Sale agreed: what happens before the keys change hands?

An accepted offer is an important step

An offer has been accepted. After the viewings and the uncertainty, it is natural to start thinking about moving day. There is still a process to complete, and it helps to understand which decisions belong to the agent, which belong to the solicitor and which need something from you.

This guide concerns an ordinary private-treaty sale in Ireland. Auction conditions and other arrangements can differ. The CCPC explains that sale agreed is not the final deal and that the booking deposit remains refundable until the buyer and seller have signed contracts (CCPC, n.d.-d). Your solicitor should explain when you become legally bound in your particular transaction.

Make sure the agreed terms are clear

The CCPC describes the agent’s sale details as information passed to both solicitors, including the price, conditions, parties and anticipated closing date (CCPC, n.d.-a). Treat this as an opportunity to catch misunderstandings.

Check that the correct property and agreed contents are described. If the sale concerns a house with adjoining land, make sure the intended extent is clear to the advisers. Mention anything that depends on another purchase, a report or an agreed action. A hoped-for date should be described as such; repeating it in a conversation does not make it certain.

Understand the solicitor’s work

The Law Society explains that the selling solicitor examines the title, handles communication with the buyer’s solicitor, addresses legal issues and prepares the completion documentation. Where there is a mortgage, the work includes dealing with its repayment and release (Law Society of Ireland, 2026c).

You can help by responding to requests and supplying the information you actually know. If a question concerns planning, a boundary or a technical matter, ask who is best placed to answer it. Passing on a confident guess can create a further problem. The solicitor should advise on legal significance; the agent can help keep the practical communication organised.

Allow for the buyer’s checks

An accepted offer does not mean every investigation has finished. A buyer may still need a building survey, valuation or steps connected with finance. The CCPC’s buyer guidance highlights surveys and the work remaining after an offer is accepted (CCPC, n.d.-d).

Agree reasonable access through the agent and keep track of appointments. If a report raises an issue, establish the precise concern before responding. Is the buyer seeking information, a professional opinion, work to be done or a change to the terms? Those are different requests. Consider the evidence with the appropriate adviser rather than treating every query as either a crisis or something to dismiss.

Ask for a useful progress update

I would ask three straightforward questions: what is outstanding, who is taking the next action and when should I expect to hear again? A clear answer is more useful than being told that everyone is waiting.

That does not mean demanding private information about another party or expecting an estate agent to provide legal advice. It means understanding the stage your transaction has reached. Keep your own notes of requests and responses. If something you were expected to supply is unavailable, say so promptly and ask what can be done next. Silence is rarely a helpful substitute for an answer.

Treat target dates as a planning tool

The Best Practice Charter for Conveyancing supports an eight-week objective from offer acceptance to completion. The PSRA expressly states that the Charter is not legally binding or itself a regulatory code (PSRA, 2026). It is not a guaranteed completion date for an individual sale.

A linked purchase, an unresolved document or a question that requires professional investigation can affect timing. Before making commitments that cannot readily be changed, ask your solicitor what is settled and what remains conditional. Preparation can reduce avoidable delay; it cannot remove every uncertainty from a property transaction.

Prepare for handover at the right time

As completion approaches, ask how the final arrangements will be confirmed. The CCPC describes closing as the stage at which the legal transfer and financial settlement are completed, with any mortgage and agreed costs dealt with through the solicitor (CCPC, n.d.-a).

Make a practical handover list: keys, alarm information, manuals, agreed contents, meter readings and the arrangements for leaving the property. Check before cancelling insurance or making assumptions about access. Keys should be released only when your solicitor has confirmed that completion has taken place and authorised the handover.

The aim is a clear finish to the transaction. For sellers across Roscommon, Leitrim and Longford, the useful service is not simply receiving an offer. It is understanding what follows and having the right people available to explain the next step.