FTB - How long does seller usually take to respond to queries

harshitguptaiitr

I understand that the response time could vary depending on type/nature of queries.

But is there any ballpark estimates as to how long does it generally take for a seller to respond to solicitor queries on FREEHOLD house advertised with no onward chain.


My progress so far is as below:

Day-00: Offer made by FTB on a property advertised with no onward chain.
Day-05: Offer Accepted
Day-12: Valuation Survey Carried Out + Homebuyer Report
Day-27: Seller signed Property Information Form + Fitting and Content Form
Day-33: Lender confirmed acceptance of Mortgage Offer to FTBs
Day-40: Seller's solicitor issued draft contract pack
Day-42: Draft contract pack received at FTB's solicitor
Day-68: Queries raised to seller solicitor
Day-71: Result of all searched received at FTB's solicitor and further queries raised
Day-74: Waiting on response from seller solicitor on enquiries raised by FTB's solicitor

Surrey_EA

I'm afraid not.

The seller may respond the same day, or it might take 4 weeks. Or they may take longer.

As the EA who you are buying through to chase the seller in the hope of getting them answered quickly.

Rambosmum

We've had this. Took more than 6 weeks and then we only got a partial response. Luckily we have a pro-active solicitor or it could have taken longer. The sellers solicitor actually told our solicitor to stop bothering him and he'll get round to it when he has a chance! Some people are just really unprofessional.

goodwithsaving

If it's an inherited property, it may be that they need to search for answers. Likewise if it hasn't been sold for a while. I like quick responses but I'm a bit impatient. Give them time.

harshitguptaiitr

As a FTB, I am impatient too and was hoping that I will have the keys within 90 days from offer acceptance. Unfortunately I don't see that happening now as we are on day # 74 and no dates to exchange contracts yet.

By the way, is this a good time to finalize the building insurance?


EDIT
Due to compelling personal circumstances, if we don't complete the house by end of September, I will have to pull out.

SuboJvR

harshitguptaiitr wrote: »

As a FTB, I am impatient too and was hoping that I will have the keys within 90 days from offer acceptance. Unfortunately I don't see that happening now as we are on day # 74 and no dates to exchange contracts yet.

By the way, is this a good time to finalize the building insurance?


EDIT
Due to compelling personal circumstances, if we don't complete the house by end of September, I will have to pull out.

My understanding is that buildings insurance should be in place from time of exchange, for non-new builds.

For new builds the situation is different as the property is covered by the developer's insurance until completion.

Surrey_EA

harshitguptaiitr wrote: »

Due to compelling personal circumstances, if we don't complete the house by end of September, I will have to pull out.

Have you made the EA and your solicitor aware of this?

There should be plenty of time between now and the end of September to get everything taken care of, but the weeks can slip by surprisingly quickly. Speak to the EA and get them to chase their client.

harshitguptaiitr

Have you made the EA and your solicitor aware of this?

Yes - that is precisely why we finally received the draft contract pack from them - 6 weeks after making offer.

ReadingTim

harshitguptaiitr wrote: »

Yes - that is precisely why we finally received the draft contract pack from them - 6 weeks after making offer.

In which case there's nothing more you can do - you just have to sit back and chill out because the matter is out of your hands. The best person to chase is the EA, as they don't get paid if the sale falls through, so as long as they're aware that it's a proper deadline and not a bluff then the rest is up to the vendor.

Personally, I wouldn't arrange insurance etc until you have, or are close to exchanging contracts. Furthermore, whilst the end of September does seem like some time away, and there's no reason why you shouldn't complete within that time; you might want to mentally prepare for the fact that if you do get timed out, you'll have to write off what you've spend thus far on searches, legal fees etc...

harshitguptaiitr

The best person to chase is the EA, as they don't get paid if the sale falls through.

Wouldn't EA still get paid as I am a ready, willing and able buyer?

To be fair, the EA is spending 15 minutes per week in getting updates from both the solicitors....

Lauralou79

Waiting for the enquiries stage was the worse bit for us, so close but so far!! We were in no chain and FTB ready to go. Vendors had moved out, yet still awaiting enquiries back and forth for a good number of weeks and when we did receive our report I've no idea why!! I upped the pressure to the solicitors and informed the vendors it wasn't us slowing it down so they applied pressure to their side too. Got their eventually and luckily exchange/completition happened quickly.