What Happens After You Accept an Offer? A Guide to Emoov Sales Progression

Accepting an offer on your property is an exciting moment, but it is not the end of the selling process. It marks the beginning of the legal and administrative work required to move the transaction towards exchange of contracts and completion.

This part of the journey is known as sales progression.

If you have chosen Emoov’s Sales Progression service, we will help coordinate the transaction, communicate with the people involved and monitor the important stages of your sale.

You will have access to a sales progression dashboard showing the milestones in your transaction. We update this regularly as information is received and notify you when a milestone has been reached.

This guide explains what each milestone means, what is happening behind the scenes and what you may need to do to help keep your sale moving.

What is sales progression?

Sales progression is the process of managing and monitoring a property transaction after an offer has been accepted.

A typical transaction involves several different parties, including:

• The seller
• The purchaser
• The seller’s solicitor or licensed conveyancer
• The purchaser’s solicitor or licensed conveyancer
• The purchaser’s mortgage lender or broker
• Surveyors
• Other estate agents and solicitors within the property chain

Each party has different responsibilities, and progress often depends on information passing from one person or organisation to another.

Emoov’s role is to maintain communication, gather updates, record key developments, and help identify anything that may be holding up the transaction.

We cannot undertake the legal work or provide legal advice; that remains the responsibility of the appointed solicitors or conveyancers, but we can help keep everyone informed and focused on moving the sale forward.

Your Emoov sales progression dashboard

Your dashboard gives you a clear view of the transaction, from the day your offer is accepted to the day your sale is completed.

A milestone is updated when Emoov receives confirmation that the relevant stage has been completed. You will then be notified of the update.

It is important to understand that property transactions do not always progress in a perfectly straight line. Several stages may take place at the same time, some may not apply to your sale, and additional enquiries can sometimes cause an earlier stage to be revisited.

Here is what each milestone means.

1. Offer accepted

This records the date on which you agreed to sell the property to the purchaser at the accepted price and on the agreed terms.

At this stage, the property is normally described as **sold subject to contract**. In England and Wales, accepting an offer does not create a legally binding sale. Until contracts are exchanged, either party can usually withdraw or seek to renegotiate.

Following acceptance, Emoov will confirm the details of the sale and begin gathering the information required to issue the Memorandum of Sale.

2. Seller’s solicitor details uploaded onto Emoov

You will need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to carry out the legal work for your sale.

You can upload these details directly to your Emoov account via the dashboard.

This lets us communicate with your legal representative and share the relevant sale information.

Appointing your solicitor promptly and completing their initial forms as quickly and accurately as possible can prevent an avoidable delay at the beginning of the transaction.

Your solicitor may ask you to complete documents covering:

• Property information
• Fixtures and fittings
• Leasehold information, where applicable
• Your identity and source of funds
• Your existing mortgage
• Planning permissions, building work or guarantees

3. Purchaser’s solicitor details uploaded onto Emoov

The purchaser must also appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.

The buyer can upload these details to their Emoov account via the dashboard.

We can then ensure that both legal firms have the information they need to begin communicating with each other.

A transaction cannot make meaningful legal progress until solicitors have been instructed on both sides.

4. Co-sellers and co-buyers confirmed, where applicable

We confirm the names of everyone selling and purchasing the property.

This is important because the details recorded on the Memorandum of Sale and legal documents must accurately reflect all the parties to the transaction.

There may be additional requirements where, for example:

• The property is jointly owned
• Someone is acting under a power of attorney
• The sale is being handled by executors following a death
• The property is owned by a company
• A party is being added to or removed from the title

The relevant solicitor will advise on any additional legal documentation required.

5. Buyer’s verification complete

Before a sale can proceed, Emoov carries out verification checks on the purchaser.

These checks help confirm the purchaser’s identity and buying position. Depending on the circumstances, this can include establishing whether the purchase is being funded by:

• A mortgage
• Cash funds
• The sale of another property
• A combination of these sources

Verification is an important part of confirming that the proposed purchaser can proceed.

The purchaser’s solicitor and mortgage lender will carry out separate legal, identity and financial checks.

6. Memorandum of Sale issued by Emoov

Once the relevant information has been confirmed, Emoov issues the Memorandum of Sale to the seller, purchaser and their respective solicitors.

The Memorandum of Sale usually records:

• The property address
• The agreed sale price
• The names of the seller and purchaser
• The contact details for both firms of solicitors
• Any relevant conditions attached to the agreed sale

This document formally informs the parties that the sale has been agreed and gives the solicitors the information required to start the conveyancing process.

