The NEW waiting to exchange thread...

badger09

Fionaanne141 said:

Im in a chain of three properties (FTB to my buyer to me and then my sellers). We’re close to exchange and completion bar a couple of outstanding enquiries. The EA at top of the chain is suggesting a completion date of 12th Feb and asked me to check down the chain if they are all okay with that. I’m now not sure what to do if they all say yes , do we each simply inform our solicitors and hope they work to that date? Is it almost meaningless? Should I booked removals for the 12th if everyone in chain says yes or wait until my solictor confirms with their solictors? 

I’ve been waiting so long to hear a date for completion I guess I’m now not sure how and when I take it seriously 😂

It is far easier for the EAs t check up & down the chain re suggested Completion dates. Once agreed in principle, each part of the chain tells their solicitor that is the date to aim for. Obviously, things can happen & dates change, so don’t book removals until you’re much closer. No harm getting quotes & asking about availability though, as many removal companies are really busy. 

Fionaanne141

badger09 said:

Fionaanne141 said:

Im in a chain of three properties (FTB to my buyer to me and then my sellers). We’re close to exchange and completion bar a couple of outstanding enquiries. The EA at top of the chain is suggesting a completion date of 12th Feb and asked me to check down the chain if they are all okay with that. I’m now not sure what to do if they all say yes , do we each simply inform our solicitors and hope they work to that date? Is it almost meaningless? Should I booked removals for the 12th if everyone in chain says yes or wait until my solictor confirms with their solictors? 

I’ve been waiting so long to hear a date for completion I guess I’m now not sure how and when I take it seriously 😂

It is far easier for the EAs t check up & down the chain re suggested Completion dates. Once agreed in principle, each part of the chain tells their solicitor that is the date to aim for. Obviously, things can happen & dates change, so don’t book removals until you’re much closer. No harm getting quotes & asking about availability though, as many removal companies are really busy. 

Fab!! Thank you. That makes sense and I’ve had a quote already. Thankfully they are a small local firm and only want £100 deposit so I won’t lose out too much if once I decide to book it things change. 

It’s such a weird feeling. You desperately want the process to move quicker and then when it does you have a slight moment of panic 😂

Drawingaline

Fionaanne141 said:

badger09 said:

Fionaanne141 said:

Im in a chain of three properties (FTB to my buyer to me and then my sellers). We’re close to exchange and completion bar a couple of outstanding enquiries. The EA at top of the chain is suggesting a completion date of 12th Feb and asked me to check down the chain if they are all okay with that. I’m now not sure what to do if they all say yes , do we each simply inform our solicitors and hope they work to that date? Is it almost meaningless? Should I booked removals for the 12th if everyone in chain says yes or wait until my solictor confirms with their solictors? 

I’ve been waiting so long to hear a date for completion I guess I’m now not sure how and when I take it seriously 😂

It is far easier for the EAs t check up & down the chain re suggested Completion dates. Once agreed in principle, each part of the chain tells their solicitor that is the date to aim for. Obviously, things can happen & dates change, so don’t book removals until you’re much closer. No harm getting quotes & asking about availability though, as many removal companies are really busy. 

Fab!! Thank you. That makes sense and I’ve had a quote already. Thankfully they are a small local firm and only want £100 deposit so I won’t lose out too much if once I decide to book it things change. 

It’s such a weird feeling. You desperately want the process to move quicker and then when it does you have a slight moment of panic 😂

You are lucky, we had to book removals on 21st Dec, for a completion date of 27th Jan and we only managed to secure the last van then!!! 

