to a cash buyer as it prevents a chain forming beyond the purchaser.

Also, a number of sales fall through due to the purchaser not being able to secure finance, whereas with a cash buyer the funds are guaranteed and available immediately.

A property transaction can only proceed at the speed of the slowest link, and in our experience the less complicated the sale, the quicker it will proceed to exchange of contracts, which will reduce the chances of it falling through.

Should a property be taken off the market once an offer is accepted?

At Michael Tuck we always change the status of a property to Sold (Subject to Contract) as soon as an offer is accepted and we have completed due diligence on the buyer.

If you have an offer accepted is always important to act quickly and have the following information available to provide to your estate agent:

  • Full names and address of the purchasers
  • Certified ID to prove the purchasers identity.
  • The name of the solicitor acting for you.
  • Proof of funds or a Mortgage Agreement in Principle.

 

We hope that this guide helps explain the sale process to you.  In conjunction with this article, please also feel free to read our “Five tips for moving house” guide and download our “moving checklist” to help make the move as smooth as possible.  Further information can also be found on the Government issued “How to Sell” guide.

 

Michael Tuck Estate Agents in Gloucester provide help and support throughout the entire buying process, from the initial property viewings, recommending a local conveyancer and independent mortgage advisors.

Our friendly and experienced team are always on hand to answer any of your questions.

Contact our friendly team

 

Share

Hear what our clients have to say...

Michael Tuck Lettings in Quedgeley have managed our rental property for the past 11+ years.

During this time their professionalism has never dropped. In the early days, Ian, Graham and Vikki-Lee were a huge help to a novice landlord. I’m pleased to say they are still there with a helping hand. Claire has always been the nudge I needed for the necessary insurance and safety checks. Having had some difficult times over the past couple of years I would like to say a special thank you to Lianne who has been there to help wherever she could.

We are in the process of selling the property and as expected Miles and Otis are dealing with everything with Tucks usual professionalism.

I have no hesitation in recommending this lovely, friendly office.

Linda Parker

I cannot recommend Michael Tuck Estate Agents enough.

They were so professional and so prompt with their communication. In particular we would like to mention Charlie for his regular updates and extremely helpful service in the sale of my mothers house. We were in a particularly long chain, and he went over and above to assist us in the communications between the buyers and sellers in order for our chain to proceed. He even contacted Solicitors and helped progress the exchange.

“We are certain if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have sold our house! We cannot thank him and his team enough.”

Kelly Durkin

Miles has gone above and beyond to ensure buying our first house has been a smooth process. He has offered clarification and reassurance at all steps of the journey, making us feel like valued clients.

“We would recommend Michael Tuck Estate Agents.”

Hollie Blunt

Michael Tuck New Homes in Gloucester assisted us selling three phases of our development in Kingsway, Gloucester.

“All of the staff were very professional and knowledgeable sales people who represented our company as if it were their own.”

If we were to need help selling our homes in the Gloucester ara again they would be the first phone call i’d make.

Stephen Holbrook. Abbey Homes

Tony and John, Abbeymead branch, supported us during very difficult circumstances (and we don’t just mean Covid!)

The same applies to other staff when answering queries etc.

“They were unfailingly courteous and returned phone calls and emails promptly.”

David Duncan

I have been a customer of Michael Tuck Lettings in Abbeymead for coming up to 2 years now.

I would like to highlight Kurt and James for there forever ending support and excellent communication. Their joint efforts have filled me with confidence in the ability to keep my family safe in a home we love.

No matter the complexity or need they are always on hand to support and come to some form of reasonable resolution.

For this reason I would recommend Michael Tuck to all my family and friends and will hopefully continue to stay a customer of Michaels Tucks until I purchase my own home. Thank you

“Being a contact centre manager I know how important customer service is and I must say that Michael Tuck has not disappointed.”

Jay Preece

Miles and the team have been brilliant from start to finish during the sale of our house.

Miles especially went above and beyond with sales chasing when I think most other people would have probably given up! Really happy with the service.

“Such a friendly and professional team and nothing was too much trouble.”

Anna England

I was recommended Michael Tuck Estate Agents in Abbeymead by a friend, thank you friend!

I would like to say a big thank you and well done to the team who are very friendly, helpful and have taken the strain out of what was a fairly long house sale.

Special thanks go to Chloe and Tony for their positivity and Chloe thank you for your good humour which lifted me during the long process!

“I would highly recommend them for a first class service”

Jane West

Michael Tuck Lettings in Abbeymead have been a fantastic letting agents looking after our house for the past 17 years.

We have recently sold the house with the sales department.  Kurt has looked after us incredibly well during the 17 years of lettings and Tony, Andy and Chloe have made the selling very easy. Thank you

“The staff are professional, approachable and easy to contact.”

Claire Rawlinson

I have recently bought and sold through the Gloucester branches and cannot praise Miles and the team highly enough.

In what has been a very testing time for the industry, Miles and all the staff have worked tirelessly in my purchase and even more so my sale.

Thoroughly recommend Tucks every time. Special thanks to Otis. Thank you guys it’s been an absolute pleasure.

“Their drive and communication skills have been amazing.”

David Lichtenstein