It is best to ask for all offers in writing, and to accept, counteroffer or reject in the same manner.
Once you have agreed on a price, conditions of sale and a closing date, have your solicitor finalise the sales contract (the draft for this contract should have been written as soon as you made the decision to sell - see Pick Your Winning Team. Make sure all the conditions of sale are included in the contract.
It is normal practice in many countries for the seller to pay a deposit, say 10% of the purchase value. This deposit, if at all possible should be paid into an Escrow account or to your solicitor.
