How long will the process take now?

Disney_Pluto

So we have bought a new build where the developer has part exchanged our house. This all happened the day of lockdown guessing the developer got desperate and we ended up getting a good deal (we think). There are 3 of them with one of the others being sold. 

We have an official mortgage offer and the mortgage company did a desktop valuation so have been approved and have the paperwork. We sent all the buying and selling paperwork to our solicitors and so has the seller/buyer to theirs. My question is in this current climate are things moving really slowly? Obviously the house we are buying is a new build so not sure if that holds things up and ours in 6 years old so not a complex house.  

We wouldn’t be so desperate to move but I’m pregnant and due in 11 weeks and would really like to be moved before the baby is here. Do you think this is unrealistic due to certain people either not working or working from home. 

Thanks

onthemend88

Our solicitors are working from home and are in contact with the vendors solicitors regularly. We submitted all documents to the solicitor just before the lockdown and I have had an update today to say that all they are waiting for is the local authority search (which will hopefully be completed soon) and a few more enquiries from the vendors solicitors who they have spoken to today. So, things are moving albeit slowly but at least it is moving. 

Disney_Pluto

Thank you for your response. Our solicitor when we first enquired said they were still working to a 8 week completion but wasn’t sure if they were just saying that initially to get us on the books as such. So things are still moving and searches are still being able to be completed regardless of lockdown? That’s good to know. Thank you 

OldMusicGuy

We committed to a new build on March 12th and planned to exchange within 28 days but that isn't going to happen. Things are going more slowly than usual but our developer is ok with that. Our solicitor got sidetracked with urgent completions the first week after lockdown.

Our solicitor applied for searches and hasn't said that there will be any issues getting them. Just stay in contact with the solicitor and developer to make sure things are moving along.