Accepting an offer on your home is a major milestone, but it’s only the beginning of the property sale journey. From that point on, you’ll navigate a maze of paperwork, negotiations, and legal formalities before reaching completion. Delays, fall-throughs, and communication breakdowns are all too common—but they don’t have to be. With the right approach, you can keep your sale moving forward and minimise the stress.
One option some sellers explore to fast-track the process is working with a property buying company. These firms offer a quicker alternative to the traditional sales route, often providing cash offers and fixed completion timelines. While they may not suit every situation, they can be helpful for those in a hurry or needing to avoid chain complications.
The key stages of a property sale
Once you’ve accepted an offer, your estate agent issues a memorandum of sale. This outlines the terms and names all parties involved. From there, both the buyer and seller instruct solicitors to begin the conveyancing process. This involves title checks, local authority searches, and the drafting of contracts.
During this time, your buyer may also arrange a survey on your property. A poor survey result can raise red flags or lead to renegotiation. To avoid surprises, it’s wise to fix known issues before listing or be transparent from the outset. If you’re prepared, the process will be smoother and quicker.
Common reasons for sale delays
Delays can come from multiple directions. Buyers waiting on mortgage approval, solicitors dealing with incomplete documentation, or disagreements over survey findings can all bring your sale to a standstill. Even small oversights—like missing paperwork or unanswered queries—can add days or even weeks to the timeline.
Another major cause of delays is poor communication. If your solicitor or estate agent isn’t proactive in chasing updates, things can stall. That’s why it’s important to work with professionals who keep you informed and push the process forward on your behalf.
How to keep things moving
To avoid delays and keep your sale on track, here are some practical steps you can take:
- Instruct your solicitor early – Ideally, before you even accept an offer. This speeds up initial legal checks.
- Respond quickly to queries – Delays often stem from slow replies. Keep documents accessible and respond promptly.
- Stay in contact with your agent – A proactive estate agent will keep all parties aligned and help resolve issues fast.
- Get paperwork in order – From title deeds to energy performance certificates, gather everything needed early.
- Be flexible and realistic – Understand that buyers may request changes post-survey. Keeping an open mind can help avoid collapse.
These actions don’t guarantee smooth sailing, but they significantly increase the chances of a successful, timely completion.
Special considerations: probate and complex sales
Some property sales are more complex than others. For example, a probate property sale where the seller is managing the estate of someone who has died often involves delays in securing the grant of probate. Without this, the property cannot legally be sold.
If you’re dealing with probate, it’s essential to communicate the situation with your estate agent and potential buyers upfront. This helps set expectations and ensures only serious, patient buyers proceed. It’s also wise to work with a solicitor experienced in probate sales, as they can often help move the process along more efficiently.
Managing buyer expectations
Clear and honest communication with your buyer is key to maintaining momentum. If there’s going to be a delay, explain why and provide regular updates. Buyers are more likely to stick with a sale when they feel informed and involved.
Similarly, be realistic with timeframes. While some transactions can complete in eight weeks, others take three months or more—especially if part of a chain. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, and make sure your buyer knows what to expect.
The role of your estate agent
A good estate agent is worth their weight in gold during the post-offer period. They act as the go-between for you, the buyer, solicitors, and sometimes surveyors. An agent who regularly checks in, communicates updates, and handles issues swiftly can be the difference between a smooth sale and a failed one.
Ask your agent what their process is for managing sales progression. Do they have a dedicated team for chasing solicitors and buyers? Are they proactive in keeping everyone on the same page? These questions are worth asking before you even list your home.
When things go wrong
Even with the best planning, sales can still fall through. If a buyer pulls out, you may be left with legal costs and no guarantee of a quick replacement. This is where some sellers consider re-listing immediately, while others opt for quicker alternatives, such as selling to a property buying company or offering incentives to attract a new buyer quickly.
In such cases, staying calm and re-evaluating your approach with your agent can help you recover and relaunch the sale with minimal downtime.
Conclusion
Keeping a property sale on track from offer to completion takes preparation, communication, and the right team behind you. By understanding the process and taking an active role, you can reduce stress, avoid costly delays, and achieve the result you want.
Whether you’re navigating a probate property sale or simply trying to move on quickly, being informed and proactive is your best strategy. And while no sale is ever guaranteed until contracts are exchanged, taking control of the journey makes a successful outcome far more likely.