Drawingaline

So we have managed to exchange today 😁😁😁🎉🎉🎉

Drawingaline

Our timeline is the following

08/07 viewed a house after chatting to an agent about marketing ours. It wasn't live until the following day.
09/07 offered full asking price with a view to getting ours on the market with the same agent asap. Vendors agreed and we're happy to give us 14days to get a sale. 
15/07 our house goes on the market. Viewings booked in for the next few days.
21/07 two offers on the table, choose one.
23/07 solicitors instructed, chain complete as vendors moving abroad asap.
28/07 full mortgage offer put in.
12/08 mortgage valuation done.
31/08 panic when it is discovered that while our sale is flying forward with enquiries raised our purchase hasn't sent the contract pack.
07/09 mortgage offer received.
11/09 searches underway, contract pack received, solicitor does loads in one day to make up for dropping the ball in chasing vendors solicitor and then promptly for on holiday.
21/09 all searches back and enquiries underway.
27/09 solicitor sends loads of documents to us to look through, and all replies to enquiries. Only waiting on three more. All looking promising for Oct completion.
28/09 weird message from EA about booking mortgage valuation for our buyer, who had had one in August!
05/10 valuation carried out. They were buy to let investors and didn't like the interest rate offered on previous offer.
October.:nothing happens. All conveyancing is complete ready to exchange and then buyer pulls out over financing. 😡
Nov: house remarketed, 10 viewings booked in 24hrs!!! 
10/11 new offer accepted, first time buyer. She instructs solicitors and sort mortgage in record time.
Then......nothing. her solicitors refuse to do anything until final search received on 21st Dec, but go on holiday for Xmas on the 18th 🤦 we tell them we have to complete on 27th Jan due to our expiring offer. Vendor has stick with us through all this and have already left the country and cleared the house.
04/01 buyers solicitors raise enquiries. All turned round and back with them by 07/01
12/01 get our boiler serviced for them. 
13/01 three new enquiries raised, answered in 24hrs. 
18/01 buyers solicitors review file, waiting on an ok from our solicitors on an indemnity we are happy to pay for. Our solicitor who has been amazing the past two weeks goes AWOL all of Monday and part of Tuesday. We view house we last saw in July to check still all ok for exchange. No ceilings fallen through etc.
19/01 desperately trying to contact solicitor as everyone ready to exchange for completion on 27th. Paid full fee to removal company and arrange delivery of box's. She finally responds, policy agreed with, everyone happy to exchange 20/01
20/01 after little sleep, and a nerve racking morning I ring solicitor at 2ish. She calls back at 3.30 can't get in touch with buyers solicitors 🤷🤦 email EA who has been amazing at speaking to them to see if he can chase.
4pm solicitor rings back, has spoken to buyers solicitors who can't exchange as only one party has agreed to it and need permission from both (mother and daughter buying rather than spouses, must have made a difference) but all mortgage funds requested so worse case can still exchange tomorrow for completion on 27th.
4.50pm solicitor calls. WE HAVE EXCHANGED 🎉🎉🎉🎉 


As a side not 6pm discover a leak in upstairs bathroom. Not gushing, but enough to notice 🤷🤷🤷🤦🤦🤦 emergency plumber booked for tomorrow. Honestly!!!! 😱😱😱 

But we are moving on the 27th January 😁

Kelb93

Drawingaline said:

Our timeline is the following 

08/07 viewed a house after chatting to an agent about marketing ours. It wasn't live until the following day.
09/07 offered full asking price with a view to getting ours on the market with the same agent asap. Vendors agreed and we're happy to give us 14days to get a sale. 
15/07 our house goes on the market. Viewings booked in for the next few days.
21/07 two offers on the table, choose one.
23/07 solicitors instructed, chain complete as vendors moving abroad asap.
28/07 full mortgage offer put in.
12/08 mortgage valuation done.
31/08 panic when it is discovered that while our sale is flying forward with enquiries raised our purchase hasn't sent the contract pack.
07/09 mortgage offer received.
11/09 searches underway, contract pack received, solicitor does loads in one day to make up for dropping the ball in chasing vendors solicitor and then promptly for on holiday.
21/09 all searches back and enquiries underway.
27/09 solicitor sends loads of documents to us to look through, and all replies to enquiries. Only waiting on three more. All looking promising for Oct completion.
28/09 weird message from EA about booking mortgage valuation for our buyer, who had had one in August!
05/10 valuation carried out. They were buy to let investors and didn't like the interest rate offered on previous offer.
October.:nothing happens. All conveyancing is complete ready to exchange and then buyer pulls out over financing. 😡
Nov: house remarketed, 10 viewings booked in 24hrs!!! 
10/11 new offer accepted, first time buyer. She instructs solicitors and sort mortgage in record time.
Then......nothing. her solicitors refuse to do anything until final search received on 21st Dec, but go on holiday for Xmas on the 18th 🤦 we tell them we have to complete on 27th Jan due to our expiring offer. Vendor has stick with us through all this and have already left the country and cleared the house.
04/01 buyers solicitors raise enquiries. All turned round and back with them by 07/01
12/01 get our boiler serviced for them. 
13/01 three new enquiries raised, answered in 24hrs. 
18/01 buyers solicitors review file, waiting on an ok from our solicitors on an indemnity we are happy to pay for. Our solicitor who has been amazing the past two weeks goes AWOL all of Monday and part of Tuesday. We view house we last saw in July to check still all ok for exchange. No ceilings fallen through etc.
19/01 desperately trying to contact solicitor as everyone ready to exchange for completion on 27th. Paid full fee to removal company and arrange delivery of box's. She finally responds, policy agreed with, everyone happy to exchange 20/01
20/01 after little sleep, and a nerve racking morning I ring solicitor at 2ish. She calls back at 3.30 can't get in touch with buyers solicitors 🤷🤦 email EA who has been amazing at speaking to them to see if he can chase.
4pm solicitor rings back, has spoken to buyers solicitors who can't exchange as only one party has agreed to it and need permission from both (mother and daughter buying rather than spouses, must have made a difference) but all mortgage funds requested so worse case can still exchange tomorrow for completion on 27th.
4.50pm solicitor calls. WE HAVE EXCHANGED 🎉🎉🎉🎉 


As a side not 6pm discover a leak in upstairs bathroom. Not gushing, but enough to notice 🤷🤷🤷🤦🤦🤦 emergency plumber booked for tomorrow. Honestly!!!! 😱😱😱 

But we are moving on the 27th January 😁

Congratulations! So pleased you’ve finally been able to exchange. Hope everything goes well with the move ☺️

Peppermint90

Drawingaline said:

Our timeline is the following

08/07 viewed a house after chatting to an agent about marketing ours. It wasn't live until the following day.
09/07 offered full asking price with a view to getting ours on the market with the same agent asap. Vendors agreed and we're happy to give us 14days to get a sale. 
15/07 our house goes on the market. Viewings booked in for the next few days.
21/07 two offers on the table, choose one.
23/07 solicitors instructed, chain complete as vendors moving abroad asap.
28/07 full mortgage offer put in.
12/08 mortgage valuation done.
31/08 panic when it is discovered that while our sale is flying forward with enquiries raised our purchase hasn't sent the contract pack.
07/09 mortgage offer received.
11/09 searches underway, contract pack received, solicitor does loads in one day to make up for dropping the ball in chasing vendors solicitor and then promptly for on holiday.
21/09 all searches back and enquiries underway.
27/09 solicitor sends loads of documents to us to look through, and all replies to enquiries. Only waiting on three more. All looking promising for Oct completion.
28/09 weird message from EA about booking mortgage valuation for our buyer, who had had one in August!
05/10 valuation carried out. They were buy to let investors and didn't like the interest rate offered on previous offer.
October.:nothing happens. All conveyancing is complete ready to exchange and then buyer pulls out over financing. 😡
Nov: house remarketed, 10 viewings booked in 24hrs!!! 
10/11 new offer accepted, first time buyer. She instructs solicitors and sort mortgage in record time.
Then......nothing. her solicitors refuse to do anything until final search received on 21st Dec, but go on holiday for Xmas on the 18th 🤦 we tell them we have to complete on 27th Jan due to our expiring offer. Vendor has stick with us through all this and have already left the country and cleared the house.
04/01 buyers solicitors raise enquiries. All turned round and back with them by 07/01
12/01 get our boiler serviced for them. 
13/01 three new enquiries raised, answered in 24hrs. 
18/01 buyers solicitors review file, waiting on an ok from our solicitors on an indemnity we are happy to pay for. Our solicitor who has been amazing the past two weeks goes AWOL all of Monday and part of Tuesday. We view house we last saw in July to check still all ok for exchange. No ceilings fallen through etc.
19/01 desperately trying to contact solicitor as everyone ready to exchange for completion on 27th. Paid full fee to removal company and arrange delivery of box's. She finally responds, policy agreed with, everyone happy to exchange 20/01
20/01 after little sleep, and a nerve racking morning I ring solicitor at 2ish. She calls back at 3.30 can't get in touch with buyers solicitors 🤷🤦 email EA who has been amazing at speaking to them to see if he can chase.
4pm solicitor rings back, has spoken to buyers solicitors who can't exchange as only one party has agreed to it and need permission from both (mother and daughter buying rather than spouses, must have made a difference) but all mortgage funds requested so worse case can still exchange tomorrow for completion on 27th.
4.50pm solicitor calls. WE HAVE EXCHANGED 🎉🎉🎉🎉 


