A Step-by-Step Timeline for Buyers and Sellers Across Alton, Ash Vale, Cobham, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Petersfield & Woking
When you’re buying or selling a property in Surrey or Hampshire, it involves multiple legal, financial and administrative steps. Whether you’re moving within Guildford, relocating to Alton, downsizing in Petersfield or buying your first home in Woking, having a good understanding of the processes will help avoid delays and unnecessary stress.
At Bourne Estate Agents, with busy High Street offices, we guide our buyers and sellers through every stage — from offer agreed to completion day.
Below is a clear step-by-step breakdown of what to expect.
Step 1: Sale Agreed & Memorandum of Sale
Once an offer is accepted:
- Bourne issues the Memorandum of Sale to all parties
- Solicitors confirm instruction to proceed
- Buyers submit mortgage application and arrange survey
What buyers should do immediately
- Submit mortgage application without delay (unless you already have a mortgage in principle)
- Emphasise timescales to mortgage broker and lender
- Arrange funds for survey and searches to prevent delays
- Ensure deposit funds are in a clear account ready for transfer
Mortgage delays are one of the most common causes of slow transactions.
Click here to see a more detailed guide for buyers
Step 2: Draft Contract & Property Information
The seller’s solicitor prepares and sends the draft contract to the buyer’s solicitor
Sellers must:
- Complete their property information forms
- Confirm fixtures and fittings details
- Respond to additional enquiries
The buyer’s solicitor:
- Waits for draft contract before applying for searches
- Raises legal enquiries
The seller’s solicitor:
- If you have a mortgage, your solicitor applies for deeds
At Bourne, our Sales Progressors regularly liaise between the solicitors, to maintain momentum and reduce unnecessary delays.
Step 3: Mortgage Valuation & Mortgage Offer
For buyers in Surrey and Hampshire:
- Mortgage valuation is instructed
- Valuation completed
- Mortgage offer issued
If the mortgage offer is not issued within 7 days of valuation, buyers should actively chase their lender or broker
In busy commuter markets such as Guildford, Ash Vale, Godalming, Woking or Cobham, prompt mortgage progression can make the difference between securing a property and losing it.
Step 4: Searches & Enquiries
Once searches are returned from the local authority:
- Additional enquiries may be raised
- Replies should be provided promptly
- Mortgage offer must be fully confirmed
- Contract approved
Only once all legal enquiries are satisfied can the transaction move towards exchange. Search turnaround times can vary between Surrey and Hampshire councils, so proactive follow-up helps to avoid unnecessary delay.
Step 5: Signing Contracts & Deposit
Before exchange:
- Buyer signs contract and transfers cleared deposit funds (typically 5–10%)
- Seller signs their contract
- Completion date is mutually agreed
- Sellers with onward purchases may also need their solicitor to co-ordinate a simultaneous exchange for their new property
Buyers must also:
- Arrange buildings insurance to start from exchange
- Confirm deposit transfer process with solicitor
Step 6: Exchange of Contracts
At exchange:
- The transaction becomes legally binding
- Completion date is fixed
- Deposit is transferred
Completion usually takes place between 1–3 weeks after exchange. Across towns such as Petersfield, Alton and Farnham — where chains can extend into rural Surrey & Hampshire villages — agreeing realistic completion dates is key.
Step 7: Completion Day
On completion:
- Remaining funds are transferred
- Keys are released to the buyer for their new home
Bourne will arrange for the release of keys from our offices in Ash Vale, Alton, Cobham, Farnham, Guildford, Godalming, Woking and Petersfield.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying & Selling in Surrey & Hampshire
How long does it take to sell a property in Surrey or Hampshire?
From launching your property to offer agreed, the process typically takes 2–8 weeks, depending on:
- Pricing strategy, property type/condition and local demand
- Property presentation and realistically pricing
- Working with a pro-active estate agent who will contact their extensive buyer database
- How your property is marketed for example professional quality photos and social media posts
- Discoverability on all the major property portals Â
While some sales are faster, choosing a proactive estate agent can make all the difference in achieving your desired timescales.
How long does it take to buy or sell a property once an offer is accepted in Surrey or Hampshire?
Typically 8–14 weeks from sale agreed to completion, depending on:
- Mortgage processing speed
- Search turnaround times
- Survey timescales
- Chain complexity
- Solicitor responsiveness
When do I need buildings insurance?
Buyers must have buildings insurance in place from the moment contracts are exchanged
When do I transfer my deposit?
The deposit (usually 5–10%) must be transferred to your solicitor in cleared funds before exchange
What causes the most delays to exchange?
- Mortgage offer delays
- Outstanding legal enquiries
- Search delays
- Deposit funds not readily available
What do Bourne Estate Agents do during the legal process?
The team at Bourne support the Sales Progression processes by:
- Issuing the Memorandum of Sale
- Liaising between buyers, sellers and solicitors
- Coordinating survey appointments
- Chase updates where necessary
Our teams across Surrey and Hampshire act as the communication bridge to keep your transaction progressing as smoothly as possible.
Expert Advice from Bourne Estate Agents
With our extensive experience across Ash Vale, Alton, Cobham, Farnham, Guildford, Godalming, Petersfield and Woking, we help to:
- Ensure solicitors are instructed by both buyers and sellers at the right point
- Clarify buyers have funds or a mortgage offer in place
- Proactively chase your solicitors and carry out checks with other agents, especially if there is a chain
- Maintain clear communication about completion dates
- Respond quickly to enquiries
Transactions are far smoother when all parties are responsive, with Bourne’s Sales Progressors helping to encourage proactive communications.
Buying or Selling in Surrey or Hampshire?
Whether you’re moving within Surrey’s commuter belt or relocating to Hampshire’s market towns and villages, Bourne Estate Agents provides local expertise across:
If you’re considering selling, buying, upsizing, downsizing or relocating, our teams are here to guide you from valuation through to completion.
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