When to Chase Our Solicitor on House Purchase Inquiries

[Notyetthere]

Hi All,

We are FTB going through a straight forward mortgaged purchase. Our solicitor received the draft contract from the vendors on the 16th April and no inquiries to vendor?s solicitor have been raised yet. That makes it about 10 working days. All searches have been completed and on reading the lot nothing has stuck out to us that needed further investigation (as far as I can tell). Our vendor is completing on their purchase this week so they will be ready for us to complete anytime from next week. Vendor does not need our funds to buy their new home so it cuts out the complexities of chains.

We hope to exchange before 15th May (current rental period runs from 15th of every month) and are happy for vendor to pick completion date.

When should one start to chase their solicitor for inquiries without coming across as the annoying/pushy/impatient FTB?

[kezlou2]

When did the purchase begin? Have you had your mortgage valuation yet and mortgage offer?

There's no harm in chasing if it has been 2 weeks. Sometimes you have to be on top of them if you are looking for a quick exchange and completion. Remeber, you're the customer!

[Notyetthere]

Kez, thanks for a quick reply.

Offer accepted on 28th March
Mortgage application 2nd Apr
Solicitor appointed 2nd Apr
Survey and mortgage approval 16th Apr. solicitor received mortgage offer 22nd Apr

Things were going along a steady pace but we have had nothing since 22nd.

[MousyMouse]

every day.
follow up any call with a qick email 'as discussed earlier bla bla'

[CuddyMum]

Yes, I would chase them. I am a royal PITA when it comes to chasing but it needs to be done. It often helps if you have your solicitor's email details and then at least everything is in writing. Don't worry about being pushy either. :)

[specialsubject]

you are the paying customer and you get on the phone as often as you like. Some solicitors fall asleep if not kicked regularly.

phone up, demand progress and demand to know when you will get a call back.

if he wants you to stop chasing, he does some work.

if he really continues to piss you about, tell him you are going elsewhere.

[kezlou2]

Things have happened pretty quick then. Normally it's the mortgage companies that hold you up

I would definitely get on the phone. I'm surprised they have done the searches before they have done everything else as that normally comes at the end.

Keep chasing! Tell them when you want to exchange so they know your expectations.

[CuddyMum]

Our searches were the first thing that happened (both for sale and purchase). Definitely keep the lines of communication open between all parties including the agent you are buying through.

[Turnipinatutu]

Get on their backs and hopefully they'll pull out all the stops to get you out of their hair.

[Notyetthere]

Thanks for your advice. BF will be on the phone tomorrow. BF seems to charm her a lot more than I do. She sounds bored when I call and her responses are vague but he seems to get more out of her than I ever do.

[frostyfingers]

Be very polite, but pursue them if not every day, then certainly every other - as Turnip said they'll want you gone. Don't be fobbed off by "we'll do it tomorrow" either, ask for copies of correspondence or confirmation of emails/phone calls. It sounds over the top but if you are polite and reasonable about it they should be fine.

We agreed with our solicitor that she would email us an update every 3rd day as to what was happening, and if the buyer's solicitor was holding us up she'd let us know when she'd chased, when she was expecting a response and when she'd got it. It was a local firm and they were incredibly efficient - get to know your solicitor, it's time well spent!