Speed of buying property

[caringcarer]

Can I ask what is the quickest time it takes for a property sale to complete if both seller and buyer are both pushing for a quick sale and complete all paperwork by return of post? Seller is going to live with daughter and not buying another property, so no chain and buyer does not have to sell property, so no chain either. Is 4 weeks unreasonable? What is your quickest sale/purchase?

I’m in the same position. Offer accepted on Thurs last week. Solicitor in place but agents haven’t sent the memorandum of sale yet. I will chase tomorrow. Mortgage broker will submit all the paperwork tomorrow. No chain on either side but I’m not expecting to be in for Christmas - figuring mid Jan is probably realistic. But who knows - no idea how long searches may take, and how much back and forth may happen if anything is thrown up in the survey

FTB dd1 - 6 weeks, vendor was anxious to move to next house.

FTB dd2 - over 3 months, probate sale - I.e.no chain, no apparent difficulties.

I think it can depend a lot on how active the solicitors are - some do need a stick of dynamite up their arses to get moving - and how much vendor and buyer are prepared to chivvy them.

Not sure how urgently our vendors want to be out. Hopefully as keen as we are to be in!
Is that the tip then - keep (politely) harassing everyone to make sure things are on track?

I always use same solicitor as she's brilliant - this one we needed small mortgage, 2nd property - took 6 weeks including first two her being on holiday so could potentially have been 4.

Well at least stamp duty did not go up. Seen new solicitor apparently searches are taking about 3 weeks in our area. Collected paperwork from old solicitor myself and delivered to new one as I had to pay funds on account. Also emailed across memorandum of sale as estate agent had emailed me a copy. New solicitor waiting for contract from seller and our formal offer from BS which we expect in next couple of days as we had phone call to say we are approved and checking details of new solicitor that paperwork had to be posted out to. Valuer has also been appointed. Still hoping for Dec but realistically probably towards end now.

Flibbertyjibbit I think you should definitely be in for Xmas providing your seller wants it too.

Ooh, that’s exciting. Fingers crossed for you.

Mortgage application is in. Annoyingly the agents sent stuff to solicitor by post not email - not sure why! Eventually they emailed it so they’re working on stuff now.
At what point do you think we can start to work our a rough timeline? My solicitors are waiting for the draft contract pack from the vendors solicitor.
I might call the agent on Monday and ask what the timescale vendors are working towards

Im in the process of my third purchase.
Typically, you should allow four weeks to offer, four weeks to exchange, four weeks to completion.
In reality it depends on many different factors, and you will never move faster than the slowest person involved.
Our buyer is almost ready to exchange, but our sellers have done nothing so far.

Mortgage offer arrived beginning of last week and searches were ordered underway the same day. Apparently searches often take 3+ weeks in our area. All signatures and paperwork now in place and pack in from seller so still on track for Dec completion.

4 weeks from viewing until moving in. No chain either side, vacant property and both using the same conveyancing firm.

Just back to update thread. We exchange contracts today and we complete on Dec 20th so we will be in for Xmas after all. Feeling very pleased and excited. Searches only took 3 weeks and 3 days and whole process for viewing property to completion will have taken less than 8 weeks.. I hope others are as lucky too.

That’s exciting!! Congratulations, hope you have a great Christmas in your new house!