Everything about buying a house is so old-fashioned

[Trills]

My mortgage company has demanded that I take them a CHEQUE to pay their fees.
I asked if I could pay by bank transfer - nope, they need a cheque.
I asked if they would need to wait for the cheque to clear before moving to the next stage - nope, they are happy to proceed with an uncleared cheque, but they need that bit of paper.

Last week the estate agent phoned me to ask a question - I had emailed them about it three days before and they hadn't checked their email.
The next day I had to email them again so I left a voicemail telling them to check their email.

Slightly worried someone is going to ask me to fax them before this is over. :o

Well my experience has been completely different: online mortgage application, although granted they had a system problem which meant we had to go into a branch more than once. Fees paid by bank transfer.

EA email and phone contact.

Solicitor contact by online tracker, email and phone. We're not near the solicitor so everything is done remotely. Solicitor also has a secure online payment system.

Asking for a cheque might be a security/ID related thing.

Ha :)
We've just been dealing with an estate agent (a particularly bad one I thibk) and if I called at 9.10 she just seemed completely flummoxed. I described it to dh that it seemed to me that she still hadn't taken the cover off her typewriter yet. We'd made enquiries about a house with a colleague. To find out where the colleague was up to involved having a look round the office to see if she'd written it on a scrap of paper anywhere.
I imagine her on one of those really old fashioned phones, where you dialled using the mouthpiece!

The mortgage is with a large and modern-seeming bank - they have been very good with everything else, it's just the cheque that has amused me. Maybe it is a security thing.

Conveyancers are online and have been good so far.

Can't do anything about the Estate Agents - they are the ones with the flat that I want!

"Operator, get me Bromley 4985..." That kind of telephone!?

I bet you feel like screaming "BUT IT'S THE 21st CENTURY FGS!"

^Here comes the 21st Century...

Yes but wasn't there also a period where you used to tap the cradle three times for a three etc? Or did I imagine that?
Basing this on watching crap 80s sitcoms :o
be glad you're not my dh. He seems to think writing a cheque is a Very Big Deal. Best pen, best writing. Plans what he'll write first. It takes him bloody ages!

I know what you mean, it is a bit like that.

Don't worry though, if you have any specific questions you could always ring the office and ask them to page the estate agent

Hello STOP wire the money immediately STOP have a nice day STOP

When are you moving in anyway trills? All sounds very exciting. I assume you're having a full mn housewarming?

What's a MN housewarming? A moany rant, posted from my phone, about how long it's taking to get internet? :o

I couldn't agree more. My recent experience includes my local solicitor dictating a one line letter that sits in a typing pile for three days before being typed and posted to me - all bit Dickensian.

I just don't get it.

That's it, Trills, and we all respond with and !

omg I agree! I have been hoping to exchange today and thought my solicitor would pick the phone and just ask the other side if they are ready and if yes, agree to exchange.

but no - she has sent a letter - an actual letter not even an email to the other solicitor to confirm they are ready to exchange. sorry?! jesus wept. email is easy, quick and free.

I've handed over a cheque - I really hope it is appreciated :o

Best handwriting?

I actually cannot believe how dated this whole house buying system is- particularly with the solicitors! Mortgage company communication was all through email/text. Solicitors seem to be using carrier pigeon! The two firms are practically on the same street! I have offered to walk documents round to pick the pace up a bit!!

Our solicitor contacts by email or phone by default (you have to check a box of you want letters instead - we don't). We chose a local one so that we can stage a sit in if necessary.

OP , our mortgage company wanted to fax us a form. DH had to go round a few departments at work to find a working fax (The form was for HR)

Mine actually managed to call me today to tell me we have exchanged, but nothing from my EA despite me e-mailing them twice. They were reasonably keen before their £ was secured!

Looking on the bright side, I will never have to deal with any of them again after this week (and that is a very bright side).

Mortgage broker said he would call back in 5 mins that was yesterday at 2pm. Left me a voicemail today at 1pm.

So he gave me enough time to ditch him and go elsewhere.

My loan company also asked for a £1 cheque for a copy of the agreement