Selling and buying at the same time - Moving

matticus7

Hi,

We're in the final stages of selling our home and buying our next property. Our purchase is reliant on the funds from our sale (just in case that matters) so both the sale and purchase need to happen at the same time.

No matter how much information I've read about exchanges, completion dates etc I still can't seem to wrap my head around how exactly it all works. (This has all been going on since just before lockdown so my brain is melting at this point)

My understanding is that when you exchange contracts you agree a date where you will vacate the property and our seller will vacate theirs. Now although it may be an obvious answer I'm confused around how I organise enough time for us to move our belongings into our new property before our buyer is given the keys.

Sorry if this comes across like a daft question but I've been dealing with the sale and purchase on my own during this whole time as my wife is unwell and this part is really stressing me out. Any helpful advice or a breakdown of what happens on the day of moving would be really appreciated.

davidmcn

You don't need to move your belongings into your new property before your buyer is given the keys, you just need to move them out of your old property. You'll have things packed up in advance, you can start loading your van first thing in the morning. Helps if you have professional movers involved of course. Legal completion rarely happens first thing in the day (or at a predictable time) and there has to be a bit of flexibility from all involved.

matticus7

Thanks David, that clears things up. So we would hire a van / removal company, load everything up and then wait until everything is finished legally and then start moving our stuff into the new home? sounds straight forward (or as much as it can be).

Angela_D_3

I think it depends on the distance involved.  I'm moving 300 miles away so planning to exchange on the Monday ..... pack up, load the van and then upon completion on the Friday move down.  Pick up the keys and spend the night in a hotel and then move in on the Saturday, return the van Saturday afternoon.

RelievedSheff

As David has already said. Make sure everything is packed up bar the essentials for the day before completion date. On completion date load your ready packed belongings into the van (either hire removals, a man and van or DIY with a van), when your current house is empty leave the keys at the prearranged place, usually the estate agents, and then wait for the phone call to say that you have completed. At that point you can pick up the keys to your new place and unload the van again.

There is a lot of waiting around on completion date!

We used a fully insured man and van service for our move and it was the best £300 we spent. They made the move so easy and straight forward and the two of us hardly had to lift a finger. We made sure all of the boxes were well packed and reinforced and each box labelled with the room it should go in and the contents which made it easier for the lads moving gear around and easier for us when unpacking.

Greatgimp

Completion time is often about 12noon to 2pm.

matticus7

Thankfully the distance is under 5 miles so it shouldn't be a problem to sit around and wait as we have family nearby who can watch the kids etc while it all completes.

[Deleted User]

I think you are also kind of relying on the other parties involved to be as organised as possible. 

When we completed on our house the sellers didn't finish moving their stuff out till 6pm! 

matticus7

Yeah we're anticipating a delay on the sellers side as they moving over 300 miles away with toddlers so I can imagine it will be a very hectic day for them. 

AdrianC

What you describe is just a bog-standard chain situation. They happen EVERY DAY, in quantity - they're the majority of house sales and purchases.

gingercordial

matticus7 said:

Yeah we're anticipating a delay on the sellers side as they moving over 300 miles away with toddlers so I can imagine it will be a very hectic day for them. 

Fingers crossed that means they'll be organised and packed up ready to go in advance, as they will want to get on the road as early as possible to avoid travelling that distance late in the day with tired small children.  If not I bet it will be a stressful day for them!