_{By Louis Lopez – Director at Hindhead Property, NAEA & Propertymark Accredited}

When you accept an offer on your home, what actually happens next? If you’re like most sellers, you might expect things to fly along smoothly. But between the legal paperwork, surveys, mortgage steps, and the occasional Great Western Railway garden plot (yes, really), the process can get confusing. That’s why I’ve put together this week-by-week guide, based on real local experience here in Plymouth, Devon and Dartmoor. Whether you’re selling a townhouse in Peverell or a cottage in Crapstone, here’s exactly what to expect — and what you, your buyer and I as your agent should be doing at every stage.

Average Sale Time in Plymouth and Devon?

You’re looking at 12 to 14 weeks on average from offer to completion — if everything stays on track. With the right team, it can be quicker. With the wrong prep, it can drag on for months. My job is to make sure it doesn’t.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week 1: The Offer is Accepted

What I’ll do as your agent:

I’ll issue the memorandum of sale, confirm your buyer’s financial position, flag any issues early (like lease terms or planning quirks), and get everyone moving. What you need to do:

• Instruct your solicitor
• Complete the TA6 and TA10 forms
• Dig out your EPC, planning consents, warranties, and boiler service history

What your buyer should be doing:

• Instructing their solicitor
• Submitting their full mortgage application
• Booking any second viewings or measurements they need
• Paying for the mortgage valuation

Week 2: Legal Prep Starts

Me (Agent – Hindhead Property):

I stay in close contact with both solicitors and keep the pressure on. If you’re leasehold, I’ll help chase the managing agent for the LPE1 pack straight away.

Seller (You):

• Send everything to your solicitor
• If you’re leasehold, make sure the LPE1 pack is requested now — they can take weeks

Buyer:

• Mortgage application should be in full swing
• Choosing between a Home Buyer’s Report or Full Structural Survey
• Budgeting for their stamp duty and legal fees

Weeks 3–4: Surveys and Enquiries Begin

What I do:

I coordinate access for surveyors, monitor progress, and help resolve anything that pops up — like damp patches, missing consents, or unexpected electrics. I also keep both sides talking. 

You (Seller):

• Let the surveyors in
• Start prepping for your move — the sooner the better

Buyer:

• Attend or review their survey
• Raise any questions through their solicitor
• Start reviewing the initial legal enquiries

Weeks 5–6: Searches Are Ordered

Here's where local timing matters.

• Plymouth City Council searches are currently taking around 14 days
• West Devon searches can take 10 to 15 working days
• Environmental, drainage and mining searches usually take 2 to 7 working days

My role:

• I make sure the buyer’s solicitor has ordered the full pack of searches
• I keep tabs on expected timeframes and warn about any delays (especially in Dartmoor where things like ancient rights of way, septic tanks or flood zones might raise questions)

You (Seller):

• Keep answering your solicitor’s enquiries quickly
• Double check you’ve sent over everything they’ve asked for

Buyer:

• Wait for searches to come back
• Get buildings insurance quotes ready for exchange

Weeks 7–8: Mortgage Offer and Final Checks

Me (Hindhead Property):

• I keep the pace up, checking nothing’s stuck in limbo
• Make sure everyone’s ready for exchange

You (Seller):

• Sign your contract
• Confirm preferred completion dates
• Book removals and start packing

Buyer:

• Receive and approve their formal mortgage offer
• Review final enquiries and searches
• Sign their contract

Week 9: Exchange of Contracts

This is the big one. You’re now legally committed.

My job:

• I make sure we’ve got key arrangements sorted and everyone’s aligned
• I keep the line open between all parties to avoid last-minute wobbles

Seller:

• Confirm the deposit has been received
• Vacate if agreed
• Finalise your utilities and redirection

Buyer:

• Send over the 10% deposit
• Agree the official completion date
• Ensure their buildings insurance is live from this point

Weeks 10–12: Completion Day

You (Seller):

• Leave the property clean and tidy
• Drop the keys to us
• Wait for your solicitor to confirm the funds are in

Buyer:

• Complete their final payment
• Collect keys
• Move in and set up their utilities and council tax

Me (Agent – Hindhead Property):

• Oversee the key handover
• Confirm completion with both sides
• Follow up for feedback and ensure any final issues are sorted

What Can Delay Things?

Let me give it to you straight. These are the things that most commonly trip up a sale — and yes, I’ve handled all of them.

• Planning consents missing for work done without approval
• Leasehold packs taking up to 6 weeks and costing more than they should
• Lease clauses banning pets, letting or even drying washing
• No HMO licence or Certificate of Lawful Use on shared houses
• A Deed of Variation needed because a lender doesn’t like an old lease clause
• A buyer’s mortgage falling apart because they bought a camper van mid-sale
• A down-valuation triggering last-minute negotiation
• Half the garden legally belonging to Great Western Railway (yes, that really happened)
• A footpath from a 1982 planning map still legally running through the living room
• A boundary that shifted itself when next door decided they wanted a veg patch

But don’t worry...  I’ve seen it all, and sorted it all.

My job is to flag these things early, manage expectations, and find solutions before they cost you time or money.

Why Sellers Choose Me

I’m Louis Lopez, Director of Hindhead Property, and I’m proud to be NAEA and Propertymark accredited. That means I’m qualified, regulated and accountable.More importantly, I know this area like the back of my hand. I’ve helped clients sell everything from city centre flats to granite cottages off single-track lanes, and I’ll guide you through the process every step of the way. I don’t do fluff. I do follow-through.

Thinking of Selling?

Whether you’re ready to list or just need honest advice before making a move, I’m happy to help. Call, email or WhatsApp me any time

📞 01752 875075

📱 07771 622760

📧 louis@hindheadproperty.com