FTB question: When exactly must deposit be in hand?

bluedrop

Budget on paper. Deposit, mortgage costs (mortgage fee etc - this can be added to the mortgage sometimes), Valuation/survey costs, Solicitor fees, searches, stamp duty, initial cleaning costs and moving costs.

You need account for survey x2 (just to be on the safe side)

Once you have all this on paper and you are STILL left with a min £1.5k contingency money, you are ready to go.

My house purchase took (is taking) a little over 2 months from offer accepted to completion. This is with no chain on either sides and me chasing everyone on daily basis.

In a more relaxed situation, you are probably looking at 2.5 months if there is no chain.

I would suggest you start viewing properties. If your "must have" s list is as long as mine, you will not find something straight away. Keep looking. if you find something straight away, offer and tell the vendor you cannot exchange before 2 months....

Your first step will be getting an AIP from the bank. DONT give this to the EA. If they insist, say your solicitor will confirm after the offer has been accepted.