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Original poster

Exchange and complete same day

44 replies

Yesterman1 · 04/02/2021 13:44

Help! Our solicitors have indicated we're completing tomorrow but we still haven't exchanged. When we call they just say that we're 'still on track for tomorrow' but we've had to hire a van to move our stuff and book in a shopping delivery for the evening.

I never realised how precarious an exchange and complete in the same day must feel - has this ever happened to anyone where its fallen through on the day? Is this common?

What if we're packing up the van tomorrow and they call to say it's off? Does this happen?

Feeling very unsure right now!

OP posts:
sothisisit2021 · 04/02/2021 21:09

My daughter did this last year. Hold your nerve. It will be fine

TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 13:38

Did it go through @Yesterman1?

Silkiechickscat · 05/02/2021 13:47

We have been pushed into doing this today as well - so far we've exchanged awaiting completion.

Original poster
Yesterman1 · 06/02/2021 08:30

@TroublesomeTownHouse

Did it go through *@Yesterman1*?
It did! We are now in our (chaotic, untidy) new home Grin
OP posts:
user1471538283 · 06/02/2021 08:40

It used to be very common years ago and I think it is happening more now because of covid. It is incredibly stressful because the exchange bit could fall through. As long as everyone is lined up and you've got everything in a van in time it should be okay.

We moved into rented so we were out nearly three weeks before this happened. I hope it went okay!

TroublesomeTownHouse · 06/02/2021 11:28

well done. Enjoy your new house Smile

Original poster
Yesterman1 · 06/02/2021 11:43

Thank you all! We got the exchange phone call around 1pm as we were packing up the van then complete came an hour or two later.

There were some tears of relief, I confess!

OP posts:
SingingLoud · 06/02/2021 11:56

It's so stressful isn't it, every time we've moved I've said "never again".

Enjoy your new home!

User0ne · 06/02/2021 12:14

We did this in July. It did feel very stressful.

Our buyers moving people turned up before the money had gone through and had to wait for an hour or so until we got confirmation from the solicitors that everything had gone through.

I'd prefer not to do it again (hoping we never have to move again anyway)

Igmum · 06/02/2021 13:08

Glad it worked for you OP. I don't like this either. Bring back the month gap between exchange and completion so we know where we are and can organise things properly

WombatChocolate · 06/02/2021 13:30

Glad it worked out for you.
I would never do this through choice - at least a week between the 2, but really glad you’re in. Enjoy!

BrowncoatWaffles · 06/02/2021 14:57

Massive congratulations @Yesterman1. Completely academic now but we moved last month with a week between exchange and completion and no covid clause. It was all massively stressful but worked ok in the end - never moving again though!

It's that weird thing. When you buy your first house it feels so utterly stressful and horrible and you don't actually realise until you buy and sell at the same time the next go around that it is actually the easiest it'll ever be...!

murbblurb · 06/02/2021 16:15

good news!!

your solicitor worked for you and should have had the courtesy to explain why they made recommendations (not decisions). Leave a suitable review..

enjoy your new home!

Roselilly36 · 06/02/2021 18:37

A friend of mine did exchange & completion the same day, but she was moving to a new build. I am moving atm, we have had 9 days between exchange & completion, two weeks would be better IMHO, less of a rush.

Roselilly36 · 06/02/2021 18:40

@BrowncoatWaffles I totally agree, we are NEVER moving again either!

OUB1974 · 06/02/2021 21:31

We had a week between ours. The day after exchange, we got an email from my son's school that he had to self isolate! Luckily we were moving in with family, so we quickly decamped to there, a week earlier than planned and he self isolated in the spare room. If we'd been going to a new home though it would have been disastrous! Not sure what the answer is...our exchange was delayed day by day for almost 3 weeks so that would have been equally annoying and more costly.

MissTiss · 15/06/2022 20:45

We are doing this tomorrow and I am so worried. Why do people agree on a date if they / solicitor not ready! 8 months pregnant so could do without the stress. Please send good wishes 🤗

Brunonono · 15/06/2022 23:08

Mildura · 04/02/2021 15:12

Despite the posts above it really is not very common for exchange and completion to take place on the same day.

The only circumstances where it should be contemplated is when the buyer has no related sale and the property being purchased is already vacant. In all other instances it should be avoided where possible.

We completed and exchanged on the same say but was a probate purchase and no sale required so chain free. It worked out fine but imagine could be very stressful for a more complex chain.

Brunonono · 15/06/2022 23:09

Should have read all the posts first... Glad all worked out for you and enjoy your new home!

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