The Memorandum of Sale is not the contract and does not make the transaction legally binding.

7. Draft contract and supporting documents sent to the purchaser’s solicitor

The seller’s solicitor prepares and sends a draft contract pack to the purchaser’s solicitor.

The precise contents will depend on the property, but the pack will normally include:

• The draft sale contract
• Official title information
• A plan of the property
• Property information forms
• A fixtures and fittings form
• Relevant planning permissions or guarantees
• Leasehold documents, if applicable

The seller’s solicitor may need information from you before the pack can be completed.

Returning forms and supporting documents quickly is one of the most effective ways you can help prevent delays.

8. Purchaser’s solicitor receives the contract documentation

This milestone confirms that the purchaser’s solicitor has received the draft contract pack and supporting documents.

They will examine the title and documentation to check that the seller is legally entitled to sell the property and to identify any restrictions, rights, obligations or other matters affecting it.

They can then begin their detailed legal investigation.

9. Purchaser’s solicitor applies for searches

The purchaser’s solicitor will normally order searches relating to the property.

These may include:

• A local authority search
• A drainage and water search
• An environmental search
• Mining, flood or other location-specific searches where appropriate

Searches are different from a survey. Searches provide legal and environmental information from local authorities and other organisations; a survey examines the physical condition of the property.

The time required for results can vary depending on the local authority and the searches ordered.

10. Initial enquiries raised

After reviewing the contract pack, the purchaser’s solicitor sends the seller’s solicitor a list of questions known as pre-contract enquiries.These may relate to:

• The legal title and boundaries
• Rights of way or access
• Planning permissions and building regulations
• Alterations or extensions
• Guarantees and certificates
• Services connected to the property
• Fixtures and fittings
• Leasehold charges and management information
• Information supplied in the seller’s property forms

Some questions can be answered by the seller’s solicitor, while others will require information or documents from you.

Enquiries are a normal part of conveyancing and do not necessarily mean that there is a problem with the property.

11. Purchaser’s survey booked and carried out

The purchaser may arrange a survey or mortgage valuation.

A mortgage valuation is primarily carried out for the lender to assess whether the property provides suitable security for the loan. A purchaser may also commission a more detailed survey to examine the property’s condition.

If a survey identifies concerns, the purchaser may request further information, specialist reports, repairs or a discussion about the agreed price.

Emoov can help communicate between the parties, but any legal implications should be discussed with the relevant solicitor.

12. Mortgage offer received or cash purchase confirmed

Where the purchaser requires a mortgage, their solicitor will need to receive the formal mortgage offer before the transaction can move towards exchange.

The mortgage lender may require a valuation, supporting documents or further checks before issuing the offer.

For a cash purchase, the purchaser’s solicitor will confirm the position and carry out the necessary evidence-of-funds and source-of-funds checks.

An agreement in principle is not the same as a formal mortgage offer. The formal offer is the lender’s confirmed willingness to provide the mortgage, subject to its stated terms and conditions.

13. Seller’s solicitor completes the replies to pre-contract enquiries

Your solicitor prepares responses to the purchaser’s initial enquiries, using information and documents supplied by you where necessary.

You may be asked to provide items such as:

• Planning or building regulation documents
• Electrical, boiler or window certificates
• Guarantees for building work
• Service charge or ground rent information
• Details of disputes, notices or insurance claims
• Clarification about boundaries or access

If a requested document is unavailable, tell your solicitor promptly. They can advise whether alternative evidence or an indemnity policy may be appropriate.

14. Search results received

This milestone confirms that the purchaser’s solicitor has received the results of the searches they ordered.

They will review the results for matters that could affect the property or the purchaser’s proposed use of it.

If anything requires clarification, they may raise additional enquiries with the seller’s solicitor or seek further information from the relevant authority.

Receiving the search results does not necessarily mean this part of the process is complete; the purchaser’s solicitor must still review and report on them.

15. Further enquiries raised

After considering the initial replies, search results, mortgage conditions and other documents, the purchaser’s solicitor may raise further enquiries.

This is common and can involve asking for:

• Clarification of an earlier answer
• An additional certificate or guarantee
• Further leasehold or management information
• Evidence concerning alterations to the property
• Resolution of a title issue
• An undertaking or indemnity policy

The number and complexity of further enquiries will vary from one transaction to another.

16. Replies to further enquiries sent

The seller’s solicitor responds to the additional questions, with your assistance where required.

Some replies can be dealt with quickly. Others may depend on information from a local authority, freeholder, managing agent, mortgage lender or another third party.

This is one of the stages where transactions can appear to be standing still, even though work may be continuing behind the scenes.

