offer acepted 5 weeks ago and no one has done anything

Kimberley82

is this normal?

The broker said the first lot of searches had been done, the solicitor said they hadnt, we paid for them 4 weeks ago.

The estate agent said the contract had been sent to the solicitor 3 weeks ago, solicitor only got it today.

Everyone is saying different stuff to us.

We are first time buyers, the mortgage is sorted. I cant even start packing as we cant get the boxes until we can give the movers a date as they dont know it they are free, and its a package deal where the boxes come with the price.

Im starting to feel like it is just never going to happen and its really getting me down, 2 different friends had offers accepted aftr us and have moving dates already.a

devotee

Did you appoint solicitor yourself?
Did you have mortgage valuation survey and did you receive the mortgage offer? I think once this has been done, the broker's job becomes obsolete so your main point of contact should be your solicitor and EA.
Get your solicitor's direct email address and pester daily. Call your EA as they are your intermediate. Searches are usually quick and can be emailed to you.
Once your solicitor gets the contract they should sent it to you to have a look. Have you done your own survey?
Once the contract is approved by your then your solicitor can be ready to exchange and you can get your completion date.

hazyjo

Average purchase still takes around 12 weeks - more for flats usually. Obviously this means some could take say 4 weeks, others 20! Took us 5 months - and our buyer had initially wanted to exchange within 3 weeks! We'd moved like lightning early on, but there were a few probs with our purchase. Grrrrr.

Keep chasing, keep on top of things, get answers to direct questions, and try not to stress (haha I know).

Definitely don't be tempted to pack anything 'til you've exchanged.

Jx

somnus

We're exactly the same. We're first time buyer's and we had our offer accepted 5 weeks ago on a property with no chain (nobody living in it either). We expected things to go quickly so had our mortgage and valuation done within the first week. Homebuyer's survey on the first day of the 2nd week. We keep calling the EA to pester the vendor but we have heard nothing - not even 'they've been on holiday', the draft contract is under way. Nothing. Can't understand why nothing has moved when there is no chain!

Totally sympathise with you!

Kimberley82

devotee wrote: »

Did you appoint solicitor yourself?

We were recommended by the broker

Did you have mortgage valuation survey and did you receive the mortgage offer?

Yes that was done very quickly

I think once this has been done, the broker's job becomes obsolete so your main point of contact should be your solicitor and EA.

He still rings and gives updates, the only one that does

Get your solicitor's direct email address and pester daily. Call your EA as they are your intermediate. Searches are usually quick and can be emailed to you.

I have his email and phone number, I am now planning daily


Once your solicitor gets the contract they should sent it to you to have a look. Have you done your own survey?

No we weren't planning to

Once the contract is approved by your then your solicitor can be ready to exchange and you can get your completion date.

Thanks, I am just feeling frustrated as I feel they are not being straight with me.

Kimberley82

hazyjo wrote: »

Average purchase still takes around 12 weeks - more for flats usually. Obviously this means some could take say 4 weeks, others 20! Took us 5 months - and our buyer had initially wanted to exchange within 3 weeks! We'd moved like lightning early on, but there were a few probs with our purchase. Grrrrr.

Keep chasing, keep on top of things, get answers to direct questions, and try not to stress (haha I know).

Definitely don't be tempted to pack anything 'til you've exchanged.

Jx

I was told once we exchanged then it would be very quick from there so I wouldnt have time to pack, its also frustrating not knowing when as we will need to book time off work but we both need to give notice.

devotee

No other word of advise apart from pester the solicitor. Good luck!

john_white

If not being able to pack is stressing you out, then get on ebay and buy some boxes, there's no point getting stressed over £25!I know it's money you shouldn't have to spend, but if it keeps you sane ...

When you exchange you have to agree a date so it's not like it will be the day after, before you exchange quickly check with the movers. And remember most offer a packing service, this normally happens the day before moving so again worst case is you pay them to do it then, maybe a couple of hundred quid. Honestly I wish I had used a apcking service, not living out of boxes for a month is worth it alone!

The_Palmist

EA will say anything to get you off the phone. Solicitor should keep you up to date. I am not sure about the protocol if you are using a broker, do you have to go through the broker to contact solicitor ? If not, keep pestering the Solicitor.

Kimberley82

The_Palmist wrote: »

EA will say anything to get you off the phone. Solicitor should keep you up to date. I am not sure about the protocol if you are using a broker, do you have to go through the broker to contact solicitor ? If not, keep pestering the Solicitor.

No I dont but he is the only one ringing me with updates no one else seems to bother.

hazyjo

Kimberley82 wrote: »

I was told once we exchanged then it would be very quick from there so I wouldnt have time to pack, its also frustrating not knowing when as we will need to book time off work but we both need to give notice.

The completion date will be fixed on exchange. That will be down to you and anyone else in the chain. The average time between exchange and completion these days is around two weeks. You can do both on the same day, but it's not advisable (I've done it - it's hell!).

Even if you just agree a week, that should be long enough. I think we had just under two weeks between dates. Remember to check your removal co are free once you start discussing dates. Fridays still tend to be busiest.

Jx