How long do you think it will be before we get the keys to our new home?

[Pookimum]

Maybe I am being completely unrealistic but I am dreaming of our first Christmas as a family being in our first family home.

We had an offer accepted two weeks ago, there is no chain on either side - we are first time buyers & the house belonged to a lady who died & her family just want to get rid of it. We have 50% deposit, only want to borrow twice DH's income so hopefully should be no problems with the mortgage. We heard yesterday that the lender has instructed the valuation survey - is this a good sign that our mortgage is likely to be approved soon? We had survey done last week & there's no problems with the house.
Instructed lawyers and put in mortgage application the same day as offer was accepted.
We are new to all of this & keep hearing different estimates as to how long it could take for the sale to go through. How long do people think this will take, should I forget about being in by Christmas?

Has the family stipulated a move-in date?

It takes approx 4-6 weeks to go through the whole process.

Average is apparently 13 weeks from offer to completion but I expect that includes properties in chains. Tbh, unless you are prepared to nag agents, solicitors and mortgage company every day, I think Christmas is unrealistic . We bought a probate chain-free property and it still took six months as the solicitor "forgot" to apply for probate so it's all very unpredictable I'm afraid. Good luck (but don't set your heart on it).

We're buying in a similar situation to you. We asked for 28 days to exchange as there was no chain either end and everyone was keen to move.

The best advice wise Mumsnetters gave me was to chase, chase, chase. Every time I haven't, it seems the solicitors have let things slide.

Even though everyone has tried their best, the process and speed of the conveyancing has meant that we're looking at exchanging this week and completing next week. So that will be 6 weeks from accepting the offer.

We get the keys to the property then - unfortunately the removal co who have all our stuff in storage can't move us in until after Christmas .

You really only have 3-4 weeks before everyone starts shutting down for Christmas. Good luck - I know exactly how you feel but don't be too disappointed if it doesn't happen.

We hope to exchange by 24th December, but not complete until after christmas. There is no reason you can't complete and exchange on the same day but very risky. You need to discuss dates now. Chase, chase, chase - talk to your solicitor at least once a week and your EA the same.

Thanks everyone. We rang the solicitors today and they said they have received draft contract from the vendor's solicitor & also are doing the searches. They quoted an average of 4-6 weeks and as it has been two weeks already I'm not going to give up all hope of being in for Christmas, but I'm not going to get too excited either as I'm sure they'll all start winding down for Christmas soon.

I didn't realise we could specify/request dates, we thought we just had to wait to be told when things were going to happen. Fiddledee - I didn't know you can exchange & complete on the same day, why is it risky?

Dates being specified from the date of an offer is quite normal. Main risk in exchanging and completing on the same day is that it falls through. This happened to a friend all his stuff was in the removal van and then told that one of the buyers in the chain had pulled out at exchange so removal van had to go back home a very expensive and distressing experience.