How long did it take for your house buyer to sign contracts

Mooshamoo · 2023-10-22T15:03:27+00:00

I am waiting for my house buyer to sign the contract if sale . It has been 3.5 weeks since contracts were sent out. My lawyer has gently reminded his lawyer. How long did it take your house buyer to sign the contract?

juleypooly · 23/10/2023 12:02

Did you hear anything today? I'm in the same position but only a week in.

Wilkolampshade · 23/10/2023 12:11

Are you a first time buyer in England OP? I only ask because sometimes people confuse signing contracts and exchanging contracts. Contracts being signed shows intent, but doesn't tie anyone down, not really. It's only at exchange of contracts that you're definitely getting the house (barring very significant losses if someone pulls out, hardly ever happens) or someone is definitely buying yours.
Most of our house sales/purchases, contracts got signed a few weeks in? Exchange of contracts happened a week or two before completion... The gap between them being initially signed and solicitors being happy enough to exchange has been for us, anywhere between six weeks and a year.

PaterPower · 23/10/2023 12:22

My MIL’s house sale has been grinding on for well over 8 months now, with her buyer still to sign the contract.

We know there’s a hold up with his flat sale, but it does seem to be dragging on and on. TBH, in this market, I’m just happy for her that the sale’s not totally fallen through.

HippeePrincess · 23/10/2023 12:24

Obviously not @Wilkolampshade as they’re waiting for their buyer to sign.

whenever I’ve sold, or bought or heard about anyone else doing this they’ve done them within a day or so.

are they wasting on enquiries?

Original poster

Mooshamoo · 23/10/2023 13:24

Wilkolampshade · 23/10/2023 12:11

Are you a first time buyer in England OP? I only ask because sometimes people confuse signing contracts and exchanging contracts. Contracts being signed shows intent, but doesn't tie anyone down, not really. It's only at exchange of contracts that you're definitely getting the house (barring very significant losses if someone pulls out, hardly ever happens) or someone is definitely buying yours.
Most of our house sales/purchases, contracts got signed a few weeks in? Exchange of contracts happened a week or two before completion... The gap between them being initially signed and solicitors being happy enough to exchange has been for us, anywhere between six weeks and a year.

I'm selling the house . Contract of sale was sent from my solicitor to his solicitor four weeks ago.

If I ask my solicitor is there any update, he says that he is waiting to get the signed contracts back from buyers solicitor.

Fingers crossed, I will hear something this week.

OP posts:

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/10/2023 14:37

Just contact your buyer directly, the solicitor won't prioritize the task

Wilkolampshade · 23/10/2023 15:22

Yeah, it doesn't sound like it's unusually slow then. Of course, it could all be a whole lot quicker if everyone was as motivated as yourself, but they rarely are.
Are you buying as well OP?