Requesting a later completion date...

KatieDee

We've had an offer accepted on a property and are just waiting to apply for our mortgage and appoint a solicitor.

We are chain free and the vendor has already purchased a new home and moved in. With this in mind, we would hope for a relatively pain free purchase (famous last words...).

Ideally, we would like to try and prolong completion until April. I appreciate that the average house purchase can take between 8-10 weeks to complete but is it considered inappropriate to request a completion date for a particular date to suit yourself? We would be hoping for a move in around 13 weeks.

I'm relatively new to this and don't want to ruffle any feathers! Knowing our luck, we will breeze through the entire process without any issues and then will just look awkward when we ask for a later completion date! :rotfl:

quotememiserable

It's fine to agree whatever both parties can agree on. The thing is ask for exchange and completion dates spread out by whatever amount you need - and I'd explain why as well. Is that you're going to do some work to the house in this time? If so it's essential that you exchange and get the deposit paid so that you're both contractually committed.
I've agreed a 7 week gap in the past, it's all down to what your vendors will accept.

KatieDee

quotememiserable wrote: »

It's fine to agree whatever both parties can agree on. The thing is ask for exchange and completion dates spread out by whatever amount you need - and I'd explain why as well. Is that you're going to do some work to the house in this time? If so it's essential that you exchange and get the deposit paid so that you're both contractually committed.
I've agreed a 7 week gap in the past, it's all down to what your vendors will accept.

Thank you. It's more to do with our availability to collect keys, check the property, then make a start on what we need to do. I've had to take more leave than anticipated this year, so it makes things a bit awkward.

Wouldn't be the end of the world if we couldn't delay until April, it's only preference.

AdrianC

You are WAY off thinking about completion date. That's set at exchange, a few weeks away.

For all you know, come April, you'll have either aborted the transaction completely because something's come to light that you don't like - or you'll still be wrangling over details.

KatieDee

AdrianC wrote: »

You are WAY off thinking about completion date. That's set at exchange, a few weeks away.

For all you know, come April, you'll have either aborted the transaction completely because something's come to light that you don't like - or you'll still be wrangling over details.

Thanks. I understand that, as I've done my research into the process and appreciate how long things can take/what can go wrong/etc. Normally people want to exchange and complete as quickly as possible, so I just wanted to see if it was acceptable to ask for later dates if the opportunity arises.

Surrey_EA

Agree with Adrian, it's far too early to be worrying about specific completion dates. A huge amount has to happen before it is time to start putting forward your request for a date.

That being said, it's not a bad idea for both parties to have a vague idea of what the other is thinking about timeframes, to avoid any potential shocks further down the line.

KatieDee

Surrey_EA wrote: »

Agree with Adrian, it's far too early to be worrying about specific completion dates. A huge amount has to happen before it is time to start putting forward your request for a date.

That being said, it's not a bad idea for both parties to have a vague idea of what the other is thinking about timeframes, to avoid any potential shocks further down the line.

I agree as well - I don't want to appear as some over eager buyer who is ignorant to how long it can take. We're due to go for another viewing where we will meet with the family again, so my plan was to gauge what their plan was then and maybe explain what we want.

I suppose I just wanted to know whether or not April would be reasonable, or whether the general idea is go as fast as possible towards completion.

lookstraightahead

Just go with the flow and set completion when it's due - in your case you want April. You need to get your mortgage agreed first ��

sgun

We were in pretty much the same position as you, chain free, vendors moving into empty house, should have been straightforward. We have just passed the 6 month mark and have a completion date of the 21st Jan. Its good to be keen but be realistic (ours has been unusual but delays happen).

hazyjo

Average is actually 12 weeks. So you may actually not be that far out re dates.

Carrot007

AdrianC wrote: »

You are WAY off thinking about completion date. That's set at exchange, a few weeks away.

I dissagree. If a long completeion day was not mentioned to me well in advance (of exchange, preferably at viewing TBH) I would be saying no.



If you want something weird the sooner you ask the better.