4 weeks from offer to completion.... is it possible?

[Wittow]

The people that want to buy the house I am selling (probate property, I am the executor of will) want to be in by the beginning of March and so are talking of a completion target of 4 weeks. There is no chain as they are cash buyers. Do you think it is possible? And is there anything I can do to enable it to happen as quick as this?

What do solicitors actually do that takes so long???

Took us 5 months!

I bought a house under the exact same conditions. Probate sale, cash purchase no chain. I had my keys in 4 weeks 3 days but that was to suit me. I could have had them exactly 4 weeks after my offer was accepted. So its do able. I was told that that was certainly the quickest it could be done

I did it in 6 with a mortgage and got the impression from my solicitors that it could have been quicker if we wanted - it was about 2 weeks of intermittent paperwork then all quiet until just before the date of entry. It wasn't a probate sale but the owner had already moved out and was keen to stop paying for his empty flat. But that was in Scotland - might be more faff in England?

It is certainly possible.

I assume you have the grant of probate?

The main thing you can do is to respond to queries from the solicitor as swiftly as possible, and provide all relevant documentation relating to the house to your solicitor.

Make sure that your solicitor is aware of the proposed timeframe.

My solicitors said 4 to 6 weeks was possible. To get 4 weeks though both you and them have to have everything done by return - we did six weeks purchase only but solicitor on holiday for 2 weeks so 4 in reality. We even did my husband picking up and taking documents to solicitor and I regularly checked with solicitor there were no outstanding issues by e-mail. I have an amazing solicitor and that helps too.

I assume they're in rented and want to give notice?

It's certainly possible but a large part of it will be out of your (and their) hands. Be as pro-active as possible in responding to enquires etc and inform solicitors on both sides of the proposed time frame.

We did it in 5 weeks with a mortgage as ftb. No upper chain as sellers relocated into a rental. Definitely possible with good solicitors.

Took me every single day of a 6 month period just to remortgage!

It's not so much your solicitors as the things like searches and whatnot that can add on time. Although solicitors can give glaciers a run for their money...

The quickest I did for cash buyers was a week. They had a survey, probably no searches, their solicitors and I were aware of the rush so dealt with things quickly.

4 weeks for cash buyers on a probate sale is perfectly doable. I assume you've got the grant of probate?

Yes, have obtained grant of probate.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I will report back... ;)

Hi, I'm just reporting back as promised.

Exchange of contracts today (so AFAIK the deal is now done...)

Completion on Monday. Wish me luck with clearing the shed and garage!!!

I'm actually a little bit amazed it's gone through so quickly. Just shows it can be done!

Easily!
We bought a house 4 years ago with no chain and comleted in 5 weeks 6 days with a mortgage application.
You just need a complete paper trail, no surprises and competent conveyancer.