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Original poster

Exchanging contracts now- how long is this going to take?

16 replies

Snargaluff · 28/10/2013 08:50

Put in an offer for a house 12 weeks ago. Am buying cash, no mortgage, no chain.
It has been with the solicitors til now! 4 weeks ago I got fixtures and fittings form.
Apparently now tomorrow we are exchanging contracts. Why is this taking so long? Is this normal? And when will I be able to move in? I'm a teacher, I was hoping to have this week to move but obviously that won't happen.

Does anyone know when realistically I might actually move?

OP posts:
specialsubject · 28/10/2013 09:31

sounds like you have a really crap solicitor because they should be communicating with you and should have long since discussed a suitable completion date.

get on the phone and demand to know what is going on. Keep demanding, keep phoning.

VanitasVanitatum · 28/10/2013 09:33

You can exchange and complete simultaneously if there is no chain. Call your sol and ask.

Original poster
Snargaluff · 28/10/2013 09:34

Thanks. Ive been so busy at work so i havent pushed for anything at all. So ridiculous that you pay this much money to be kept totally in the dark. Im going to ask if we can complete on the same day. Thanks.

OP posts:
HaveToWearHeels · 28/10/2013 15:42

I have heard that there is a back log at the moment for searches so this may have been the delay.

specialsubject · 28/10/2013 15:48

time taken for searches depends on where you are. It is different in different areas.

OP - you have a crap solicitor who only works when nagged. Pester and then raise a complaint and demand a discount. Not good enough.

beaglesaresweet · 28/10/2013 16:24

but maybe it's slow because the vendor needed time to buy? it may be their side or solicitor that's slow.

beaglesaresweet · 28/10/2013 16:25

of course if the vendor is still processing their next pourchase, completion may be a month or more away.

Original poster
Snargaluff · 28/10/2013 18:00

The vendor had this property as a rental property so can't imagine they needed time to buy. I called the solicitor who sounded apologetic, I asked if we could exchange and complete on one day and they said they will tell me tomorrow if that's possible.

OP posts:
HelloBoys · 28/10/2013 18:12

I work for a sol, we normally look to exchange 3 weeks approx after searches, additional enquiries (on property) etc have been returned. 12 weeks is awful. Speak to someone senior in conveydncjng. Maybe get estate agents to chase.

Oh and push for simultaneous exchange and completion.

orangepudding · 28/10/2013 18:16

Where I live searches are taking 6 - 8 weeks if carried out by the council! This may have been the case.

Original poster
Snargaluff · 28/10/2013 19:25

Thanks hello boys I will. And orange, didn't realise it was taking so long, that's mad but likely explains it

OP posts:
HelloBoys · 28/10/2013 21:52

orange - generally (I'm in London area but we cover home counties) though a few councils ARE taking longer (good old cut backs) we could not do our job if they took 6-8 weeks. everyone would get pissed off all round.

we actually got in touch with Merton Council (our local one) to complain (naively) about length of time for searches and they're now speedier...

Snargaluff - if you want any more info just PM me. more than happy to ask my boss stuff for you.

also I posted this earlier but was on train - IF it's a rental property then the 12 weeks MAY be because the tenants haven't been given notice to quit or in fact are just NOT leaving. happened recently with some of our tenants. also if the solicitor does not know what they're doing (sort of happened with our tenants, LOL) then timescales can elapse and lo and behold tenants are still there.

this could well be why the 12 weeks delay.

like I said before - ask more questions then get back to me and I should be able to pick through it. I deal with the joys of conveyancing every day.

and estate agents are normally right PITA when it comes to wanting their commission so I am very surprised they haven't been on your or your sols or the vendors' sols cases!

orangepudding · 29/10/2013 08:09

The ea I am.buying.through told me la searches are taking 6 weeks, a friend said hers took 8. My solicitor uses a private company to do.personal searches even they take 2 weeks at the moment. We had a 3 week.wait for our homebuyers survey, with so many people buying at the moment there are some long.delays

Snargaluff, hope you get.your keys soon!

poocatcherchampion · 29/10/2013 08:20

our searches took less than a week in June. I heard they are much quicker these days. sorry to add fuel to the fire!

Original poster
Snargaluff · 29/10/2013 12:08

grr. Yes it was a rental but the tenants had already left long before I put the offer on.

I hadn't thought about the EAs, but you're right, I'm also surprised they've not been pushing for a quicker deal

OP posts:
HelloBoys · 29/10/2013 17:15

speak to the EAs. normally a PITA in most cases but when their commission is due they're normally keen as mustard.

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