Your Property Transaction Guide
A clearer guide to what happens after your sale is agreed, who does what, who to chase, and how we help keep everything moving.
Buying or selling a home can feel exciting, but it can also feel uncertain at times, especially when there is a chain involved. This guide is here to make the process easier to follow and to explain where responsibility sits at each stage.
Our role is to keep communication moving, monitor the chain, and help you understand what is happening. Some parts of the transaction sit with solicitors, lenders, surveyors, management companies, freeholders, or other links in the chain. Knowing who is responsible for each part makes the process much clearer and far less frustrating.
The simple rule
Chase the person responsible for the task.
- Legal matters should be chased with your solicitor
- Mortgage matters should be chased with your broker or lender
- Chain position and coordination should be chased with us
Step by step
1. Offer agreed
What happens
The offer is accepted and the memorandum of sale is sent to all parties.
What we do
We confirm the agreed details, introduce the relevant parties, and issue the memorandum of sale.
What you should do
Instruct your solicitor immediately, return paperwork quickly, and start your mortgage application or confirm your funds.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor and your broker or lender.
2. Legal work begins
What happens
The seller’s solicitor sends the contract pack to the buyer’s solicitor.
What we do
We check that the legal work has started and that the papers have been issued and received.
What you should do
Make sure your solicitor has everything they need from you and confirm they have started work.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor.
3. Mortgage, survey and searches
What happens
The buyer arranges the mortgage, survey and searches.
What we do
We monitor progress and help with practical questions where we can.
What you should do
Respond quickly to requests, keep your broker updated, and arrange any survey you want carried out.
Who to chase
Your broker, lender and solicitor.
4. Enquiries
What happens
The buyer’s solicitor raises legal questions about the property and supporting paperwork.
What we do
We monitor progress and help pass on practical questions where appropriate.
What you should do
Work with your solicitor to answer enquiries promptly and supply any documents requested.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor.
5. Chain progress
What happens
If there is a chain, each linked sale and purchase must progress before everyone can move.
What we do
We monitor the chain, identify where delays sit, and keep communication moving between the relevant parties.
What you should know
One delay anywhere in the chain can affect everyone else.
Who to chase
We will help with chain updates. You should still chase your own solicitor for your own legal position.
6. Nearly ready
What happens
Most legal work is complete, searches are back, and solicitors begin preparing their final report.
What we do
We check what is still outstanding and begin discussing possible timings once the legal position is close.
What you should do
Read your solicitor’s report carefully, sign paperwork quickly, and send funds when requested.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor.
7. Ready to exchange
What happens
Your solicitor confirms that everything needed for exchange is in place.
What we do
We help line up the chain and discuss realistic dates.
What you should do
Be available to approve exchange quickly if your solicitor is ready.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor.
Important to know
Until contracts are exchanged, dates are not legally fixed.
That means removals, notice periods, and other firm plans should not be treated as guaranteed until your solicitor confirms exchange has actually taken place.
8. Exchange of contracts
What happens
The transaction becomes legally binding and the completion date is fixed.
What we do
We confirm the agreed dates across the chain and make sure everyone knows the position.
What you should do
Only now should you finalise removals and other irreversible commitments.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor for confirmation that exchange has actually happened.
9. Between exchange and completion
What happens
The moving date is now fixed and both sides prepare for completion.
What we do
We stay available for practical coordination and key arrangements.
What you should do
Confirm removals, utilities and your moving plans.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor if you need confirmation on funds or legal timing.
10. Completion day
What happens
Funds are transferred and keys are released once the seller’s solicitor confirms receipt.
What we do
We release keys when authorised and help with practical handover.
What you should do
Stay contactable and wait for legal confirmation before assuming completion has happened.
Who to chase
Your own solicitor for completion timing and us for key collection arrangements.
Who should I contact?
Your solicitor
For legal progress, enquiries, searches, exchange readiness and completion funds.
Your broker or lender
For mortgage progress, valuation, offer expiry, reissue or extension.
David Doyle
For chain updates, practical coordination, general progress and identifying where a delay currently sits.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book removals?
Only once contracts have exchanged. Before exchange, dates can still move.
Why is my solicitor saying something different to the chain?
This does happen. Different professionals often speak from different parts of the process. We will always try to clarify where the current blocker really sits.
Why can’t dates be confirmed earlier?
Because dates only become fixed when solicitors are ready and exchange has taken place. Before then, dates are still provisional.
What if the chain feels stuck?
Tell us. We will review where the delay sits and explain what has been done and what still needs to happen next.
Why are updates sometimes brief?
Sometimes there is not yet a meaningful change to report. We would rather give you an honest update than false certainty.
Need help understanding where things stand?
If anything feels unclear, please ask. We will always do our best to explain the current blocker, where it sits, and what needs to happen next.