In theory, how fast could exchange be?

[Cherrycynic]

I know, I know, how long is a piece of string, but our deposit money needs a fair bit of notice to move to a more accessible account and I'm not sure when to start the process.

Our mortgage is sorted, survey done, searches have just been started (local council says 15 working days ish). No chain.

Assuming the searches are straightforward (realise they likely won't be) and don't generate a load of complications... how quickly could the sale be done in theory?

Could move the money now I guess but it's earning well for us where it is so would rather leave it there until it's needed (plus knowing my luck if we move it now the whole sale will collapse).

I would ask your solicitor for advice. And then you can stipulate when exchange happens to suit you. I think you are right to keep funds where they are if they are earning well.

Searches at the moment are slow. Our council said 15 working days and actually took 23.

When I asked my solicitor suggested we could exchange in 2-3 weeks. I then suggested to set the exchange date a week after that to suit my move of funds. It is working out perfectly.

That's a good point re moving exchange back if we need to.

Haven't discussed any possible timescales with the solicitor yet, will perhaps see how the searches are going in a week or two and go from there.

Probably tempting fate just considering that it might be quicker than expected and we'll still be muddling through it all in October!

Are you selling as well?

No, we are in rented having already sold a while back.

Vendors are moving to their second home too, so there is no chain whatsoever.

How long do you need? I had to sell some stocks and it took much longer than the broker said - it was supposed to be two weeks but then it took a further week for it to go through the process and I had the cash in the bank. Doubt the searches will turn up mich if you are familiar eith the area - its the house and any building work or survey that seems to raise 'questions'.

From offer to moving in was 6 weeks including Christmas and new year!!! Amazing but only because our buyer was desperate so spent ages driving documents everywhere

Wow that's good going @fireplaceburning!

I think 3 weeks is probably realistic here too @Midlifephoenix, maybe even 4.

My daughter sold beginning November. Will not complete until 15th march. Solicitors very very slow. No chain on either side.

Solicitors are very very slow right now, we've just moved had a very easy chain of 3. No problems on any of the houses/mortgages was a text book move.
Sold just before Christmas and completed 3rd March so it wasn't too long for us, however I had to push like crazy every single day. Had I not of put the pressure on the estate agents and solicitors that I did there is no way we would be moved till end of March at the earliest. My advice is just keep pushing.

Yes, we are under no illusions and fully expect it to drag on for months; just trying to be prepared really in case things do go quicker than we anticipate!