Will this be the exchange contracts stage?

Jones80

Hi,

We are theoretically nearing the end of our first house purchase. The solicitor has had all the checks back.

We have had a letter, asking for us to book a 1 hour appointment to sign some documents.

Will this be classed as the exchange of contracts stage? The letter did not say what it was for exactly.

They have not asked for any money yet, which reading online guides, they would usually do before this (deposit)?

Thanks

BritishBibliophile

The meeting will be so they can go through the paperwork with you, including telling you what queries were raised and how many answers they've received (i.e. if there's anything on the property information form like an insurance claim or doesn't mention the current gas/electric supplier, they may raise queries asking for more information).

As part of this they will tell you how many more weeks they think it will take, and if there are any dates within that time that you prefer to avoid for exchange or completion (i.e. if you'll be out of the country or away from home and not easily contactable), they might also know if your vendors have already said specific days they don't want/cannot do.

They will ask for the deposit money before exchange, ours sent our "completion statement" before exchange so we sent our deposit money, the extra money we were paying (paid 10% deposit but had 15% of what we were paying for the house) and our legal and tax fees. Some solicitors may just ask for your deposit and send the completion statement closer to completion day itself.

Good luck!

Jones80

Ah ok, thank you.

At least I'm now not turning up with zero idea