The NEW waiting to exchange thread...

KRen2020

So after finally getting the mortgage approved, just found out our solicitors haven't even started their searches yet, although they had told us they had and we had paid for them doing.
Was hoping to be in by November but it's now looking like it's going to be beginning of next year as been told local searches can take up to 7 weeks!
Getting absolutely fed up with it all already!

FinallyStoppedLurking

Go back to them and see if a personal search is an option to speed up the process. Have they given you a reason why the searches were not started?

KRen2020

FinallyStoppedLurking said:

Go back to them and see if a personal search is an option to speed up the process. Have they given you a reason why the searches were not started?

They said they were waiting for some information re shared ownership of the house we are buying, this turned out to be an error that our broker has recently put right but there has been a lack of communication between our solicitors and the broker. 
I will mention that personal search to our solicitors to see if its am option. 
Best case they have told us is 2-3 weeks but worst case is 7 weeks 

shaunad93

KRen2020 said:

So after finally getting the mortgage approved, just found out our solicitors haven't even started their searches yet, although they had told us they had and we had paid for them doing.
Was hoping to be in by November but it's now looking like it's going to be beginning of next year as been told local searches can take up to 7 weeks!
Getting absolutely fed up with it all already!

This exact thing happened to me. Took my solicitors 4 weeks from me paying them to them requesting searches. It then seemed to be one thing after enough that delayed the process. My searches only took around 3 weeks though. It’ll be 14 weeks on Thursday and I’m hoping to complete Friday! 

badger09

Dant said:

So waiting to exchange and complete I have been informed today that our vendors have signed the contracts do they then get sent to us ? Also we haven’t signed ours for our buyers and I am on the phone constantly trying to get hold of our solicitor as we all want to complete end of next week 

No, their solicitor holds them. You sign an identical copy and your solicitor holds that copy.

Same happens in relation to the property you are selling.

When everyone agrees, & solicitors will check on the day provisionally agreed - usually by phone call  - each set of solicitors will 'Exchange contracts'.  That is the point deposit money changes hands and you're all legally bound to proceed -or face financial penalty.

WiseOwl00

I wrote on this forum a week ago that the vendors had pulled out of the house we were buying after 3 months. We have since found a bigger and better (+more expensive  ) house and had an offer accepted! It's already going much smoother - both solicitors have been instructed + we will be applying for our mortgage in the next week. It's a bit upsetting having to go through the exact same process again, and I'm constantly on edge that something bad will happen, but hopefully some progress will make me feel better. 

I was just wondering at what stage people opted to have their survey done? 

Rachel*

WiseOwl00 said:

I wrote on this forum a week ago that the vendors had pulled out of the house we were buying after 3 months. We have since found a bigger and better (+more expensive  ) house and had an offer accepted! It's already going much smoother - both solicitors have been instructed + we will be applying for our mortgage in the next week. It's a bit upsetting having to go through the exact same process again, and I'm constantly on edge that something bad will happen, but hopefully some progress will make me feel better. 

I was just wondering at what stage people opted to have their survey done? 

As a FTB I can’t give too much advice, but I waited until my mortgage offer was finalised and my solicitors searches were back (admittedly my solicitors were quick and they were back in just over 3 weeks) . However, having just arranged my survey, the average wait time is 4 weeks. Obviously this will vary per area but if you are in a rush then I would suggest at least contacting surveyors to see when they are available in case it is a longer wait. 

onyx911

Dant said:

So waiting to exchange and complete I have been informed today that our vendors have signed the contracts do they then get sent to us ? Also we haven’t signed ours for our buyers and I am on the phone constantly trying to get hold of our solicitor as we all want to complete end of next week 

It won’t get sent to you, no. You each sign your own copy then it gets sent to other solicitor on exchange. We are also hoping to exchange tomorrow for completion on 30th.

bearclaws

bearclaws said:

bearclaws said:

Another week waiting on seller’s solicitors to respond to enquiries! Ahhhhhhh. Everything else is sorted and the questions are so basic, just respond to them!!!

My solicitors have received answers and some documents from seller’s solicitors, going to review them “in due course”. Hoping that means today, and fingers crossed they’re okay and don’t need anything else. 13 weeks since my offer was made this week so hoping completion is just round the corner. 

Seller’s solicitors have asked to exchange and complete this Friday, my solicitors have requested the mortgage funds for Friday and are preparing their final report. Fingers crossed this is it and I may have my first house by the weekend...! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🎉

impatient2020

It’s been 2 weeks since any update at all from solicitor when we were asked if 30th Oct would work for completion. Thought after 10months we were finally in sight of moving..... 
2 weeks later silence again and solicitor told telling me today he hasn’t heard anything and will keep chasing. Looks like the 30th Oct will be a no go. 

We heard through estate agent it’s one last search that’s holding exchange up, over 3 weeks ago this was requested (although we initially were told these were requested 5 weeks ago!). 

How on Earth are people moving quickly at the moment? 

we have been good to go since May the second house in chain has been ready since early Aug and just waiting for the top house to catch up, as far as we know it’s an empty house. They have all refused to move to temp accommodation to let us move out of the chain as well. I’m out of ideas and guess I can do nothing but wait. But it’s still the most frustrating thing in the world as we are at the bottom of chain and seem to not being told anything.