First time buyer

[Emma3210]

Hi wondering if anyone can help. I'm in the middle of buying my first property and I'm doing it alone. My mortgage has been accepted and I've had some paperwork from the solicitor. I hadn't heard much since so emailed and they said they are waiting for searches to come back then they will exchange contracts. Does anyone know how long searches should take and when I should expect to swap contracts? Thank you x

It completely depends - search length varies by LA. Are you in a chain? As you won't exchange until whole chain are ready to. 12 weeks used to be average for conveyancing, last stat I heard said it was c. 20. You won't be the priority at the mo as everyone is driving forward the exchanges/completions that need to meet SDLT deadline.

There is three of us in a chain including me. The property I'm buying they are ready to move into the house opposite them, I'm pretty sure the house they're moving into are ready as well. It sounds as if everyone is ready we're just waiting for things to go through, but I suppose I'm the last one to hear anything. The two others are going to have stamp duty so hopefully they'll push for it sooner x

Stamp duty deadline is 30/6 so I doubt your chain will make that.
You'll just have to wait - searches took around 8 weeks for me.

After searches back your solicitor will review them then may have some enquiries. Have you had a survey? May be some off that too. Also the property information forms can throw up some issues. After all is returned to solicitor they write up a report that gets sent to you. Once you are happy with it all then you are in a position to exchange and agree completion dates with the whole chain.
Searches can take days to weeks. Enquiries the same.

@Livingintheclouds

After searches back your solicitor will review them then may have some enquiries. Have you had a survey? May be some off that too. Also the property information forms can throw up some issues. After all is returned to solicitor they write up a report that gets sent to you. Once you are happy with it all then you are in a position to exchange and agree completion dates with the whole chain. Searches can take days to weeks. Enquiries the same.

Survey was done two weeks ago and the report has been seen by me and solicitors, weren't any problems. I was sent the property information forms last week and agreed I'm happy with them to. Searches were started last week and I've found out with my local authority the turn around is about 9 working days, so I'm hoping another 3 weeks maybe before we exchange and talk about a date, unless I'm bonkers thinking that? I am a FTB after all 🤣

Been in touch with the lady I'm buying off and they're just waiting to hear and also the ones there buyer off (the last in the chain) are waiting to hear. All paperwork in with all solicitors and all surveys completed and reports back.......just the waiting game!