When to complete property transaction?

akorn77

I'm purchasing a flat at the moment. EA has asked me when I want to complete. I was thinking to suggest mid June - does this seem sensible? It's really hard to nail down a date, as the government haven't officially given much of a timeframe. The sellers tenants have moved out and obviously she would be keen to complete ASAP, but that's not really my problem at this stage. 

There are a number of logistical things that I've jotted down, that I may not be able to do or easily do during the lockdown (in May), such as: 
- get a new broadband line installed (providers aren't doing in-home visits at the moment) 
- furniture shopping (beds, sofas etc.), I dont know how easy this will be as you need to go out shopping & touch everything 
- some refurb/decoration will entail various tradesman coming in and out etc. which isnt ideal 
- buying DIY supplies (maybe long waiting times for things?)

I'm sure there are other things I've forgotten. Purchasing at the best of times its a hard process, let alone during a pandemic! 

Edit - just to add, my mortgage offer expires on 30th June 

MovingForwards

Who knows it's just a best guess as we don't know where you are at with the purchase.

akorn77

MovingForwards said:

Who knows it's just a best guess as we don't know where you are at with the purchase.

Circa two weeks away from being ready to exchange. But I think the plan is to exchange and complete same day or within a couple days of each other. 

Comms69

akorn77 said:

MovingForwards said:

Who knows it's just a best guess as we don't know where you are at with the purchase.

Circa two weeks away from being ready to exchange. But I think the plan is to exchange and complete same day or within a couple days of each other. 

Ok well you can exchange with a completion date of a month if you want (and can agree)

akorn77

Comms69 said:

akorn77 said:

MovingForwards said:

Who knows it's just a best guess as we don't know where you are at with the purchase.

Circa two weeks away from being ready to exchange. But I think the plan is to exchange and complete same day or within a couple days of each other. 

Ok well you can exchange with a completion date of a month if you want (and can agree)

Yep i know. I just wanted to know when other people are planning to complete 

MovingForwards

I'm completing as soon as possible, just waiting on my confirmed date as there's a proposed one kicking around which my packing schedule is working to.

Then I'm off and moving.

Broadband etc can wait, I've enough films etc to watch on my harddrive. Do you need a new line or is there something in place now you could made do?

Will use the time between moving and normality returning, to decide what decoration I want to do. It also gives me time to make a list of niggles / minor repairs to fix. Have the option of ordering on line for delivery or click and collect if I get the urge to start doing anything.

When I moved into my current rental I slept on duvets on the floor and created a futon out of them for the day time, was loads of fun trying to get up due to disabilities and I would do exactly the same again if need be.

I'm looking forward to sitting / standing in my own home with a huge smile on my face.

greatcrested

Complete asap. In the current climate, Exchange/Complete same day.

All the issuesyou rais can be managed once you own, most of it online.

If you want to try beds before buying, then just get a really cheap one or sleep on a mattress on the floor to start with.

akorn77

MovingForwards said:

I'm completing as soon as possible, just waiting on my confirmed date as there's a proposed one kicking around which my packing schedule is working to.

Then I'm off and moving.

Broadband etc can wait, I've enough films etc to watch on my harddrive. Do you need a new line or is there something in place now you could made do?

Will use the time between moving and normality returning, to decide what decoration I want to do. It also gives me time to make a list of niggles / minor repairs to fix. Have the option of ordering on line for delivery or click and collect if I get the urge to start doing anything.

When I moved into my current rental I slept on duvets on the floor and created a futon out of them for the day time, was loads of fun trying to get up due to disabilities and I would do exactly the same again if need be.

I'm looking forward to sitting / standing in my own home with a huge smile on my face.

Valid points. Although broadband is necessary for work, but perhaps I can continue with the same provider. In the last house I bought, the provider was Virgin so i got it changed asap lol (always had bad experiences with Virgin!) 

greatcrested said:

Complete asap. In the current climate, Exchange/Complete same day.

All the issuesyou rais can be managed once you own, most of it online.

If you want to try beds before buying, then just get a really cheap one or sleep on a mattress on the floor to start with.

Out of curiosity why do you recommend completion ASAP? In my personal situation I'm not really in a rush and of course health & safety is paramount. 

staffie1

I’m exchanging and completing on Tuesday. Virgin Media coming on Wednesday to install broadband, phone and tv. It’s all do-able.

akorn77

staffie1 said:

I’m exchanging and completing on Tuesday. Virgin Media coming on Wednesday to install broadband, phone and tv. It’s all do-able.

Interesting. I wonder why/how Virgin are doing it, when other providers arent? 

Plusnet says: 

 Openreach engineer/ installation appointments

Our top priority is to keep our customers connected. Following guidance from our network partners at Openreach, we're making changes to the service we can provide you during this time.

• We are continuing to provision new and existing customers where an engineer visit is not required, or the work we do can be completed outside the home.
• If you need an in-home visit – for a new line installation for example – will be unable to provide new appointments until June, and this timeframe could be extended.

MovingForwards

@akorn77 I need broadband for work as a lot is cloud / server storage, but have already started tracking how much internet I do use for work and am looking into getting a dongle / WiFi package for a month or so, if need be; my company will refund me. (Even if they didn't I would still do it). It would work for me as I'm just an office waller using office / internet etc for my job. I've already planned the first month of working from home with limited internet!

Have you checked to see what providers are in the road you are buying? If there's a BT line that opens it up to loads more and is probably just a case of sending a router to you and flicking a switch for connection. Sadly, virgin isn't in my new area as I would have happily stayed with them but have selected my new company.

The reason for exchange / completion being on the same day is in case buyer / seller exchange, one gets ill and / or dies, then there is breach of the contract. It's for both of your benefit to do it the same day.

I'm rushing to complete / move as I've neighbours from hell, it was bad enough before lockdown!