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Original poster

Can someone explain “upfront searches” to me?

11 replies

Pegs11 · 07/09/2022 15:02

Hi, I accepted an offer on my house a couple of months ago and after a lot of back-and-forth regarding the mortgage valuation, I just got an update from my estate agent who said the buyer is now ready to begin the conveyancing. Initially I was told to expect long delays with this (up to five months!), but when I spoke to her just now she said the buyer will be “paying for upfront searches, so that should save a lot of time”. I have no idea what she means and she didn’t really explain it. Can anyone shed light? Thank you 😊

OP posts:
knickersniff · 07/09/2022 18:33

In short she's paying a fee to fast track it .

Original poster
Pegs11 · 08/09/2022 22:35

I didn’t even know that was a thing!

OP posts:
Frecklespy · 09/09/2022 00:11

It means the buyer is spending money by paying for and getting searches ordered, before receipt of the draft contract pack. Usually solicitors wait for the contract pack first, which contains the title documents, before they order the searches. So it may save some time if the searches are back earlier than normal, but there is a certain risk that the buyer is spending money before the transaction gets underway.

Original poster
Pegs11 · 10/09/2022 10:08

Thank you for clarifying that. Do you know how long this can shave off the process?

OP posts:
Frecklespy · 10/09/2022 13:45

EAs tend to think searches take so long that if they are one of the first things to sort out, then potentially you could have a quicker process.

However searches are just one part of the process - there are many other parts and any problems or issues in another part of the transaction will hold it up.

If the transaction is complex, it may take 4 months or more to reach exchange and therefore searches can be ordered and received at any point during the 4 months to still be ready at the same time as everything else.

FlyingDuster · 10/09/2022 15:11

I recently paid for searches on a property. They took just over 2 weeks to come back (or more accurately 15 working days). But I think it varies from area to area depending on backlog. I guess every new search just joins the back of the queue. Cost about £500 I think, maybe less? But I didn't know about upfront searches? Or perhaps that's what I had?

Can someone explain “upfront searches” to me?
Original poster
Pegs11 · 11/09/2022 15:02

Thanks for the responses/explanation. Hopefully our conveyancing won’t be too complex as there is no chain at either end… fingers crossed 🤞

OP posts:
FlyingDuster · 11/09/2022 16:13

Pegs11 · 11/09/2022 15:02

Thanks for the responses/explanation. Hopefully our conveyancing won’t be too complex as there is no chain at either end… fingers crossed 🤞

Are you having a survey?

Original poster
Pegs11 · 11/09/2022 17:30

@FlyingDuster i believe our buyer is not getting a survey. So it’s just the title deeds, searches and contract that remain to be done.

OP posts:
FlyingDuster · 11/09/2022 17:32

Pegs11 · 11/09/2022 17:30

@FlyingDuster i believe our buyer is not getting a survey. So it’s just the title deeds, searches and contract that remain to be done.

Sorry, I didn't realise you were the seller. I'd forgotten since I red your OP yesterday 😊

Original poster
Pegs11 · 11/09/2022 18:39

@FlyingDuster no problem 😉

OP posts:
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