When an offer on your home is accepted, it feels like the finish line. In reality, it’s the point where many South London sales start to slow down.
So, what actually happens between offer and completion, and why do some sales move smoothly while others drag on or fall apart?
The simplest way to understand it is by looking at the timeline most sellers are working with.
How long should conveyancing take?
Most sellers are surprised by this one. From offer agreed to completion, sales in London are typically taking four to five months, and often longer for leasehold flats across South London where extra legal work is involved.
That’s a long time to keep everyone aligned. It only takes a few missed updates or delays for things to slip, especially if you’re part of a chain.
Why do sales fall through after an offer is agreed?
This is the stage where deals are most fragile. The focus changes from finding a buyer, to keeping them.
Around one in four UK property sales fall through before completion, and most of those happen after an offer is accepted.
Common issues include:
• Surveys raising concerns
• Slow solicitor communication
• Mortgage delays
• Problems elsewhere in the chain
When these aren’t managed properly, confidence drops, so buyers start to look elsewhere or renegotiate.
This is where a more hands-on estate agent can make a noticeable difference.
What is sales progression and why does it matter?
Sales progression is what happens after the offer. It’s the difference between a sale sitting still and one moving forward.
A reliable estate agent will stay involved, chasing updates, coordinating between solicitors and checking each step is happening when it should.
Without that, things tend to stall. That’s why our approach is built around this stage and not just the initial marketing alone, because this is where sales are often won or lost.
What is property chain management?
If your buyer has a buyer, and they have one too, you’re in a chain, which most South London sellers are.
The longer the chain, the more points where things can slow down. One delayed survey or missing document can hold everything up.
Independent agents look at the full chain, not just your sale. They stay in touch with every link and deal with issues early, before they affect your timeline.
Can problems be dealt with before they cause delays?
Yes, if someone is paying attention.
Surveys and searches often trigger renegotiation, but that doesn’t have to derail the sale.
Experienced agents step in early. They help gather the right information, keep conversations balanced and prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones.
What keeps buyers committed during delays?
Simple answer: communication.
When buyers stop hearing updates, they lose confidence. In a competitive South London market, that matters.
Independent estate agents tend to handle fewer sales at once, which means more consistent updates and better relationships with buyers, solicitors and brokers.
That steady contact keeps momentum going, even when timelines change.
So why do independent estate agents make sales faster?
Larger agencies often move on once the offer is agreed, whereas independent agents stay close to the deal. They manage the detail, chase progress and keep everyone aligned.
That hands-on approach reduces delays, keeps buyers engaged and improves your chances of reaching completion.
At Urban Village Homes, sales progression is not an afterthought. It is part of how every sale is handled. From first offer through to exchange, there is a clear focus on communication, chain management and keeping things moving.
The takeaway
Selling your home in South London is not just about agreeing a price. It is about getting to the finish line with confidence.
The real work starts after the offer.
Selling and want fewer delays? Get in touch with our team at Urban Village.