It's an exchange question

[Buyingahouse2024]

Good luck to everyone and congratulations on those who have already moved!

I have a question in relation to the point of exchange. Myself and my partner are buying a house. My partner owns his current property so in the chain there's 4 properties involved. Our solicitors have kept us very informed regarding the purchase of our new property. Searches have been complete, further questions have been raised and the solicitor is just reviewing the seller's solicitors answers. From the house purchase side I'd say we're very close to exchanging, however unsure how the other houses in the chain are getting on (we were the last ones to join the chain so hopefully not far behind us). My question is when do the solicitors give an indication on when you might exchange?

thank you everyone!

When they are ready. The estate agent can be proactive and chase, you can speak to your vendor and ask, just keep checking.

Thank you! I might drop them an email mid next week just to see if they have any idea. I did ask before but got the very standard 'from offer to completion it takes on average 12 weeks'

In my experience whenever they get around to it. We exchanged on our last sale the day before, even though it was supposed to be 2 weeks prior to completion. Questions were being raised the day of exchange. Very stressful, especially for booking moving company organising.
I would just keep checking in with your solicitor to see if there are any noises about a potential date.

Thank you glad you got all sorted in the end though and hope you're loving your new home!

The reason I mainly want to know is that myself and my partner works shifts which includes me doing a week of nights mid April and we really need to find some time to pack but I don't want to be too premature with the packing either

You need to get the estate agent in the case and checking how everything is going.

I just emailed mine a date I wanted to complete. She asked the other solicitors and then one couldn't do that date but suggested an alternative.

Thanks guys! I'll get onto the solicitors next week hopefully not another generic response!

I’d just start now. It always takes ages!

Ask the EA selling your DH’s house and the EA selling your vendors house for a weekly update on the chain, and what processes are still outstanding.

Part of their job is progressing the sale , and they can speak to other party’s solo, which you cannot.