Next steps?

[FantaLemon17]

I'm a first time solo buyer and had an offer accepted on a house on the 18th July (yay!). No chain and house is vacant.

I instructed my solicitor the following day and sent back my ID, proof of address etc, also paid for searches.

My mortgage broker is going to submit the application on Monday as he's just waiting for my mum to sign and return the gifted deposit letter as she's away until tomorrow. Mum will also pop into solicitors office on Monday to complete the AML checks.

Survey is booked w/c 12th August (earliest slot available but my broker said to wait until I have the mortgage offer anyway). I think I've done all I can on my end so far.

I don't think my solicitor has received the draft contract yet. What happens after that? Searches? Will enquiries be sent after the searches are completed or at the same time and then additional enquiries when searches are returned?

Hoping to be in by end of September/beginning of October but I'm not sure if that's optimistic. I'm so excited but anxious at the same time. It feels like such a long process!

The solicitor can start the searches while they are waiting for the draft contract. It doesn't sound like their is anything else for you to do at this stage. The usual advice is to ask your solicitor for updates if you don't hear from them.

I am at a similar stage in the process, though I am selling one place and buying another. I would say mid to late October might be a more realistic timeline, assuming there are no issues. They say the average is about 12 weeks.

This website gives a good outline of the process https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/the-hoa-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-home/

3 months from offer to completion would be very fast, we've done it but only with a straightforward sale/purchase where both sides were committed to getting it done as soon as possible.

Realistically, you are probably better aiming for the end of October. Your solicitor and EA will guide you through the whole process.