Although the exact sequence of events involved in selling a property can vary depending on specific circumstances, the process will usually be ordered as follows: 

Step 1: The sale is agreed

A sale agreement is negotiated between the buyer and the seller, either through an estate agent or on a private basis. 

Step 2: The seller appoints a solicitor

After the sale agreement has been made, the seller will need to instruct a solicitor to act for them and represent them during the sales process, usually by signing a Terms of Engagement letter setting out the terms of the relationship. 

For more information on appointing a solicitor, click here. 

Step 3: The primary paperwork is completed

Before the process can move onwards, the seller must provide the following:

• Property Information Questionnaire
• Fittings and Contents List
• Overriding Interests Form
• Leasehold Questionnaire (if the property is leasehold) 

Step 4: Recovery of the deeds

The solicitor will be responsible for recovering the deeds to the purchased property, whether this is from the lender, a deeds store or from the seller themselves. 

Step 5: Sending over the paperwork

A contract pack will be compiled containing all of the completed forms listed at Step 3, together with relevant copy documents from the deeds and the sale contract. This will then be sent across to the purchaser's solicitors. 

Step 6: Pre-contract enquiries are raised

If the purchaser's solicitors have any enquiries or searches to carry out prior to the signing of the contract, they will be raised at this point. The seller’s solicitors will handle any legal or technical enquiries, and forward on the remaining queries for the seller to answer. 

Step 7: Signing the contract

Once the prior steps have been finalised, the seller will need to sign the contract and transfer deed in readiness for completion. If necessary, their solicitor will then order a redemption statement for any mortgage secured against the property. 

Step 8: Confirming a completion date and exchanging contracts

The completion date will need to be negotiated to accommodate the buyer, the seller and the rest of the chain, and be mutually agreed upon. Contracts will then be exchanged, thereby setting the completion date in stone. 

Step 9: Vacating the property

On completion, the sellers must vacate the property by lunchtime of the agreed completion date and leave all keys to the property with the estate agent. Alternatively, they may choose to make arrangements to bring them directly to the buyer. 

Step 10: Sending the transfer deed

The signed transfer deed will be sent to the buyer's solicitors for them to forward on to the Land Registry. This will formally register the property in the name of the new owners, putting the final touch on the sale process.