As a side not 6pm discover a leak in upstairs bathroom. Not gushing, but enough to notice 🤷🤷🤷🤦🤦🤦 emergency plumber booked for tomorrow. Honestly!!!! 😱😱😱 

But we are moving on the 27th January 😁

Pheew....reading that got my adrenaline rushing! 
but Congratulations!!

Drawingaline

Peppermint90 said:

Drawingaline said:

Our timeline is the following

08/07 viewed a house after chatting to an agent about marketing ours. It wasn't live until the following day.
09/07 offered full asking price with a view to getting ours on the market with the same agent asap. Vendors agreed and we're happy to give us 14days to get a sale. 
15/07 our house goes on the market. Viewings booked in for the next few days.
21/07 two offers on the table, choose one.
23/07 solicitors instructed, chain complete as vendors moving abroad asap.
28/07 full mortgage offer put in.
12/08 mortgage valuation done.
31/08 panic when it is discovered that while our sale is flying forward with enquiries raised our purchase hasn't sent the contract pack.
07/09 mortgage offer received.
11/09 searches underway, contract pack received, solicitor does loads in one day to make up for dropping the ball in chasing vendors solicitor and then promptly for on holiday.
21/09 all searches back and enquiries underway.
27/09 solicitor sends loads of documents to us to look through, and all replies to enquiries. Only waiting on three more. All looking promising for Oct completion.
28/09 weird message from EA about booking mortgage valuation for our buyer, who had had one in August!
05/10 valuation carried out. They were buy to let investors and didn't like the interest rate offered on previous offer.
October.:nothing happens. All conveyancing is complete ready to exchange and then buyer pulls out over financing. 😡
Nov: house remarketed, 10 viewings booked in 24hrs!!! 
10/11 new offer accepted, first time buyer. She instructs solicitors and sort mortgage in record time.
Then......nothing. her solicitors refuse to do anything until final search received on 21st Dec, but go on holiday for Xmas on the 18th 🤦 we tell them we have to complete on 27th Jan due to our expiring offer. Vendor has stick with us through all this and have already left the country and cleared the house.
04/01 buyers solicitors raise enquiries. All turned round and back with them by 07/01
12/01 get our boiler serviced for them. 
13/01 three new enquiries raised, answered in 24hrs. 
18/01 buyers solicitors review file, waiting on an ok from our solicitors on an indemnity we are happy to pay for. Our solicitor who has been amazing the past two weeks goes AWOL all of Monday and part of Tuesday. We view house we last saw in July to check still all ok for exchange. No ceilings fallen through etc.
19/01 desperately trying to contact solicitor as everyone ready to exchange for completion on 27th. Paid full fee to removal company and arrange delivery of box's. She finally responds, policy agreed with, everyone happy to exchange 20/01
20/01 after little sleep, and a nerve racking morning I ring solicitor at 2ish. She calls back at 3.30 can't get in touch with buyers solicitors 🤷🤦 email EA who has been amazing at speaking to them to see if he can chase.
4pm solicitor rings back, has spoken to buyers solicitors who can't exchange as only one party has agreed to it and need permission from both (mother and daughter buying rather than spouses, must have made a difference) but all mortgage funds requested so worse case can still exchange tomorrow for completion on 27th.
4.50pm solicitor calls. WE HAVE EXCHANGED 🎉🎉🎉🎉 


