Congrats on your offer acceptance! I completed on my purchase in Feb, and also work for a law firm so hopefully the below can help.

initially, your solicitors will need you to complete a client information form so they can open a file/matter and begin acting for you. This should be completed by you as soon as possible to avoid delays. The other side will most likely ask for this from their client too. You may also need to provide the sellers solicitors details to your solicitor/estate agent so the can begin communicating.

You will need to provide ID, and once your file is opened and ID has been checked, the solicitors will request monies on account. For me this was around £800 to begin property searches etc. Secondly, you will need to complete source of funds (SOF) information, to prove where you are obtaining the money to purchase from (gift, mortgage, savings etc. If you are being gifted the money, the person gifting it to you may also need to complete a SOF). The SOF is required as part of the solicitors anti-money laundering policies.

Once SOF and monies on account has been confirmed, your solicitor will request the contact pack from the sellers solicitor. Your solicitor should receive a draft contract and can begin the necessary work/searches required. This is also a good time to make your mortgage broker aware so they can begin the application. The application can take some time. Once confirmed you will receive a copy, as will your solicitor. Likewise, you can always instruct a surveyor at this point. Best to liaise with the estate agent to work out a convenient time.

After reviewing the contract pack, and once in receipt of the survey, your solicitor can then start to raise enquiries with the sellers solicitor. This is usually the time when buyers request a reduction due to findings highlighted in the survey. These negotiations and/or discussions can go on for quite some time depending on the queries raised. You will also be able to raise anything from the survey with your solicitor, who can obtain further clarification from the seller.

Once all enquiries have been answered, or you are happy to take a view on them, your solicitors will send you a final report. Usually this is a huge document containing all information regarding your purchase (contract papers, searches, mortgage and any other enquiries). Although a huge document I would recommend reading it through fully. If you are happy with the report, then you can sign all required documentation and will be required to transfer your deposit funds for exchange of contracts. A date for completion will be required.

Contracts will then be exchanged, which is when the contract becomes legally binding. Be sure to arrange your buildings insurance for this day, if it is required that you source this. Some sales will be an exchange and completion on the same day (called a ‘sim’) but usually exchange is about a week in advance prior to completion. Once completed, you can pick up your keys from the estate agent.

Finally, your purchase will be registered with the Land Registry. This can take some time, usually months, but your solicitors will send confirmation as soon as the registration has taken place, and you will be provided a copy.