Exchanged contracts - now what!

[Pisky]

Have just heard from solicitors that we have exchanged contracts and I am running round like a looney - what is the most important thing to do first? Completion date is next thursday - 3rd March

Have put champagne in the fridge to chill for tonight but probably more practical things to do....

Most important thing is to start packing! Basically you have to be out of your home (if that is what you are selling) and can take possession of the new place (if you are buying - not clear from your post) in 8 days' time. You don't really have to do anything as your solicitor should have made sure all the funds are in place, paperwork correct etc so now it's just a question of the practicalities of moving, getting lots of boxes and filling them, getting final bills from utilities etc.

Congratulations, the really frustrating part of the process is over.

We have decided to let the removals company pack most of it on advice of friends who have moved.

Am starting to calm down a little - doesn't help that the kids are off school this week so house is more chaotic than normal!

lucky you!

You might/want to pack somethings yourself. My packers say they won't be doing toiletries for example. Use up all the odd bits in the freezer/fridge. Cancelling direct debits/bills etc.

Have you confirmed the date to the removals company?

Arrange to collect packing materials/tape/marker pens.

Advise utility/phone companies and local council of the date, and make sure your vendors have done the same. We had a three week gap with no phone/TV/internet in the new place because that wasn't done soon enough.

Start on emptying/packing the loft and shed!!!

Start packing things like your "smalls". Do you really want the removal men poking about there?

Throw out anything you don't want. If you have a huge pile of crap unwanted possessions, get a rubbish removal company to cart it all off. Yes to utilities, get a folder and keep all the important paperwork that you'll need on the day.

And congratulations :)

The loft!!!! oing to take most of the weekend to empty the loft I think - that and for DH to pack the contents of his shed.

Fimbo good point... Think will pack a suitcase with essential clothes as will be packed & loaded the day before move and no doubt won't want to unpack everything to find clean underwear for the next day....

Been phoning utilities etc - trying to decide who we want to go with for phone/broadband & electric.

Set up a post redirection service, then you don't have to worry straight away about bills going astray etc. Contact the council to cancel poll tax/residents parking permits etc. The Royal Mail website has a good section on moving house - with standard bank/utilities letters etc that you can just fill the blanks in.

Get some insurance in place on your new house asap!

It is usual to insure your new house from exchange, not wait until completion. Think it makes things easier if something does happen in the next couple of weeks and you are still legally bound to buy the new house...you'll have your own insurance to deal with any problems that arise after exchange, rather than the vendor's insurance.

Onlyaphase - out solicitior said we had to have the insurance from exchange, because basically it is your home from that moment. Usually easiest to go with the same insurer, especially if there have been any issues in the past.

Put the things you need on moving day in your car

Are they packing on one day or two? XH said cheerfully to the packers they could "do the kitchen" so they did, everything except the fridge, and I had to phone a friend to invite the DCs round for tea that night....

I have to disagree on insurance. If there is a claim and there is double insurance it will take ages to sort out. You need your solicitor to tell you what the contract says and what your mortgage offer obliges you to do about insurance.

fridayschild you need to have insurance on the building from exchange.

Definitely need Buildings Insurance from exchange date. And Contents Insurance from completion date.

Call your current insurers - they will usually cover the new place while keeping the policy in place for the house you are in - they are used to doing this.

Your mortgage offer will normally specify this.

Insurance already sorted - had to be for exchange so thats done.

Have just done Royal mail redirection online for the family :) - will need to go in to Post Office do my business one. :(

We are moving 85+miles so they are packing & loading on the day before completion so that we can have an early start to get to the new house as soon as possible. Will be camping in our current house overnight before the move as they will have taken everything inc the beds - think its a good excuse for a take away and . Just hope keys will be released not too late.

Schools are a bit of a pain as its half term - will have to phone them on monday.

Calming down now - got most of the big things sorted, just getting ready over the weekend for the packers to arrive. Must remember to get and for the removal men...

Hi All, I hope all are doing great.
Buying a house is really a tense process and especially when you stuck in a chain although I am first time buyer however I've just heard from solicitors that contracts have been exchanged. Completion date is next Tuesday - 8th August.
Do you think of any hurdle left now in the process before we get keys :)

Thanks

Best to start a new thread saqib, this one's 6 years old.