What Really Happens After You Accept an Offer? October 2025 Debenham Property Update

Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell? 
The straight answer: the market has found its feet. 
It’s not the overheated sellers’ market of recent years, but it hasn’t crashed either. It’s just… normal. And normal’s actually quite nice. 
For Sellers: You’ll achieve a fair price if you’re realistic from the start. Playing games with pricing will only cost you time and money. 
For Buyers: For the first time in years, you’ve got real choice and negotiating power. Use it wisely. 
This market is rewarding honesty and punishing game-playing on both sides. 


September Numbers at a Glance

• 77 New Listings 
• 37 Sales 
• 55 Price Reductions 

We’ve seen a slight increase in homes on the market this month (+7), but the real story is buyer interest. 
Daily property views have dropped to just 34 per day — the lowest since I began tracking in 2022. To put that into perspective, at the end of August we were averaging 55 views a day. 
Simply put: fewer people are actively looking right now, which makes securing a sale tougher than in recent months. 


What Really Happens After You Accept an Offer
Many homeowners feel like they’ve crossed the finish line when they accept an offer — but in reality, this is where the real work begins. The weeks between accepting an offer and handing over the keys are often the trickiest part of moving. 
Here’s what happens: 

• Memorandum of Sale – Your agent confirms the details of the sale and kicks off the legal process. 
• Solicitors Get to Work – The seller’s solicitor sends a draft contract pack. The buyer’s solicitor applies for searches, which take about 3 weeks to return. Buyers should have money on account quickly so these can be ordered without delay. 
• Surveys, Enquiries & Mortgage Offer – The lender carries out a valuation. Surveys may follow, and solicitors raise questions back and forth. Once satisfied, the lender issues a formal mortgage offer. 
• Exchange & Completion – Contracts are signed, a completion date is set, and finally, the money transfers and keys are released. 

Managing Your Solicitor: The Chess Clock Rule
One of the biggest factors in how smoothly a sale progresses is how you handle your solicitor. Think of the process like a game of chess: when your solicitor sends you a form or document, the “clock” is on you. Until you reply, they can’t move forward. 
Solicitors juggle dozens of files at once, so the quicker you respond, the quicker your case jumps back onto their desk. A simple weekly check-in with your solicitor can also help spot hold-ups early — whether they’re waiting on you, or the other side needs a push. 


Why This Stage Matters 
On average, it takes 10–14 weeks from offer to completion in England. Delays often come from missing paperwork or slow communication. Staying proactive — and keeping that “chess clock” moving — can shave weeks off your timeline. 
At Joe Wood Property Team, we see ourselves as guides through this hidden half of the selling journey, making sure you’re never left in the dark. 



Thinking about your own property plans? 
Whether it’s selling, buying, renting, or investing, we’re always here for a straight-talking chat. Call or WhatsApp Joe on 07896 486 927.