Buying home whilst abroad

itwasntme001

Hi,

My friend has found a house he really likes and is going to make an offer. Problem is he is going abroad on holiday for the whole of December, back 1st Jan. The seller has found a house for him/herself so wants to complete in around 8 weeks time, which brings it to the first week of Jan.

Will my friend have any issues with completing given he will not be in the country for the whole of December? He is chain free and requires a mortgage. Its a freehold house and as far as he can tell would be a pretty standard purchase.

Will he need to be present to sign papers etc or can it all be done in November and/or remotely whilst he is abroad on holiday? He has asked me to help him out with the purchase whilst he is abroad but perhaps he needs to be here for the purchase to happen?

Thanks

davidmcn

He can't even ask his own questions on an internet forum while he's still in the correct country, so I'm not too hopeful...

However, most of the work can be done by email and phone. He can grant a power of attorney to his solicitor (or you) to sign documents, or if necessary things can be emailed to and couriered back from most places on the planet. There's no need for him to be physically around for exchange or completion.

His main difficulty is going to be that it's a tight timescale even if he were at home, especially if it involves a mortgage application and the Christmas period. Is the seller's desire to complete in early January just a vague wish or are there actually problems if it doesn't happen in time?

hazyjo

Considering most solicitors and estate agents will be shut over the festive period and probably not even opening again until 6 Jan, I'd say it's extremely unlikely it'll happen then.

Why the rush? I'd guess completion would more likely be early Feb at best.

Yes, I know it can happen quicker, I've done it in 5 weeks myself, but not during holiday season when the whole world and his dog will want to be "in for Christmas".