Who do I talk to about the proposed completion date? Solicitor or estate agent?

[SellerQ1]

In the process of selling and, initially, I asked the EA when the buyer would like to move. We both agreed we’d try for the end of February. I have no idea how likely that is at the moment, but things seem to be ticking on.

I have asked my solicitor twice if he can confirm that the buyers still want to complete by end of February, and if that’s possible, but he never replies (he’s shit. A family friend. DH’s fault we’re using him).

But should I be asking the EA this? As they’re the in-between between me and the buyer? The EA has been great so far - always replies quickly, always helpful.

I think both could be involved in communicating this with the vendors. In our case, I believe it was initially discussed with the EA. This is because we had a conversation with EA about exchange dates (our vendors were keen about a particular exchange, but more flexible on completion), so while we were discussing the exchange, I said, we'd like to complete in roughly this week, can you confirm if this would work for vendors? They did and then we confirm with solicitor.

I would go with whoever is more responsive. For something like this, which is just communication, I would tend to go via EA because it's one less link in the telephone chain to speak directly to vendors.

Ask your solicitor what is feasible in terms of when things are likely to be ready but in my experience the actually negotiation on preferred completion dates goes through the EAs

I negotiated completion via solicitor, just notifying the agent so they could pass the message on a second time. The EA is far less formal and is a good person to pass messages like this on through.

Does everybody have their searches back?
Are the surveys done?
Are the mortgage offers confirmed?
Are all the major enquiries done?
If yes to everything you maybe in a position to complete by the end of the month. If not it is getting less likely.

@Lonecatwithkitten

Does everybody have their searches back? Are the surveys done? Are the mortgage offers confirmed? Are all the major enquiries done? If yes to everything you maybe in a position to complete by the end of the month. If not it is getting less likely.

All of the above is done (I believe) except the searches.

We’re chain free, moving into rented, so do need to plan but won’t hold anything up at our end.

I keep asking our solicitor if there’s anything he needs from us, but he just doesn’t reply!

(But there is a problem with local searches at the moment because of a Cyber attack, apparently!)

I would definitely follow up with both.

Your solicitor has a direct line to the other side solicitor, and as they'll need to agree the legal process, best that they are aligned early doors.

Your EA has a direct line to the vendor, who'll need to get themselves in gear to leave on the right day.

Your EA has a direct line to both solicitors, so in theory will be working with them both, particularly in negotiating, if there is any disagreement.

If you e got a good EA, they can be key in making it all happen at the right time.

You can discuss general preferred dates with the EAs/buyers/sellers a to get a feel for everyone's preferences.

However, until all the legal work has been done by the solicitors acting for all the various clients in the chain, exchange (and therefore) completion cannot be guaranteed or promised. It is the completion of their work that will be the deciding factor.

Thank you for this advice! I contacted the EA who contacted the buyer who says they’re still keen to exchange by the end of Feb and everything seems to be in place to make it happen. (The EA is great and so speedy at getting back to me.)

Would that then be a completion for a week or so later? What’s the norm?

Id always propose completion the week before you want it to give you some leeway when they don't pull their finger out

@whyohwhyohwhyohwhywhy

Id always propose completion the week before you want it to give you some leeway when they don't pull their finger out

So do you think exchange on, say, Feb 25 (a Friday) and completion on March 4 (also a Friday)? Or is a Monday better?!

So many questions! I honestly can’t remember what happened when we bought this place!

I would start chasing and saying you want to exchange end of next week. Then if you are lucky it may happen the week after.
Generally someone in the chain has to be chivvying things along. Speak to both your EA and solicitor.

@SellerQ1

(But there is a problem with local searches at the moment because of a Cyber attack, apparently!)

Until you have the searches you are not in a position to exchange you need to get an idea of how long they are going to take.

If the searches are being held up by a cyber attack, how can a date be set?

Do you happen to know if it's the council system ir the law form systems being hacked? There were posts on here about a cyber attack on law firm systems last year.

PS Fridays are the most popular days for exchange and completion so I'm planning to avoid Fridays.

A Friday is a terrible day for exchange or completion as if there is a technical delay or something goes wrong you’ve got a long wait until Monday. It’s much better to aim for a mid week completion.

Have searched come back? Is buyers mortgage offer in place? Have questions form been completed by seller and agreed by purchaser? If everything done then exchange can go ahead and completion usually 1 week later.

@SellerQ1

(But there is a problem with local searches at the moment because of a Cyber attack, apparently!)

Is this a problem with a search provider, or the cyber attack experienced by law firms under the Simplify Group?

The Simplify Group were cyber attacked last November and has caused tremendous problems for firms and clients, accessing their online portals etc. Some of the firms affected were Premier Property Lawyers, DC Law, JS Law, My Home Law - probably a few more that I cannot think of.

I believe this is now largely dealt with, but presume there is now a back log of work to get through.