In a small chain and no end in sight!

InhaleMood

Hi all,

I am in the process of selling a flat and buying a new house. The whole chain is just me, my buyer and my seller.


The offer I made was accepted 7 weeks ago, the offer I accepted was about 11 weeks ago.

When should I start worrying? I have chased the solicitors on a few occasions and they just fob me off saying they can't confirm any dates yet.


I know things can take a while, but I am wondering whether this is normal.....


Tanya

hazyjo

What's holding it up? Has your solicitor/the EA said?

If you're trying to play catch-up (I had similar timescales on my last transaction), don't chase too much on the sale!

Average is 12 weeks from offer to completion. Flats can often take a bit longer.

Wouldn't say it was 'fobbing you off' if they won't give dates yet. Would be stupid for them to give a date only to have to change it. Am sure they'll let you know when you're close to exchange so you can start talking dates.

Jx

InhaleMood

hazyjo wrote: »

What's holding it up? Has your solicitor/the EA said?

If you're trying to play catch-up (I had similar timescales on my last transaction), don't chase too much on the sale!

Average is 12 weeks from offer to completion. Flats can often take a bit longer.

Wouldn't say it was 'fobbing you off' if they won't give dates yet. Would be stupid for them to give a date only to have to change it. Am sure they'll let you know when you're close to exchange so you can start talking dates.

Jx

Thanks Hazyjo. I guess I meant they are fobbing me off when I ask what we are waiting for. They just say "answers to our enquiries".


If this is normal then I don't mind, but as this is the first time in a chain, I'm a little clueless!


Thanks again!

hazyjo

Doubt they're fobbing you off. But you might ask what the queries or, or start chasing every couple of days to see if they've heard anything. If not, maybe ask if they want you to speak with the EA to ask their client what the hold-up is.

Trouble is, solicitors do like to do things by letter. It's a right PITA as it can take a week just to answer one piddly question sometimes if there's a query on it. eg your solicitors may send a letter to the other solicitor/s, they will probably then send a letter to their client, the client may choose to send a letter back, then the solicitor will write to your solicitor, who will then write to you... jeez, it's painful sometimes, it really is. Tried to get mine to use email but a lot of letters still turned up. I suppose they need written copies of things.

Jx

MorMac

For what it's worth, mine has been taking much longer than I'd hoped too. My buyer doesn't have anywhere to sell, my vendor is happy to move into rented accommodation, I'm at that age when my mortgage has been paid off. I thought it would be relatively easy.


As far as I'm aware we've all responded to everything as quickly as possible, but the professionals have been slow at times, been on holiday etc. Now both my buyers and vendors have signed the contracts and it turns out I'M the hold up.


My ex has been very slow to respond to letters (though he's no longer on the deeds). Though he has now signed everything relating to the charge on the property, I'm waiting for him to clear his vast volume of crap from the attic. A removal guy came round a couple of days ago to see if they could clear it and put it in storage, but hasn't reported back yet.


Because my two children are over 18 and are at university, they have to sign the contract too. My daughter signed it as soon as she got it, but forgot to post it on to my son for three days - aaargh! Fingers crossed it'll be back from him tomorrow.


I'm feeling anxious, frustrated and guilty. I've really tried to get things moving as fast as possible but have been thwarted. I desperately hoping my buyers don't get fed up enough to pull out.

InhaleMood

So, I have just managed to find out what the hold up is on the purchase. Apparently, the owner's ex, who is now deceased, put a restriction on the property transfer when he evicted her. They are trying to get it lifted but, in the owners words: "as she is dead, it's proving difficult!"I have passed this info on to my solicitor and am waiting to hear back.
Does this sound like something to be worried about?