What Really Happens Between Offer And Completion

By Nick Statman, CEO of Bettermove

For many homeowners, accepting an offer feels like the finish line. There is relief, excitement, and the sense that the hard work is over. In reality, this moment marks the beginning of the most fragile stage of the entire property transaction. What happens between offer and completion is where most deals either quietly succeed or unexpectedly collapse.

Nick Statman, CEO of Bettermove, has overseen thousands of transactions and consistently sees sellers underestimate this phase. The lack of visibility is one of the biggest sources of stress in property. When sellers understand what is actually happening behind the scenes, they are far better equipped to navigate the process calmly and confidently.

The legal process begins but momentum often disappears

Once an offer is accepted, solicitors are instructed and identification checks are completed. Initial paperwork is issued, contracts are drafted, and enquiries begin. From the outside, this stage often feels painfully slow. Days or weeks may pass with little apparent progress.

The reason is simple. The work is fragmented. The buyer solicitor, seller solicitor, agent, lender, and surveyor all operate independently. No single person owns the full timeline. Each party moves at their own pace and delay becomes normal.

At Bettermove, this stage is actively managed. Statman believes silence creates anxiety. Regular updates and clear explanations reduce unnecessary stress and prevent sellers from assuming the worst when progress is not immediately visible.

Surveys and valuations introduce uncertainty

For buyers using finance, surveys and lender valuations are ordered soon after offer acceptance. These steps are essential but unpredictable. A valuation may come in lower than expected. A survey may highlight issues that were previously unknown or underestimated.

This is a critical point where confidence can be lost. Buyers begin reassessing their decision. Sellers feel exposed and defensive. Many deals wobble here because expectations were not aligned early.

Experienced operators prepare sellers in advance. Transparency about condition, realistic pricing, and early disclosure reduce the emotional impact of survey results. When findings feel expected rather than surprising, conversations remain constructive rather than confrontational.

Enquiries and documentation slow progress

The legal process generates extensive enquiries. Boundaries, planning permissions, guarantees, historic alterations, lease terms, and service charge details are all examined closely. Missing documents or unclear information can delay matters significantly.

Many sellers assume their solicitor will manage this automatically. In reality, progress depends heavily on how quickly information is provided. A delay of days can quickly turn into weeks.

This is why early preparation matters. At Bettermove, sellers are encouraged to gather documentation as early as possible. When paperwork is ready before it is requested, momentum is maintained and frustration is reduced.

Chains quietly multiply risk

Chains are one of the most underestimated risks in property transactions. A chain means multiple unrelated people must all progress at the same pace. One slow solicitor, nervous buyer, or failed mortgage elsewhere can halt the entire process.

Nick Statman has long argued that chains are a structural weakness in the UK system. Even well prepared sellers can lose their sale due to events completely outside their control.

Removing the chain removes uncertainty. This is why chain free transactions complete more reliably and with far less emotional strain.

Exchange is not the end

Even after contracts are exchanged, attention is still required. Banking delays, final legal queries, or logistical issues can still arise. While rare, problems at this stage can be highly stressful if expectations are not managed.

Experienced professionals maintain communication right through to completion, ensuring the final steps are coordinated and calm.

Conclusion

What happens between offer and completion is complex, slow, and often misunderstood. Most failed sales collapse in this middle stage, not at the beginning. Nick Statman and Bettermove focus heavily on this phase because it is where preparation, communication, and structure matter most.

When sellers understand the process, fear reduces. When fear reduces, decisions improve. And when decisions improve, sales complete.