A guide to navigating the sale process
You’ve accepted an offer on your home. Now it’s about turning that offer into a completed sale!
This guide shows you what will happen at each stage, and who will be responsible for what.
Getting started
What you need to do
Instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to act for you
Send your solicitor's contact details to Ostrich, so we can issue the Memorandum of Sale
If your property is leasehold, send funds to your solicitor so they can request a management pack
What your solicitor does
Drafts the sale contract, including the agreed price, property boundaries, what’s included in the sale and the proposed completion date
Shares the draft contract and supporting documents with your buyer’s solicitor
What your buyer does
Checks their solicitor is on their lender’s approved panel (if they’re using a mortgage)
Sends funds to their solicitor to order local authority searches
Starts their mortgage application and provides documents like proof of income and bank statements
Tip: Solicitor recommendations from friends or family are often a good place to start. We can also offer recommendations so let us know if that would be helpful.
During the sale
What you need to do
Allow access for surveys, mortgage valuations or additional viewings
Complete any forms your solicitor sends you
Respond to any questions raised by your buyer’s solicitor
What your solicitor does
Responds to legal enquiries from the buyer’s side
Provides documents or clarification about things like lease terms, boundary details or previous works
Keeps the process moving behind the scenes
What your buyer does
Arranges a property survey (not required, but strongly recommended)
Reviews the contract with their solicitor
Highlights any questions or concerns, the buyer's solicitor will raise these enquiries with your solicitor
Getting ready to exchange
What you need to do
Review and sign the final version of the contract
Sign the TR1 form, which transfers ownership to your buyer
Return both documents to your solicitor in good time
What your solicitor does
Sends you the final contract and TR1 for signing
Confirms the final contract and agrees a completion date with your buyer’s solicitor
Calls you to confirm you’re ready to go ahead and give authority to exchange!
Exchanges contracts and requests funds from your lender
What your buyer does
Receives a Report on Title from their solicitor
Signs their copy of the contract and TR1
Transfers their deposit (usually ten percent of the price) to their solicitor
Lets their solicitor know they ready and happy to exchange
Tip: This is a good time to book removals, if you haven’t already!
On completion day
What you need to do
Move out by the agreed time
Leave the property in the condition agreed in the contract
What your solicitor does
Receives the remaining funds from your buyer’s solicitor
Pays off your mortgage (if you have one) and settles any outstanding fees or taxes
Transfers the remaining balance to your account
What your buyer does
Sends the remaining balance to their solicitor before this completion date
Becomes the legal owner once funds are received
What happens next...
- Ostrich will arrange key handover as soon as we receive confirmation from your solicitor that completion has happened
Still have questions?
You’re not expected to know this process inside out. That’s what we’re here for! If anything feels unclear, just ask. We’ll keep you moving.