How long does written acceptance of offer take?

doctor40

Hi, I am in the process of buying my first house and put in an offer on fixed price property 12 days ago. It was accepted the following day, but my solicitor is waiting on a written acceptance from the sellers solicitor.
I had a mortgage in principle, however that's now been agreed and the offer documents are with me and with my sellers solicitor.
I wondered how long a written acceptance takes to come through? Am I just being impatient?

When I put the offer in the verbal agreement was with a hoped for completion date 18 April (that came from the seller not me).

Thrugelmir

Nothing will happen until a formal mortgage offer is in place.

Chill out. The process has only just started.

cattie

Is this in England or Scotland?

Usually when I've bought or sold, the ea gets a letter written straight away & sent to both solicitors acting for the parties & also a letter to vendor & buyer stating offer & the acceptance of it.

doctor40

Hi, thanks, the property is in Scotland. I did wonder if it wasn't happening until I had my mortgage in place, which it now is.

davidmcn

You'd normally have the qualified acceptance by now. My best guess would be that the sellers are trying to tie up their own purchase / mortgage first, before committing themselves to the date of entry. Your solicitor should be able to get some sort of reason out of them.

doctor40

Thanks David. To be fair my mortgage documents came through at the start of last week, and my solicitor said she would let the sellers solicitor know I now had the mortgage offer. Do you think that would have stopped them from issuing a written acceptance before that?

The sellers have already moved into their new place, so the house is empty and it seems they have sorted everything in regards to their own situation, so I don't think that was the cause for delay.

davidmcn

doctor40 wrote: »

my mortgage documents came through at the start of last week, and my solicitor said she would let the sellers solicitor know I now had the mortgage offer. Do you think that would have stopped them from issuing a written acceptance before that?

Not usually, generally sellers will want to get the acceptance back to you as soon as possible and then badger you to conclude a contract. Maybe just dozy sellers/solicitor or it's been overlooked for some reason, I expect your solicitor will get the answer.