What do you think of this situation?

IvyFlood

We are FTB and we had an offer accepted on a house on 31st May.

We submitted our mortgage application on 11th June but the valuation and survey aren’t happening until 9th July. We’ve been told by our lender (Nationwide) that it’s just down to lack of chartered surveyor which could be true due to the time of year/holidays etc? Does this seem normal!?

I’m a bit concerned the vendors may feel worried that nothing is happening quick enough and pull out. We did go and visit the property/them again on 18th June just to share our frustrations about it being so far off and to exchange numbers so that we are all on the same wavelength – hopefully!

We are currently renting and they are moving into rented and they asked us when we will be giving notice as they have their eye on a few places. We said after contracts have been exchanged?

We also requested that our solicitor do the searches in the meantime to hopefully save time but until the valuation is done and they hear from the lender they can’t really proceed any further.

Is it just a case of sitting tight and being patient until it happens or is it worth just giving the vendors a text to say things are happening in the background. I know that would give me piece of mind if I was selling a house. I’m just worried they might think we are stalling things and will be frustrated that over a month has passed and nothings really progressed – which we are too! I suppose we've come this far...

Surrey_EA

Seems pretty normal to me. I really wouldn't worry too much. 9th July is only 6 working days away.

Are you buying through and estate agent? If so, make sure they're kept informed to and allow them to manage the expectations of the vendor.

Sounds like you're on top of everything.

Slithery

If the survey is already booked for the 9th then what would make the vendors think you aren't progressing?

steampowered

Good communication is important. People understand that house sales take time but often worry that the other party isn't moving forward. I would just explain to the vendors what you have explained to us.

victoriavictorious

You sound like ideal buyers (and they don't come along every day, trust me!), everything sounds like it's progressing pretty normally timewise, and I'm sure it will all be fine.

Hoploz

They've probably had the worrying bit already - that was the weeks between 31st May and now! They've been given the 9th July target so that's getting closer now. If you've got no concerns about obtaining the mortgage and have an agreement in principle, you could start the solicitor going on the rest of it so that you're ready to exchange straight after getting the mortgage offer. It just might mean you are out of pocket £1-2k if you don't get that mortgage and you can't get one elsewhere.

Fosterdog

Two years ago we had an offer accepted on 31st May and we completed 2nd September, we did have a slight delay for valuation and another as the house was tenanted so didn't want to proceed further until the tenant left (they had already given notice due to relocation to a different area). The whole process was just a few days over 12 weeks and was the norm at the time.

Surrey_EA

Fosterdog wrote: »

The whole process was just a few days over 12 weeks and was the norm at the time.

It's not getting any quicker!

Jaffapig

:rotfl: I am in the same boat! Nationwide received our request for homebuyers report on 11th and it has only just been booked in for the 5th. I'm so thrilled to discover that they use Countrywide for surveying as I've noticed some carp reviews here on MSE (largely to do with their speed which we've already felt!)

I had the same concerns so we gave the vendors a message via the EA that the reason for the delay was Nationwide not us dragging our heels. Just make sure your sellers are kept in the loop

Solicitors are doing their searches now so I hope by the time we get the reports back the sols will be wrapping up that bit of work and we can move on to the next stage.

Thrugelmir

What are the vendors plans going forward?

IvyFlood

Slithery wrote: »

If the survey is already booked for the 9th then what would make the vendors think you aren't progressing?

I don't know I've just read things on here about sellers not being satisfied with how fast things are progressing and the advice has generally been they pull out and put the house back on the market