Here's an overview of the key stages involved in buying a property in the UK, from making an offer to completion:

1. Making an Offer

• Initial Offer: The buyer makes an offer to the seller, usually through an estate agent. The offer may be below the asking price depending on market conditions.
• Negotiation: The offer can be accepted, rejected, or countered by the seller. Negotiations may occur until both parties agree on a price.

2. Offer Accepted

• Offer Confirmation: Once the seller accepts the offer, the estate agent confirms the agreement in writing.
• Instruct a Solicitor/Conveyancer: The buyer hires a solicitor or conveyancer to manage the legal aspects of the purchase.
• Mortgage Application: If the buyer is using a mortgage, the lender is notified, and a formal application is submitted for approval.

3. Survey and Valuation

• Property Survey: The buyer arranges a survey (optional but recommended) to assess the condition of the property. Common surveys include the HomeBuyer Report or a full structural survey.
• Valuation: The mortgage lender may carry out a valuation to ensure the property is worth the amount they are lending.
• Review Findings: If issues are found during the survey, the buyer may request repairs or a price reduction. The lender may also adjust the loan amount based on the valuation.

4. Exchange of Contracts

• Legal Checks: The solicitor/conveyancer carries out legal searches (e.g., title, planning permissions, land registry) to ensure there are no legal issues with the property.
• Contract Drafting: The seller’s solicitor prepares the sale contract, which outlines the terms and conditions of the sale.
• Deposit Payment: The buyer pays a deposit (typically 10% of the purchase price) to secure the agreement.
• Exchange: Once both parties are satisfied, the buyer and seller sign the contracts, and the buyer’s solicitor transfers the deposit to the seller. The sale becomes legally binding.

5. Completion

• Final Arrangements: The buyer's solicitor arranges for the transfer of the remaining funds (minus the deposit) to the seller’s solicitor. This is often facilitated by the buyer’s lender (if applicable).
• Transfer of Ownership: The keys to the property are handed over to the buyer, and ownership is legally transferred.
• Registration: The solicitor registers the change of ownership with the Land Registry.

6. Post-Completion

• Stamp Duty: The buyer’s solicitor ensures that Stamp Duty Land Tax (if applicable) is paid to HMRC.
• Final Documentation: The buyer receives the title deeds and any other relevant documents from their solicitor.
• Move-In: The buyer can now move into the property.

These are the core stages, though the process can vary depending on factors such as chain length, survey outcomes, and lender requirements.