How long would you leave waiting for “final responses” from seller solicitor before chasing through estate agent?

[xxxIntergalacticxxx]

I’m in the process of buying a flat and my solicitor informed me we are just waiting on the “final responses” from the seller solicitor, before we can set dates for exchange and completion. I’ve never bought anywhere before so I find the process quite confusing and mystifying. I have previously chased paperwork from the seller solicitor through the estate agent which worked well and sped things up at key points. Not sure how long I should leave it before chasing this time, or if it’s even worth chasing?

I’m in a rush as I’m pregnant (33weeks today!) and I’m under the impression I have to complete the sale before I give birth? Is this usually the case? Broker knows I’m pregnant and suggested this was what needed to happen or we need to get a different mortgage.

Just hoping little one isn’t early otherwise I wouldn’t be so keen on rushing things along.

No idea what your impending birth has to do with anything - surely your pregnancy is immaterial and possibly against any sort of rules regarding discrimination, so your broker is way off (unless it affects your affordability amount somehow).
It really is your solicitor who should do the chasing, but there is probably sime standard amount of time they leave between requesting and expecting answers. I always answer queries same day, but one of them was to get the report to back up damp guarantee and that is taking a week and out of my control.

Having children does affect the mortgage doesn't it, as lenders see children as an additional expense (well, they are!). I presume when you filled out your application you said 0 children? I don't see this as discriminatory but I wouldn't have thought anyone would pull the mortgage from you when you've had the child - how would the mortgage lender even know when you've given birth anyway, unless you tell them? I could be totally wrong though!

@Changingwiththetimes I know I thought it would be against discrimination laws too but after researching a lot it seems as if affordability assessments are the reason. I’m not sure whether all lenders do this or just some...

@Justkeepswimming321 would it not be fraud to withhold information? I’ve never entered into the world of property before so I don’t know how people usually deal with this stuff.

We've been talking to a mortgage broker about a mortgage for a house move and they said banks would expect to be told about anything that you are aware of that could change affordability as part of the application.

In our case that was my pregnancy. As such our affordability checks involved estimations for childcare and also I will have to get a letter from work stating my agreed maternity leave dates and the conditions I'll be returning on (ie same role/hours/pay).

It's like if you changed jobs halfway through the process and were being paid less, there would be an expectation you would inform your mortgage provider.

@Andthenanothercupoftea yes I believe that we have been assessed for pregnancy but not for actual child (broker said that due to pregnancy we could borrow £10k less than previously stated) but that on the birth of child then I’d need maternity leave proof from employer.

I would assume that on Completion you would want to move in, so I would want to time completion to happen with a very generous margin before the birth, or if you are about to give birth now, exchange but set a completion date for as many weeks after the birth as you can!

How long ago did the solicitor send the queries?

I would get the EA on their case.

@xxxIntergalacticxxx unfortunately only if it's an explicit lie... And even then it can be tricky... Take a look at this thread and you will realise you are right to be cautious! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/4211684-Ok-own-up-What-did-you-lumber-your-buyer-with

Viewed some properties yesterday and final offers are required by Monday with no chance of second viewing. 15 min slots, and EA was very wary of anything at all being touched. Couldn't even tell us what the loft is like. House clearly needed a ton of work but hard to tell the extent of it. No chance we're offering. Somebody will though! We will wait until it's less crazy and until we can have a proper look at a property before spending our life savings and getting a whopping mortgage on it!

@RainingBatsAndFrogs they sent them in February but the seller solicitor forgot about some and I chased in early March, we’d been waiting around since then for these last ones to be completed, quite complicated I believe, needed land registry information. Last time I spoke with EA was before Easter and they hadn’t heard back from land registry... maybe I should chase again then. My solicitor seemed to think it was unnecessary for me to chase, but it’s only when I do this that things get moving. I don’t want to seem annoying.

@xxxIntergalacticxxx oh sorry wrong thread! Ignore my response. Re fraud I have no idea!

That is a really slow response! Fair enough if they are waiting on a third party agency, but no excuse for anything else. Keep the pressure on!

IME of having sold and bought 5 times, and also through work, solicitors will prioritise process and details (quite rightly) but with little regard for speed.

EAs will push to keep things moving as they get paid on completion. Everyone else gets paid regardless.