Accepting an offer feels like the finish line, but in reality it is the starting gun for the legal process that actually transfers your home to its new owner. That process is called conveyancing, and for private sellers who have handled the marketing and negotiation themselves, it is the stage where good preparation really pays off. Knowing what happens next, who does what, and where delays creep in will help you keep your sale moving and avoid the frustration of a transaction that drifts for months.
What conveyancing actually is
Conveyancing is the legal work of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer. In England and Wales it is usually carried out by a licensed conveyancer or a solicitor; in Scotland the system differs and solicitors handle most of the process, while Northern Ireland follows its own rules. As the seller you instruct your own conveyancer, and the buyer instructs theirs. The two firms communicate on your behalf, exchanging documents, raising and answering questions, and ultimately completing the sale.
You do not need an estate agent to appoint a conveyancer. Whether you sold through an agent or privately, the legal steps are identical. The only difference is that you, rather than an agent, will be the point of contact keeping everyone informed.
The first moves after accepting an offer
Once you have agreed a price, the practical priority is to get the legal process underway quickly. The longer the gap between acceptance and instruction, the more time there is for a buyer to get cold feet or for a competing property to tempt them away.
Confirm the details in writing
Put the agreed price, the names of both parties, and anything included in the sale (carpets, curtains, appliances) in a short written summary. This becomes the "memorandum of sale" that both conveyancers work from. If you listed and negotiated through Keyzee, much of this information is already captured in your listing, which makes drafting it straightforward.
Instruct your conveyancer
Choose a conveyancer and confirm your instruction. Ask for a fixed-fee quote, check whether they are on the panel of the buyer's mortgage lender if relevant, and find out how they prefer to communicate. A responsive firm that replies to emails within a day or two is worth more than one that is slightly cheaper but slow.
The paperwork you will need to provide
Your conveyancer will ask you to complete a set of standard forms early on, so it is worth gathering documents before they are requested. The main ones are the TA6 Property Information Form, which covers everything from boundaries and disputes to guarantees and planning consents, and the TA10 Fittings and Contents Form, which records exactly what stays and what goes.
You will also need your title deeds or proof of ownership, any building regulation certificates for work you have had done, warranties for things like a new boiler or damp treatment, and details of your current mortgage so it can be redeemed on completion. Leasehold sellers face extra paperwork, including a management pack from the freeholder or managing agent, which can take several weeks to arrive and is a common cause of delay.
Gathering all of this in advance is one of the simplest ways to speed up your sale. Sellers who keep their documents organised throughout the marketing stage, as Keyzee encourages, often find this part takes hours rather than weeks.
Searches, enquiries and the survey
Once contracts are drafted, the buyer's conveyancer carries out searches with the local authority, water and drainage companies, and environmental agencies. These reveal things like planned developments, flood risk, or unpaid charges on the property. The buyer's side will also raise enquiries, which are written questions about your home. Some may seem trivial, but answering them promptly and honestly keeps the chain of correspondence short.
Meanwhile the buyer will usually arrange a survey and, if they need a mortgage, the lender will carry out its own valuation. If the survey flags problems, the buyer may come back to renegotiate. Being upfront about known issues from the outset reduces the chance of an unwelcome surprise here.
Exchange and completion
The two milestones that matter most are exchange of contracts and completion.
Exchange of contracts
At exchange, both parties sign identical contracts and the buyer pays a deposit, usually around 10 per cent. This is the point at which the sale becomes legally binding. Before exchange either side can walk away without penalty; afterwards, pulling out has serious financial consequences. A completion date is agreed and fixed at exchange.
Completion day
On completion, the balance of the money is transferred, the deeds are handed over, and the buyer becomes the legal owner. You must have moved out and handed over the keys, typically by midday or early afternoon. Your conveyancer uses the sale proceeds to pay off your existing mortgage and settle their fees, then transfers the remainder to you.
How long it all takes
A typical sale takes between eight and twelve weeks from acceptance to completion, though leasehold properties, chains, and slow searches can push this further. The biggest variables are how quickly paperwork is returned and how many transactions are linked in a chain. As a private seller you have a real advantage here: you are not waiting on an agent to relay messages, so you can chase your conveyancer and respond to enquiries the moment they land.
Keeping your sale on track
A few habits make a noticeable difference. Reply to your conveyancer the same day where you can. Keep the buyer warm with occasional friendly updates, because a buyer who feels informed is far less likely to get nervous. And do not assume silence means progress; a quick weekly check-in often uncovers a form sitting unsigned or a search that was never ordered.
Selling privately means you stay in control of the whole journey, from first listing to final handshake. If you have not started yet, you can create your listing and manage your sale from one place with Keyzee at /sell/new and carry that same control right through to completion.