You've Had an Offer Accepted - Now What?

Getting an offer accepted is a genuine milestone, but it's the start of the next stage rather than the finish line. Here's a realistic look at what typically happens next in Northern Ireland, and how long it usually takes.

Sale agreed is not the same as legally binding
Once your offer is accepted, the property is marked "sale agreed" , but at this stage, nothing is legally binding for either party. Both sides need to instruct solicitors, and it's usually the seller's solicitor who moves first, preparing a contract pack that includes the title deeds, property information, and any relevant certificates. Only once contracts are formally exchanged does the sale become legally binding.

A realistic timeframe: 8 to 12 weeks
For a straightforward transaction in Northern Ireland — no chain complications, no unexpected survey issues — the period from sale agreed to completion typically runs to somewhere between 8 and 12 weeks. That covers your solicitor carrying out legal checks and searches, your lender progressing the mortgage application and valuation, any survey being completed, and finally contracts being signed and a completion date agreed.

What can extend the timeline
A few common factors tend to add time to the process: delays in a solicitor or lender's workload, issues raised by a survey that need to be resolved, being part of a longer property chain, or the seller needing more time to secure their own onward move. None of these are unusual, and most are manageable with good communication, but they're worth being aware of so you can plan realistically rather than assuming everything will move at the fastest possible pace.

What you can do to help things along
Instruct your solicitor as early as possible, ideally as soon as your offer is accepted. Respond promptly to any requests for identification, proof of funds, or additional information — these are standard parts of the process and delays here are entirely avoidable. Keep your mortgage adviser updated on your position, and provide any documents they need without delay. Stay in regular contact with your solicitor and estate agent — a quick check-in can often catch a delay before it becomes a real problem.

What this means for you
If you're planning a move, working backwards from a realistic 8-to-12-week window from sale agreed gives you a far more accurate picture than assuming completion will happen within a few weeks of your offer being accepted. Understanding this upfront tends to make the whole process feel far less stressful.

If you're currently sale agreed and have questions about what happens next, our team would be happy to talk you through it.