Some advice regarding time frames please!

[Becaroooo]

OK, so.

Supposed to be completing on 30th (thats 2 weeks on weds)

Solicitor got contract from vendor on friday.

There is no chain either end, house is empty, and we have let this house - have to be out by 5th Dec.

Rang solicitor this morning to check how things are going and despite my dh telling me he informed the solicitor of the tight time frame we have she is now denying ever being told and saying its not likely to happen by 30th.

Why is that?

Just need the searches doing (already paid for)
Valuation done, and ok.
Mortage offer docs received.

Am I being dense? Why is 2.5 weeks not long enough???

Help!

Two weeks is a very ambitious time frame, it's relies on no hold ups at all along the way. I think it was foolish of your solicitor to assure you this would be possible, because they can't predict what will happen further down the house buying process with regards to dodgy surveys, vendors being slow etc.

Ideally you want a conveyancer who will do things concurrently rather than one thing at a time. Waiting on land searches and responses from the land registry and the vendors solicitors can take ages (our house move took months to complete because it took weeks to complete the searches) which was frustrating but is out of the solicitors hands because they are waiting on the paperwork too.

Once you do actually exchange contracts there can be up to a week before completion (ie day you get keys).

Do you have a back up plan such as moving in with family / extending contract on your current rental?

Do you have ALL your paperwork completed - your solicitor will need to see copies of your building insurance and you need to sort out life insurance. I found there was always more paperwork to be filled in / signed.

HTH

Becaroo if I read your post right the survey from the mortgage lender has been completed and you have received the offer. So that bit I can discount.

Searches. Searches can take anything from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, and you never know what they are going to show until you receive them. Therefore I would suggest that your solicitor is erring on the side of caution, which they are right to do. Don't panic yet.

Most home insurance companies are quite happy to fax through a certificate showing you are insured on the property (remember to ensure that the lender is noted as an interested party though) within 24/48 hours.

Good luck :)

gonzo Yes thats right. Bank are just waiting for the title request (?) and that takes 5 working days.

Thing is, we paid for the searches 2 weeks ago She is now saying searches should only take 5 working days...

Just dont see how it can take more than 2.5 weeks if everything is in place???

I dont think we could extend the lease tbh, new tennants have signed the contract already AFAIK...we need to complete on 2nd december absolute latest.

If worst comes to worst we can rent a storage unit and stay with my PILs for a month but that would be a real last option....

Call her and ask her to give you a straight answer. Say is it because you are concerned that the searches will show something untoward (it is possible). At this stage do not panic too much.

The last phone call was weird gonzo

1st phone call this morning she was saying "oh I dont think that completion date is possible" and then a couple of hours later it was "we just need to check a couple of issues arising from the valuaion and the searches take 5 days, so dont worry" !!???

Am a bit about it all....

Hi all
quick update:
dh rang solicitor at lunch time to get some more info and the searches are done - they bought the ones that the building company had had done!

some issues that need clearing up arising from valuation - nothing serious, some paperwork I believe. Bank happy with valuation etc.
So, now its looking ok for 2 weeks today!!!!!

Thought that would happen. As we are not there yet I will keep my fingers firmly crossed.

Check how much notice your lender needs to release the funds, some require 10 business days. You can give notice before exchange takes place.

Its 5 working days prima azccording to our bank.

I think thats what really upset me on monday...bank just waiting for title request (I think thats what its called) to release funds. Valuation done, searches done, no chain either side....just dont see what the issue is...