when do you sign the contract?

wendyl1967

My son is buying a house. He will be living back with us in the next couple of weeks.
When do you actually sign the contract?
We received an email late today but only read it after the solicitors shut.
His mortgage offer runs out on the 10th August.
We go away 30 July til the 12 August.
We were told on the 16 June it would take 6 - 8 weeks to complete from that day (there have been delays due to the house being unregistered all sorted now)
couple of questions to maybe save a sleepless night
Can the house sale complete while you are out of the country so long as the solicitors have the deposit? or do you need to sign the contracts that day?
Can you get a few days extension on a mortgage offer?
Has anyone got experience of this.
thank you

Rain_Shadow

You can physically sign the contracts days or week in advance. What matters is when the solicitors exchange contracts. they will do this when completion dates are agreed etc.

agrinnall

wendyl1967 wrote: »

My son is buying a house. He will be living back with us in the next couple of weeks.
When do you actually sign the contract?
We received an email late today but only read it after the solicitors shut.
His mortgage offer runs out on the 10th August.
We go away 30 July til the 12 August.
We were told on the 16 June it would take 6 - 8 weeks to complete from that day (there have been delays due to the house being unregistered all sorted now) 6-8 weeks is pretty good for England (most of my transactions except the most recent one have been in Scotland where 8 weeks would be a lot longer than normal) if it happens, mine took just over 11 weeks at this time last year.
couple of questions to maybe save a sleepless night
Can the house sale complete while you are out of the country so long as the solicitors have the deposit? Yes, and you may be able to transfer the deposit from overseas, although it's probably safer to do it before leaving or do you need to sign the contracts that day No, it can be done in advance, and often is?
Can you get a few days extension on a mortgage offer? Ask your mortgage provider.
Has anyone got experience of this.
thank you

See responses above.

kinger101

The solicitor will hold onto the contract until your son gives them authorization to exchange. They can exchange in his absence, but it's possible they'll want either a telephone or e-mail confirming your son still wants to exchange on the actual day. That is, an open-ended instruction to exchange may not be acceptable.

As long as the solicitor has funds, it doesn't matter where you are when it completes.