UPDATE: Your Timescales from Instruction to Completion (If you've been lucky enough)?

worrypants

Viewed nov 23rd ( this was last year 2006) but neither of us working on this day so had to fnd a job as small mortgage required and hadnt even applied for anything. Called local supermarket on speck and got job with immediate start as a shelf stacker then left the job 2 days after mortgage completed:rotfl: instructed solicitor 26 th nov and told them to get on with it paid search fees same day in cash so no waiting for cheques clearance and also did CHAPS payment for deposit same day( we knew we would have no problems at all with getting a mortgage or with any survey issues)
I also contacted sellers solicitor direct:eek: and made it clear we would not proceed unless draft contract issued immediately to our sols

applied for halifax mortgage also on 26 th November and made it clear if they did not run to our timescales we would go elsewhere

survey done within 48 hours and mortgage offer with us 48 hours after that!
I contacted Halifax and stated we would lose property if we didnt get offer immediately I also contacted the local authority and did the same ( they were great and agreed to put it as priority)

Exchanged 12 th December

I am a very very seasoned buyer/seller and was previuosly married to a solicitor so have some idea of conveyancing process

I have no qualms about contacting local councils to chase searches and I have been known to chase searches for every house in a chain ( I dig dig dig for info and bluff it , when they ask is the search is the search for you or are you the seller I cross my fingers and sat its my search ) I have never had an LA yet refuse to help me , I fall over myslef with thanks etc etc etc

I have also gone down and up chains to solicitors and choose my words carefully eg I know you shouldnt speak to me but.... can you just confrim clinet A has paid deposit to client B in cleared funds as im going to lose my dream home blah blah and most will tell you.

I can never understand folk who complain about timescales and then dont demand that their solicitors and lenders,brokers dont follow the timescales that you want:rolleyes: you are paying them remember!

I appreciate that if you are sub prime etc it ant so easy but for anyone with a decent deposit and excellent credit record then remember him that pays the piper calls the tune

Also on the day you make the offer, makesure you instruct your solictor and pay serach fees in cleared funds and request searches are sent for that day and contact the local council next day and make dam sure they have got them and make your full mortgage application that day and make sure you have all the evidence that day
if everyone did this the process would be reduced by weeks and weeks and weeks!
I would also add that during my 14 purchases and sales I have always gone into rented inbetween ( or holiday cottages for a few weeks ) this way i can sell chain free and buy chain free( distint advantage for my buyers and for me as a buyer)
Always be prepared to meet the needs of your buyer.
Good luck all
ps i am currently selling two houses you would not believe the stress levels or maybe you would:D and then thats it for me Im buying abroad as I can take absolutley no more of the UK buying and selling process!!!!!!

Libra1975

From offer to completion 7 weeks however it could have been 5 if the vendors solicitor hadn't been so slow (it took him 4 weeks to get the documents over to my solicitor). We are FTBs and there was no chain. My lawyer was fantastic and the vendor EA was also very helpful.

blonde_one

We accepted an offer on 23rd June 2007, put an offer in for next property 26th June 2007. Exchanged on 29th October (had wanted to move by beginning of October!). Awaiting completion for 5th December. Still awaiting for documents to come thru so that my buyers don't keep a retention for something that was due over a month ago. Is it normal to have to chase solicitors to do their jobs?