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Original poster

When do you instruct solicitor?

12 replies

Beach1983 · 06/05/2022 19:59

We’ve sold, been a month and not found anywhere yet. Reluctant to instruct a solicitor until we’ve found anywhere to buy as don’t want to incur costs if we can’t find somewhere to buy.

Is it likely estate agent will push for us to instruct one before we have an offer accepted on a property so that our buyers can get started on their searches etc?

Feel like there is nothing out there atm?!

OP posts:

DomusAurea · 06/05/2022 20:16

If you have sold for a month you should instruct a solicitor. You risk losing your buyer.

Bodgejobvendors · 06/05/2022 20:24

Did you not have to name a solicitor when you agreed the memorandum of sale?

tokyotea · 06/05/2022 21:47

We are buying and if the vendors hadn't instructed a solicitor for as long as that, we would have pulled out. Suprised your buyers haven't been chasing for this?

pixie5121 · 07/05/2022 00:49

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request.

Minimalme · 07/05/2022 08:11

Unless you absolutely have to move for work etc, I would stay put.

So many people are struggling to find their onward purchase and have sold up and moved into rented while they wait.

A rising market with a shortage of houses and looming interest rate rises is a stressful time to move unless you absolutely have to.

DomusAurea · 07/05/2022 18:54

Minimalme · 07/05/2022 08:11

Unless you absolutely have to move for work etc, I would stay put.

So many people are struggling to find their onward purchase and have sold up and moved into rented while they wait.

A rising market with a shortage of houses and looming interest rate rises is a stressful time to move unless you absolutely have to.

Look, this person has sold their home and they have got into an agreement to move. If they are unsure they should either pull out now and stop wasting everyone's time.

pixie5121 · 07/05/2022 19:28

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request.

Kyrae · 07/05/2022 19:53

It took us over 6 weeks to find a house, and our estate agent advised us and our buyer not to instruct solicitors until the chain was complete otherwise it starts running up costs, and you risk losing them if you can't find an onward purchase. :)

Bodgejobvendors · 07/05/2022 20:09

Kyrae · 07/05/2022 19:53

I’m very surprised by that, our vendor’s agents wanted to know our solicitors straight away and started pushing for updates on the mortgage offer and searches before our vendor had an offer accepted themselves.

I can see why. It makes it much harder for people to be tempted to walk away if they’ve already had to put down some form of commitment.

Original poster

Beach1983 · 07/05/2022 20:37

Woahhhh! I didn’t say I don’t want to move or have not having any intention of moving, but as we all know there isn’t a lot out there at the moment or each property has lot of interest (we’ve already missed out on a few to cash buyers).

obviously our buyers are only going to wait a certain amount of time so it was a genuine question to save us both money incase they get bored of waiting for us to find somewhere.

wish I’d never asked 🤣

OP posts:

Original poster

Beach1983 · 07/05/2022 20:38

Kyrae Thankyou! This makes sense to me! My estate agent hasn’t put any pressure on us yet to instruct a solicitor either.

OP posts:

WonkyWheelbarrow · 07/05/2022 20:44

We're currently waiting at the bottom of the chain in this situation and our vendor hasn't instructed yet, and won't until they've found a purchase and the chain is complete... but this was made clear to us when we put the offer in. Maybe just check in with the EA and your buyers to see if they're aware or itching to get on?

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