How long does this damn process take?!

Hayley_McKenna

Hi everyone...

Thought I would post - Im really frustrated about my house move

Me and my boyfriend are FTB's and put an offer on a house in the week of Feb :beer: ! The house seems fab and surveys were good. :j There has been no hold ups our end. There was only supposed to be three in the chain with the people at the top going into rented.

My problem is: We havn't changed contracts yet or got any idea when we will.

Last Friday (at 6:45pm - very nice and dedicated solicitor called me!!), we found out that there are now alot more than the orginal three as the people at the top of the chain have found somewhere to live.... in Blackpool! Anyway, this has obviously slowed things down and I antisipate that with their new house being some 170miles or so out of the area - things are likely to be slower than usual (hope im wrong!!)? The people who are moving to Blackpool have said that they are willing to go into rented as the blokes employer will pay.

Our solicitor only found out about the chain on Friday. Prior to that she had been saying that we had been ready to enchage for about a month (they have had our deposits and stuff for over a month). It just feels like we are never going to move.

Not sure why im posting really because I understand that noone can really speed things up but im getting so frustrated (as are the sellers above us) as we are all ready to go and I just want to put the final motions into place. I want to buy my new stuff (mainly all big stuff that I don't want delivered to where we currently live... Ive went spending on the little stuff because I am just so excited)!

Anyway think I've said enough. Just want encouragment really and maybe want to know that it wont be long now

Thanks

p.s. I guess I will continue to call solicitors daily (the receptionist knows it me now from my voice and I don't have to say who I am anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and continue to bug EA!

mchu6am4

You want to read this thread as it will give you a good idea at the sort of timescales you're looking at.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=410456

olive84

Hey, hope this makes you feel better, we are in the exact same position as you! The timescales are the same. Offer 1st week in Feb, been ready for about a month now. Top of the chain causing a massive delay, no one knows when we're going to exchange, getting sooo frustrated!

Anyway, no advice to offer, except hang on in there! Thats what I'm doing. I too have a stack of small stuff like cushions and stuff crammed into my rented flat, but what I really want to do is go and buy the big stuff. But I can't.

Good luck to you. Its horrible but it makes me feel better knowing someone out there is in the same position as me, hope it makes you feel better too.

Hayley_McKenna

Thanks both

Just reading your thread mchu6am4! Some of it is worrying me!!

Im so glad Im not the only one Olive. I think im being impatient but im really excited. Just want to spend!!!!!!! Lol not very money saving of me.

Anyway I'll get back to looking at Argos book (have £160 in necta points to spend / waste).

mchu6am4

£160 in nectar points??????????? you've not bought a new car from Ford, have you? Whatever it was, i hope nectar points wasn't the reason for shopping there rather than price/service.

Ash

olive84

Ah well...the only thing I'll add is that last Monday I told the EA that if we didn't have an exchange date by this Friday I would start looking at other flats (not pull out, just look). My (also really good) sol told me that would scare them into pushing it all forward, especially with HIPS soming in on 1st June, there would be loads of places on the market. However... no news as yet. I'll let you know if it works as a tactic. I fear not though. The problem I'm finding is that as an FTB the EAs don't really take you seriously.

Doozergirl

The *average* timescale is three months. You are both in chains which means I would expect to take at least that, honestly.

When you're FTB you think it's all pretty simple and it kind of is for you, because you've found your house. Other people have to find buyers and houses and then the people above them do and it goes on. Then, if the conveyancing throws up a problem, it delays everyone.

If it goes through smoothly then that's great, but you don't get to appreciate that solicitors are actually being paid to find problems!

I love selling to FTBs because it takes probably 6 weeks as I don't sell houses that come with problems attached. I've been in a chain twice; once it took 6 months and another it took 7 months and me to break the chain .

Calling your solicitor daily will only annoy them, tbh, it's not their fault that the conveyancing isn't finished.

Also, people always lie about going into rented accommodation. They say it flippantly to make people want to bite, which they do, but then pin all their hopes on it, when in fact, the intention was always to find another house to buy. I'd never believe someone that said that un;ess that was their genuine intention ie. "I am selling to rent"

The only thing to do is sit back, wait and call your solicitor and EA perhaps weekly for updates. Stamping your feet and making threats gets you nowhere. Professional don't really take FTBs seriously because they do have a habit of flouncing! Conveyancing takes as long as it takes; no more, no less and it's only ecperience that teaches you this.

That is exactly the reason that house buying is one of the most stressful things you can do; you have very little control. Only way to deal with it is to accept it

shafeeq

Hi

I am fed up also, and the delay is because of me (not my fault though) . My House Councill is buying because they are demolishing the road I live on, they are also giving me a loan to buy another property.

I found anouther property on Feb 13, my offer acccepted. The vendor ready to move out straight away, he is living in another city. So Survey done all ok.

Councill Solicitior taking time since then. Last Thursday found out my Solicitor made some mistakes in document. They got sorted out. Yesterday councill are ready to exchange contract today, so I assume things will go through. The vendor is really annoyed with me. He first give me a deadline of April 16th. Few days before his solicitor wrote to my Solicitior stating if not completed by April 16th the vendor wants 2k more. I refused.

Week or so later vendor backs down, now date is 4th May, this will be not met. I have been told it will be done by 11th May. I just hope contracts are exchanged today then I can move on and arrange other stuff, i.e removal, insurance, informing BT, broadband, energy and stuff.

I just hope vendor doesn't get annoyed now, since we will miss his deadling by a week.

I am fed up with EA phoning me. want a completion date, I can not give one until contract exchanged.

Shafeeq

djm1972

I'm in near enough the same position - instructions around mid February and I still haven't got the final contract pack from my Solicitor. Everything in place on my sale, so my first time buyers are getting impatient. They moved out of their last rental place at the end of feb and living with parents!!

As far as I know it is a matrimonial home charge holding up my purchase, no idea why it's taking so long though.

shafeeq

Hi
Kinda of good news on my part now. The Council agreed to exhange contract on Thursday 10th May and compelete Friday 11th. Not my Solicitor is trying to get the same dates from vendor's solicitor, exchanged on 10th and complete on 11th. From our side and council side is ready now waiting on vendors side.

Shafeeq

olive84

I laughed so much reading Doozergirls post! I have been flouncing around all over the place! New tactic, sit back, weekly phonecalls. Noted. I may add a few glasses of wine to that as well...