Will another lockdown affect house buying process?

pbhb

I’m pretty annoyed at the estate agent who took ten days to send sale memorandum to my solicitor after my offer was accepted. I told them I wanted a sale to go through as fast as possible, ideally before Christmas (no chain either end and cash buy). In the ten days she had wasted (I imagine she was waiting to see if another offer would come in) she’s set back the conveyancing process and now I’m worried a potential lockdown will halt things further.

can anyone give me an opinion on what happened during the last lockdown? We’re searches etc delayed? Will my surveyor still be willing to work (she’s booked in 16th November)?

After two failed house sales I’m not prepared to lose another! I know we don’t know if another lockdown will be the same but I’m interested to know on what happened last time

FtbDreaming

In my experience my conveyancing started on 11th Feb and completed on 17th August. Everybody was still working but from home which meant each and every email took about 2 weeks to act on/reply to. 

Personally I wouldn’t hold much hope of being done for Christmas but I’m a pessimist. 

pbhb

FtbDreaming said:

In my experience my conveyancing started on 11th Feb and completed on 17th August. Everybody was still working but from home which meant each and every email took about 2 weeks to act on/reply to. 

Personally I wouldn’t hold much hope of being done for Christmas but I’m a pessimist. 

Thank you, I would rather focus on worse case scenario and be happily surprised than be too hopeful and end up disappointed!

SDLT_Geek

You might find this cross industry guidance of 14 May 2020 helpful as to what happened last time.  https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-to-conveyancers-advising-clients-on-house-moves

sarah69696pink

We're currently in the process of moving and although we've not been impacted by a lockdown (yet!) we've found everything to be much delayed - searchers, surveys etc.  I think Xmas would be unlikely in my view.

youth_leader

I'm a cash buyer as well, and also waited ten days for my Mem of sale.  When I enquired the EA said the vendor hadn't sent through her solicitor's details.  I've sent my forms through now but my solicitor is an ex neighbour and I haven't seen his car for two days, assume he is away.  I'm not hopeful for Christmas, hope you have a better experience.

pbhb

youth_leader said:

I'm a cash buyer as well, and also waited ten days for my Mem of sale.  When I enquired the EA said the vendor hadn't sent through her solicitor's details.  I've sent my forms through now but my solicitor is an ex neighbour and I haven't seen his car for two days, assume he is away.  I'm not hopeful for Christmas, hope you have a better experience.

Good luck!! 

que-sera-sera_2

We are hopefully nearing exchange and completion. All searches are back and we are just waiting on one enquiry to be sorted. It is a short chain and we are currently living with family.
I am DESPERATE to be in before Christmas. I really hope the lockdown doesn’t affect us too much. We are doing the move ourselves, will just hire a van etc. I suppose it all depends on whether our vendors are willing to move during ‘lockdown.’ Fingers crossed. I am trying to remain positive but gosh it’s hard!

Sibbers123

If another lockdown occurs, then things will undoubtedly slow down. Unless you have already exchanged or due to in the coming week or two, I would be surprised if you are in before Christmas.

House viewings will probably have to stop, so you won't be guzzumped I'd imagine. 

If another lockdown occurred, I would want the process to slow down as it will give you a better picture of what the economy and property market will be doing in the short-term allowing you to make a more informed decision.

pbhb

que-sera-sera_2 said:

We are hopefully nearing exchange and completion. All searches are back and we are just waiting on one enquiry to be sorted. It is a short chain and we are currently living with family.
I am DESPERATE to be in before Christmas. I really hope the lockdown doesn’t affect us too much. We are doing the move ourselves, will just hire a van etc. I suppose it all depends on whether our vendors are willing to move during ‘lockdown.’ Fingers crossed. I am trying to remain positive but gosh it’s hard!

I hope it all goes well for you! I’m living with my parents and I love them, but can’t wait to move out!

Drawingaline

I am thinking a lockdown will mean our small chain collapses tbh. Gutted.