Survey how long

[Iamthedom]

How soon after making an offer / mortgage in place would you get a survey done if you were serious about buying a property

I moved in to my new house mid December.

We were cash buyers and arranged a survey as soon as we knew our offer was successful (I'm in England but it went to sealed bids)

Anyway, survey took place a week later but the actual report took a further two weeks and lots of chasing.

We compleated in 5 weeks.

Actually getting the survey done can take a while - backlogs of several weeks are not uncommon especially with the Christmas break. But you'd get it booked in asap within a couple of days of offer acceptance.

Yes you tell your broker or bank you have found a place and they should at least give a date for when the surveyor can visit.

Thanks
I’m the seller
House went on market Nov sold straight away 20k over asking price
Probate property
Everything on my side is done paperwork to solicitors probate certificates
So just there solicitors to do any searches
Buyers have been in at least 4 possibly 5 times since initial viewing measuring up
They are first time buyers
Mortgage valuation done in Dec

valuation Is fine

Now they are arranging a survey which I thought was strange at this stage

Estate agent has said it just for them that they don’t intend mess about with the price as the house is in a very popular location houses only come when people die 😂 I’m fairly certain the survey will have the usual buyers beware stuff as the house is 160 years old

But arranging a survey this late just seemed strange

It does seem strange and I would call up the solicitors and ask when exchange is due to take place. Your solicitor should contact the buyers solicitors and find out have they got the search results and their mortgage offer.
Put pressure on them to exchange. It sounds like a hot property but they are dragging their feet.
Are they in a chain?

@MarineBlue33
Enquires from their solicitors to mine has only just come though to me this week .
There was a slight delay on my side of about 3 weeks as I had to get the 0 charge removed off the deed which I wasn’t aware of but this has all been done . Got probate through within 7 weeks
I’ve managed to answer all the enquiries and because the solicitors is local drop everything directly to the office so no delay with this
No dates yet for exchange

I’m just selling and They are FTB not in a chain have mortgage and deposit in place

Valuation by mortgage company is fine and the house is worth the price I think the mortgage valuer went to the house direct as it’s not been sold in over 50 years
It’s a very popular area and it sold within a week so I have no doubts I could sell it just as quickly
It just seemed strange to leave it from Nov to now to get a survey done

So did they have a valuation survey done via their mortgage provider?
I suppose the 3 week delay on your part and Christmas in between could add to the time lag.
Is the survey they are having done independent of the mortgage survey?
The survey may be just to inform them of work they need to do. However, you can say sold as seen as you are in a strong position. If they start messing you around, just ask the estate agent to go anyone else who has bid and is still looking. That will get any messing around and potential price drops to be stopped.

@MarineBlue33 thank you
The survey in Dec was a valuation survey done via their mortgage provider? Price of the house was fine it’s probably about 80k under the market for a house of that’s been done up to a decent spec

The survey that is booked in is one they are paying for themselves is an independent one

The delay couldn’t be helped as I wasn’t aware there was a 0 charge on the property so I had to get the mortgage company to remove the charge .
I did manage to get that sorted out in record time - even my solicitor was impressed 😂
Even the enquiries that I got yesterday I have answered them and dropped the paperwork of to my solicitors . I feel like I’m doing my bloody A levels again having to research stuff and answer questions 😂

Yes it isn't too unusual that they are doing this and I think that you need to allow for Christmas and your delay.
Yes the conveyancing process is a bit long winded. But you can chase your solicitor to see what is outstanding. Their solicitor should be making a final report to his/ her clients (your buyer) very soon.
Just stand firm if their survey shows up 'things they didn't expect'. A friend was in this exact scenario last year, selling her mum's old house. Because she wasn't in a rush, she didn't budge on the price when the buyers tried it on after their survey.

All the best. But feel free to ask any questions!