searches back - how long to exchange?

snowmaid

I have been on the solicitor's website and see that the searches are back and reviewed. The next step appears to be contracts exchanged. How long from now does this usually happen? Straightforward sale, no chains on either side.

krispy444

It depends really, have you got your mortgage offer, are there any special conditions in it that the solicitor has to deal with. Has the solicitor received replies to all their enquiries raised on the property? If they have and everything is ok with the mortgage and you have given your deposit, then it shouldn't be too long before they will exchange. Hope this helps

roosterbean

I'm pretty much at the same stage, searches are expected back next week and have been told that progress depends on if there are any additional enquiries arising from these.

Can someone tell me what sort of questions are "additional enquiries" please?

krispy444

Solicitors will raise enquiries on a property, these are sometimes standard enquiries. However when they receive the searches back they may then raise specific enquiries as to the results of the searches like if there is a tree preservation order then they will need more information relating to the said tree. Saying that sometimes there are no need to raise any further enquiries because the searches are fine.

bobbie78

Hi, I'm at the same point got my mortgage offer on monday (solicitor just waiting for paper work to come through). Searches were finished last week, they sent an enquiry about checking for building regulations for a converted garage and that came back today. My solicitor is going to call once all the paper work is in and arrange to get me in to sign it all next week. I think it also depends on when the people you are buying from will be ready to move out and when they want things done as to when all the dates match up, also if you are in a chain it will involve matching up dates with a lot more people.

roosterbean

Sorry for being a little dense - but what sort of questions are asked in the standard enquiries?

krispy444

This depends on the solicitor. Some solicitors raise standard enquiries as a matter of course and then raise specific ones later, others will read all the documentation and raise specific enquiries. The type of things that could be in standard enquiries is like has the property ever flooded, suffered from subsidence, has it got a burglar alarm, have any alterations been made to the property etc etc the list can be quite long, depending on solicitor. Hope this helps. By the way some solicitors give you a copy of the enquiries raised and the replies given, ask them for a copy you are entitled to know.