As a side not 6pm discover a leak in upstairs bathroom. Not gushing, but enough to notice 🤷🤷🤷🤦🤦🤦 emergency plumber booked for tomorrow. Honestly!!!! 😱😱😱 

But we are moving on the 27th January 😁

Pheew....reading that got my adrenaline rushing! 
but Congratulations!!

It was quite cathartic to write! Can't sleep again, up making lists upon lists. But so relieved to be on the final stretch. 

Olive3

Hi all, I'd like to join you all please. I've been reading your tales of joy, hope and woe. I'm rooting for you all! Our timeline is 
08/12 Made offer on our (hopefully) new house, accepted subject to us selling - sellers are moving into new build
10/12 Put our house on the market - Decision in Principle obtained
15/12 Accepted offer on our house (we were really lucky!) - purchaser has sold, and has accepted an offer from a FTB. 
16/12 Solicitors appointed
24/12 Mortgage application completed
04/01 All documents (fixtures & fittings, TR1, ID etc) sent to solicitors, questions from buyers solicitors answered
11/01 - confirmation mortgage offer agreed subject to valuation, valuation booked
18/01 - valuation carried out
Survey on the house we are buying is booked for 22/01. 
I'm waiting for an update from the mortgage company now that the valuation has happened. The buyers of our house have requested all searches. I'm not sure where we are on the searches for our new house - but we are waiting until we get the survey back in case its a shocker, as the house is almost 100 years old - so we have gone for a full structural survey. 
Also hoping we will make the stamp duty deadline, and things seem to be going well so far. All parties are aiming for mid/end March. But I'm not overly optimistic! 
I keep thinking we have missed something. We haven't spoken to a removal company yet, but that feels too soon. What do you all think? 
Olive x

Cuddlybearman

Olive3 said:

Hi all, I'd like to join you all please. I've been reading your tales of joy, hope and woe. I'm rooting for you all! Our timeline is 
08/12 Made offer on our (hopefully) new house, accepted subject to us selling - sellers are moving into new build
10/12 Put our house on the market - Decision in Principle obtained
15/12 Accepted offer on our house (we were really lucky!) - purchaser has sold, and has accepted an offer from a FTB. 
16/12 Solicitors appointed
24/12 Mortgage application completed
04/01 All documents (fixtures & fittings, TR1, ID etc) sent to solicitors, questions from buyers solicitors answered
11/01 - confirmation mortgage offer agreed subject to valuation, valuation booked
18/01 - valuation carried out
Survey on the house we are buying is booked for 22/01. 
I'm waiting for an update from the mortgage company now that the valuation has happened. The buyers of our house have requested all searches. I'm not sure where we are on the searches for our new house - but we are waiting until we get the survey back in case its a shocker, as the house is almost 100 years old - so we have gone for a full structural survey. 
Also hoping we will make the stamp duty deadline, and things seem to be going well so far. All parties are aiming for mid/end March. But I'm not overly optimistic! 
I keep thinking we have missed something. We haven't spoken to a removal company yet, but that feels too soon. What do you all think? 
Olive x

No harm in getting some removal quotes in. Try and go for three as they do seem to vary wildly. I have quotes between £1400 and £2700 for all doing the same thing! Give you an idea of what notice the need when you do get nearer - seems to be about 3 weeks notice for booking for most.

As for the time - its too difficult to predict and you'll have to just go with the flow. Some people getting done quick some people taking ages. For me between me and my vendor we could have transacted in probably 4 weeks - but my buyer has been trying to get a mortgage offer since 26th of October...........and still doesn't have one yet.

I think if you get everything in by the stamp duty deadline based on when you started the process you would have to count yourself very lucky - but its possible if everyone in the chain just has a "normal" circumstance.