Can I wait before I give the solicitors money for the searches? Until we know for definite we can get the mortgage?

[CrapBag]

We have just lost £800 on a purchase we had to pull out of so I am keen to not lose more this time.

We have had an offer accepted on a house. We have a MIP. On our last purchase we had a MIP but they declined the amount on application and is was 10k less. If this happens again, we can't go ahead with the purchase. We have another MIP for more from a broker (and different lender, hopefully one that is not notoriously difficult like Nationwide) so hoping it will be ok this time.

My solicitor wants money to do the searches on the new purchase. Last time I paid straight away and it was all done within days.

This time I want to wait until we know for definite that we can get the mortgage we need. It is a non standard construction but they are common in this area and there are lenders that will lend (concrete house). I am more worried about the lender turning down the amount we want to borrow on application, like Nationwide did. If this happens, we will be out of pocket for the searches again.

Can I tell my solicitor that I want to wait? They are very efficient!

Definitely wait until you know for sure you can get a mortgage

Wait.

Also you can get an indemnity policy which insures you for costs if your sale or purchase fall through. They are really cheap in the whole house moving costs scheme of things. I think ours cost £46, and we were reimbursed a number of things when it fell through. It was well worth it, takes the stress off you.

The solicitor can arrange it, it's very straight forward. They should recommend them as standard practice, I never understood why they don't.

They have sent me this but it will only cover if the vendor pulls out, not us. So if something crops up with our mortgage or survey then we won't be covered. Vendor is going in to council accommodation for the elderly or something so I am not really concerned about her pulling out.

It was also more than that for us, £120 if we want to be covered up to 1k. £30 would only cover £200.

Think I'll email them telling them I am waiting for the mortgage first. Not sure how happy they will be about that.

Wait, particularly if it's a concrete house. Mortgage providers are difficult enough at present without additional reasons for turning you down being gifted to them.

Hope you get the mortgage.