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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what’s the fastest you’ve managed to get from offer to completion in a property purchase/tips on how to speed things up?

30 replies

EmAreSea · 03/09/2019 19:44

After a recent house purchase fell through DH and I are on the hunt again, and had an offer accepted today. I’m 7 months pregnant and due at the end of October so we’re against the clock and trying to find any way we can to expedite the process! We are chain free, as is the vendor. Has anyone managed to do it quickly who can offer some advice?

OP posts:
Murinae · 03/09/2019 19:46

We were chain free as was the vendor and it still took 13 weeks. We sold MILs house recently she had moved into a home and chain free buyer and took about 16 weeks.

fairydustandpixies · 03/09/2019 19:50

4 weeks from offer to completion. Exchanged and completed same day, no chain either end.

HungryHiker · 03/09/2019 19:50

Just shy of 4 weeks.

It required DAILY contact with the sellers (we swapped contact details during the 2nd viewing) and my solicitor, it was stressful!

It takes equally motivated buyers/sellers and decent solicitors. And a lot of phone calls.

Jimdandy · 03/09/2019 19:52

Firstly pay for a reputable firm and offer to pay extra for a quick turn around, guaranteed same day response and priority service. Although it’s hard as you have no control over who the seller uses they could be slow.

Secondly find out what the wait is at your local council for the local search. Sometimes there is a delay of weeks and once it’s ordered it’s outside of the Solicitors control.

Next get your ID, document and money on account to your sols straight away. We will not touch a file until we have received all these things and it’s on our letter. Sellers/buyers will then ask for an “update” after 4 weeks having not yet formally instructed us or given us any money!! Despite it being on our letter etc

juls1888 · 03/09/2019 19:54

I've just concluded missives on a house that I accepted an offer on 3 weeks ago, hand over keys in 3 weeks. This is in Scotland, buyer is a first time buyer and the property will be unoccupied the week before. I've been so impressed how straightforward it has been, fingers crossed it stays that way! I can only recommend getting a really good solicitor who is all over everyone else and knows that you need to keep the pace up.

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 03/09/2019 19:56

Two months is my quickest.

I'm glad I pushed for it to be over quickly, but they got away with more than they should have (charges for white goods/ home report definitely missed some important bits). I wasn't caring at the time but in hindsight I am miffed.

cookiemon666 · 03/09/2019 19:57

Mine was 10 weeks, although could have completed at 8 weeks if the buyers hadnt dragged their heels. I was moving into rented, they were buying mine for buy to let. I literally signed anything and hand delivered back to the solicitors. I also had an ex husband to contend with, who thankfully did his bit

lastqueenofscotland · 03/09/2019 19:58

12 weeks no chain either end and the property were vacant.
Vendors solicitors were dogshit

GatoFofo · 03/09/2019 19:59

5 weeks from offer to completion.
What helped was all parties knowing that the completion date was non movable for financial reasons and committing to this from the outset. Not sure it would have worked if all parties hadn’t been equally motivated.
Also, use an online conveyancing solicitor.

wouldyouadamandeveit · 03/09/2019 20:00

In a chain, 6 weeks start to finish. But did mean being on Solicitors case literally every day.

Oliversmumsarmy · 03/09/2019 20:03

10 minutes from ringing the estate agent to getting an offer and 3 weeks from the offer to moving

NotYourHolidayDick · 03/09/2019 20:06

20 days from offer to exchange.

10 days to get searches back. Instant reply to a couple of queries.
Took 12 days to get the mortgage offer.

Job done.

willowsmumsy · 03/09/2019 20:13

We were less than 6 weeks from offer to moving in. As PP have said it took daily contact with the solicitor.
I've managed this timescale twice.
I can make a real nuisance of myself if I think people aren't working in a timely fashion😜

LucyAutumn · 03/09/2019 20:19

3 months, both parties were chain free, I used to complete all paperwork sent to us on the day received and deliver back to solicitors/ estate agents by hand, confirming that I'd handed completed paperwork by receipt of email and lots of chasing on the phone and confirming discussions had (again) by email

WaggingKnife · 03/09/2019 20:21

4 weeks.

We chased everyone (EA, vendor and solicitor) daily.

All paperwork delivered by hand.

Used a mortgage broker who worked his arse off.

ilovetrees30 · 03/09/2019 20:25

30 working days from start to finish. Most stressful time of my life. It was the lead up to Christmas and my dads health wasnt great. We were onto the estate agent and solicitors pretty much every day.

tellelle · 03/09/2019 20:26

Mine was chain free over Christmas and was 11 weeks and my sister who was also chain free took only 7 weeks

Fingers crossed for you OP

InterestingView · 03/09/2019 20:29

Oh you're the "need to complete in 7 weeks" lady from the other threads??

Just read your other threads there was plenty of advice

Original poster
EmAreSea · 03/09/2019 20:46

Oh you're the "need to complete in 7 weeks" lady from the other threads??

Nope... could you link?

OP posts:
squee123 · 03/09/2019 21:00

I've exchanged within 4 weeks on two different properties now. Based on this and time spent in conveyancing departments in a previous life my top tips are:

  1. The only survey that isn't pretty much instantaneous is the local authority search. That can take up to three weeks and sometimes longer. Instruct your solicitor to put that search request in on day one. Do not accept any excuses that they're "waiting on the searches" other than in relation to the local authority search because they just log on to a website to do all the rest and they nearly always come back same day, if not instantly.
  1. Use a proper local solicitor, not some randon law firm that uses unqualified case managers. Ask around on local groups for recommendations for someone efficient.
  1. Tell your solicitor that all communication is to be done by email. You would not believe the number of firms that still post things, meaning you lose a day or two to the post each time. Pretty much anything they need to send you can be emailed and if necessary you can print, sign and send back.
  1. Ensure that the seller fills in and returns the property informarion forms asap. Ideally within a day or two as they're needed to get the ball rolling. Also ask them to start digging out any paperwork they have like certificates and guarantees and get it sent to their solicitor asap. If copies need to be obtained that can take time ao best to flush that out asap.
  1. Make sure that you get your mortgage application underway asap using an engaged and proactive broker.
  1. Get your survey booked in asap.
  1. Do not be afraid to ring your solicitor for updates and to chase them. Be charming but make it very clear time is of the essence

Good luck!

Original poster
EmAreSea · 03/09/2019 21:05

InterestingView not sure why you think that’s me... we’re not trying to sell anything, just buy!

OP posts:
Gamble66 · 03/09/2019 21:06

Offered and completed within a week - no survey and I was a cash buyer - took out search insurance.

PowerslidePanda · 03/09/2019 21:06

As somebody in a similar situation - I understand that you'd rather be in the house before the baby arrives, but have you thought about how you'd manage if you happened to be in labour on completion day? Wouldn't it be better to play it safe and plan to move afterwards?

Wrongdissection · 03/09/2019 21:07

10 weeks. And that was buying the house we lived in and rented!