17. Purchaser’s solicitor is satisfied with the enquiries

This is a significant milestone.

It means the purchaser’s solicitor has confirmed that the enquiries have been answered satisfactorily, or that any outstanding matters have been dealt with sufficiently for the transaction to move forward.

Before exchange can take place, the purchaser’s solicitor will also usually need to be satisfied with:

• The legal title
• Search results
• Mortgage arrangements
• Source-of-funds requirements
• Signed legal documents
• The deposit
• The proposed completion date

The purchaser will normally receive a report from their solicitor before being asked to sign the contract.

18. Completion date agreed

Once the legal work is sufficiently advanced, everyone in the chain must agree on a completion date.The date must work for the seller, purchaser, solicitors, mortgage lenders and every connected transaction in the chain.

A suggested date isn’t confirmed until all parties agree and the solicitors are ready to proceed.

You should avoid making non-refundable moving arrangements until your solicitor confirms that contracts have exchanged and the completion date is legally fixed.

19. Contracts exchanged

Exchange of contracts is the point at which the sale normally becomes legally binding in England and Wales.

Both parties sign their contracts, and their solicitors formally exchange them. The agreed completion date is then fixed into the contract.

After exchange, withdrawing from the transaction can have serious financial and legal consequences.

Your solicitor, not Emoov, will confirm when exchange has taken place. Until you receive that confirmation, don’t assume the sale is legally binding.

20. Property completion

Completion is the day legal ownership transfers to the purchaser.

The purchaser’s solicitor sends the completion funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once the money has been received, the seller’s solicitor authorises the release of the keys.

On completion:

• The purchaser becomes the legal owner
• The seller must have vacated the property in accordance with the contract
• Keys are released as agreed
• The seller’s solicitor deals with the existing mortgage and other agreed payments
• The remaining sale proceeds are sent to the seller

Completion funds do not always arrive first thing in the morning. Key release can only take place after the seller’s solicitor confirms that completion has occurred.

How long does sales progression take?

There is no fixed timescale for every property sale. According to GOV.UK, selling a home takes 12 to 16 weeks on average, although transactions involving a chain can take longer.

The time required will depend on factors such as:

• The length of the property chain
• How quickly solicitors are instructed
• Whether the purchaser requires a mortgage
• Search turnaround times
• Survey findings
• The complexity of the legal title
• Leasehold or management information
• Probate or power-of-attorney requirements
• How quickly enquiries are answered
• The responsiveness of everyone involved

Some periods of limited visible progress are normal, particularly while searches, mortgage approvals, management packs or replies from third parties are awaited.

How can you help keep your sale moving?

As the seller, you can help by:

• Instructing your solicitor as soon as possible
• Completing identification checks and initial forms promptly
• Answering questions fully and accurately
• Returning documents without delay
• Providing certificates, permissions and guarantees where available
• Responding quickly when your solicitor or Emoov contacts you
• Telling us immediately if your circumstances change
• Keeping your solicitor informed of any preferred moving dates
• Avoiding direct agreements with the purchaser that have not been reported to the solicitors

If you are also purchasing another property, keep your purchase solicitor, mortgage adviser and Emoov informed of any developments that could affect the chain.

The difference between Emoov and your solicitor

Emoov and your solicitor perform different but complementary roles.

Your solicitor or licensed conveyancer is responsible for:

• Investigating and transferring the legal title
• Preparing and reviewing contracts
• Raising and answering legal enquiries
• Advising you on legal risks and obligations
• Exchanging contracts
• Handling completion funds

Emoov’s Sales Progression service is responsible for:

• Monitoring the overall progress of the transaction
• Maintaining contact with the parties involved
• Obtaining and recording updates
• Updating your dashboard
• Notifying you when milestones are reached
• Highlighting delays or outstanding actions
• Helping communication across the property chain

We cannot force another party, solicitor, lender or local authority to respond by a particular date, but regular communication can help identify problems earlier and reduce uncertainty.

Keeping you informed from offer to completion

We understand that selling a property can feel complicated, particularly when much of the legal work takes place out of sight.

Your Emoov dashboard has been designed to make the process clearer. It gives you an accessible record of the major stages reached and helps you understand what remains outstanding.

Our Sales Progression team will continue to monitor your transaction, update the dashboard as confirmed information is received and support communication through to exchange and completion.

Accepting an offer is the first major success. Sales progression is how we help you turn that accepted offer into a completed sale.

This guide provides general information about the sales progression and conveyancing process in England and Wales. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Your solicitor or licensed conveyancer should advise you on the circumstances of your particular transaction.