Seeing solicitor today - what should I expect?

Made_Without

After what seems like decades (3 months) my solicitor has received all information required from the seller's solicitors.

I am meeting my solicitor today to go through - but he wasnt able to send me the report earlier, so I dont really understand what we will go through today.

He has mentioned that I will need to sign the Contract, Mortgage Deed and the Stamp Duty Land Tax. He also wrote "After we have met we can then exchange contracts and arrange completion".

So... what does this all mean? How much longer am I potentially looking at til completion?

Having not seen his report in advance, are there any questions I should definitely ask today or things I should not do prior to having had a closer look at the report?

First time with all this buying malarky, so am a bit nervous.

Thanks
C*F

Richard_Webster

If your solicitor (as he should) gives you a written report about the legal aspects of the property you are buying then I would take it away and read it.

It is no big deal to sign the contract etc because merely signing doesn't legally commit you.

You can instruct your solicitor not to exchange contracts until you have told him you are happy to proceed. Then take the report home and read it through and read any copy documents he has supplied with it. Conveyancers like me are sending these reports out all the time so there is so much that is standard to us that may not be to you - so you need to ask about anything you are not sure about once you have read the report.

Feel free then to telephone him to ask about anything you don't understand. If you are happy with the report and don't have anything to ask then you can tell him to go ahead. If there are queries then normally he should be able to explain things on the phone unless they involve e,g, a detailed look at plans etc.

Patr100

How much longer? That could in theory be the same day or any period after that (usually around weeks so removal etc can arranged)
We can't answer that for you - depends on yours and your sellers circumstances and if Sol flags any queries. Talk to your solicitor. Ask questions. he/she won't bite.

Made_Without

thanks Richard.

I think he will probably give me the report today in our meeting. He has said he will go through in detail. So from what you've said above. I can sign today and still take it away and re-review and change mind (if absolutely necessary).

As a total guesstimate - how long from today should exchange and completion take?
I am all good to go - would just need to arrange transfers. The seller already has another place, but had a family member staying in the flat - just so that it wasn't vacant.

All I've been asked to do is take my passport along, I thought I would need to take other docs along.

Well I guess it will be clearer in half hour!

C*F

Made_Without

@Patr100

I know he wont bite and I'm not averse to asking questions either!!!
I just wanted to get a bit more of a sense of what the meeting would be like upfront from people who have more experience - with the full acknowledgment that it still may be totally different.

C*F

LandyAndy

Chocolate*fish wrote: »

As a total guesstimate - how long from today should exchange and completion take?
Well I guess it will be clearer in half hour!

C*F

We really really can't tell you;).

I could guess sometime between tomorrow and the end of the year but every transaction is different.

As you say, you probably know a lot more by now:rotfl:.

Made_Without

Lol. I do ... and I dont.

Just to start of my solicitor is fabulous! He has been incredibly thorough that's for sure. The delays have very much been from the otherside -especially the freehold managment agency providing info in dribs and drabs.

So the bad news - items picked up in the survey are not being covered by vendor / freeholder. I need to either

- suck up future costs
- walk away
- gets quotes and see if vendor will renegotiate

All fine - just wish i had known earlier rather than 3 months in.

C*F

LandyAndy

Chocolate*fish wrote: »

So the bad news - items picked up in the survey are not being covered by vendor / freeholder. I need to either

- suck up future costs
- walk away
- gets quotes and see if vendor will renegotiate

All fine - just wish i had known earlier rather than 3 months in.

C*F

Can you tell us what the items are?

Made_Without

LandyAndy wrote: »

Can you tell us what the items are?

Main Walls - "Off key, blown and missing sections of render to all elevations. Immediate repairs will be required to the render prior to damp penetration occurring.

Concerns re: bridging of damp proof course (dpc)- site should be lowered 150mm below level of of the damp proof course.
Dampness in left wall (under stairs) - possible when dpc was undertaken this areas was not -. Needs replastering (difficult due to electric metre).

Timber frame- To conservatory extension the windows have been set in timber frames. the windows are satisfactory although there is decay to the framework to the conservatory and immediate repairs will be required, any dead wood must be cut out and replaced with treated timber.

I'm trying to find local specialists - if anyone can recommend in Northwood / Middlesex - I would really appreciate it

C*F