What happens now?

[reginaphalange101]

Hi all,

Me and DP are first time buyers so we're very new to the process.

We put an offer on our dream home in February which was accepted. We submitted our mortgage app to Halifax and they tried to arrange a valuation of the property - this was MASSIVELY delayed due to COVID.

Finally after almost 4 months of nothing (but stress!) they completed the valuation yesterday and issued us our mortgage offer. A copy has been sent to the solicitor but we haven't really been told what happens now.

I'm 30 weeks pregnant on Friday and desperate to get things moving before baby arrives, and we've already been delayed so much. Can anyone explain what will happen now please?

Thank you

As you've got your mortgage offer, it's really down to your solicitor.

Has your solicitor:

• Recieved the results of all relevant searches?
• Raised enquiries and received satisfactory replies?
• Checked all relevant building regs/planning permission documents are in order?
• Confirmed the title is clean, without issue?

What's the situation with the owner of the property you are hoping to buy? Is it occupied? Do they need to find somewhere? Is the chain complete?

Congratulations, it's exciting isn't it! We're just a bit further ahead than you, although won't be completing for several more months unfortunately because of building delays.

So far we have:

• Had the property surveyed.
• The property 'searches' carried out.
• Queries raised by solicitor to the vendor regarding any further legal bits like property boundaries etc.
• Received different bits of paperwork to read through and sign - searches, deeds, fittings and fixtures etc
• we are soon due to sign contracts, then exchange, then complete.

We've been very lucky that the house is in good condition, there are only two of us in the chain, and no issues have come up during legal proceedings - our delays are solely due to covid.

Hope it goes smoothly for you - don't be afraid to ask your solicitor if they haven't explained the process properly yet.

Now call the solicitor and ask what their next steps are because you're 30 weeks pregnant and want to get a shift on!