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Process checklist for handling offers by ALL prospective purchasers - for properties in England and Wales

First make sure they have seen the Energy Performance Graphs (in the EPC)

and are not awaiting any further information about the house.

After the final viewing, if the purchasers are keen to make an offer to purchase,

do the following with ALL offers received before accepting any offer.

(You may prefer to open a filing wallet for each prospective purchaser making offers).

Tick when done

Ask for their:

1. •Names and addresses:
   

2. •Status (e.g. single, married divorced):
   

3. •Where they work + length of service:
   

4. •Their mortgage requirements:
   

5. •The amount of the mortgage offer they currently have arranged:
   

1. •Are they selling their own property as part of the move?
   

2. •Are all the links in the chain proceeding?  Get details of all the links from them or their agents.
   

3. •Phone all the agents involved to check for any difficulties.
   

4. •Do likewise if you yourself are buying in an upwards chain.
   

5. •Produce the HIP and copy it to them at this stage (reasonable copying and postal charges may be collected).
   

6. •Check (if the hip does not contain a Housing Condition Report) whether or not the purchasers wish to arrange their own survey?
   

7. •Receive the VERBAL offer.
   

8. •Before accepting this, check, once again, all the chains of sales with all the estate agents involved are still holding.
   

9. •Then ask for the offer in writing with the name and address of the purchaser's conveyancer.
   

10. •If you think you need clarification about their mortgage, also ask for this in writing.
    

11. •Now decide (if there are any other offers) which one is the one you are minded to accept.
    

12. ACCEPTING the winning offer:
    

13. •Get telephone confirmation from all the parties in the chains above and below you that everything is ok.  You are at last ready to accept the winning offer.
    

14. •Accept the offer verbally 'Subject to Contract' and then confirm your acceptance in writing, clearly marking  the letter Subject to Contract.
    

15. •Include in your letter to the purchasers, the name, address and telephone number of your conveyancer.
    

16. •REJECT all subsequent offers as the property is now sold, Subject to Contract.
    

17. •Write to your solicitor instructing them to start the conveyancing.
    

18. •Give the price agreed, any time-scales or other conditions agreed.
    

19. •Give the purchaser's conveyancers contact details, name, address and telephone number.
    

20. •Ask for written acknowledgment from your conveyancer.
    

21. •Finally write to the purchasers conveyancer to confirm they should be hearing from your conveyancer.
    

22. You should continue to monitor progress week by week, checking with all parties.
    

23. Doing this correctly can save you a lot in fees and keep you in close touch with how things are going.  We hope you enjoy your move.