FTB, No Chain Timeline - moving slow?

hollyeo

Hi, first time poster and first time buyer. Over the past 6 months, I've been reading a lot on MSE to get an idea around timescales and how the house buying process works, I understand that everyones situation is different however I can't help but feel as though ours is moving terribly slow for how much has happened in a short space of time. Our timeline is below, everything seemed to happen really quickly which is great, but it doesn't seem to be moving quick in terms of getting a completion date or an idea of completion timescale. Our solicitor isn't great at providing us with updates, I've had to chase on mutiple occasions about certain aspects of the sale (it took a month for them to confirm they had received the mortgage offer and send us the details!)  Anyone got any advice on how to move this along or if it's normal to be waiting?
19 September 2020 - Offer accepted
20 September 2020 - Our solicitor instructed & mortgage application completed
29 September 2020 - Mortgage offer approved subject to valuation
9 October 2020 - Mortgage offer issued
Friday 23 October 2020 - Searches Complete but requested 1 further search
Wednesday 4 November - Contract package reviewed from Seller's solicitor
I've not heard anything since 4 November. There is no chain, the house we are buying is empty and we are first time buyers. I've been to see the house a few times (drive past) and the house is still full of furniture, assuming they aren't expecting this to be done anytime soon?  Is it normal for the house not to be emptied until exchange? 
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 
Thanks

firsttimebuyerhelpme

We had an offer accepted on a property just days after you, we completed on Friday. Call your solicitor and ask what you are waiting for? If it’s like our sale, there was still some furniture left as they were planning on donating to charity but no one was collecting due to lockdown, we agreed to complete with the furniture still there and we’ve just disposed of what we don’t want. 

MaryNB

Have you chased the estate agent? Ask if there's anything outstanding from the seller's end and if the seller is ready to agree on an exchange date. You're just over 2 months in which isn't a huge amount of time but no harm in chasing. Are you getting a survey done?
If the house is empty but full of furniture and there's no chain is the house going through probate?

My house purchase was quiet for a while and then ramped up pretty quickly as we started approaching exchange. There are two houses in the chain, I'm an FTB.

MaryNB

Also, has your solicitor sent you the Fixtures & Fittings form and Property Information Form? I didn't get the PIF until a few days before proposed exchange (before it was delayed) and was lucky it only threw up one issue that was quickly resolved. If you don't have them start chasing in case they lead to more enquiries. 

Tonyw193

I was in a similar situation and hadn't heard anything back for a while. It may be worth contacting the estate agent as it turned out the reason the seller had not retutned the contract was because they had covid and couldn't leave to post it back. My solicitor was also horrendous with updates and would only get in touch when it suited. We are completing on Friday, the current owners dont plan to move out until Thursday so i wouldnt be too concerned with furniture still in there. But trying calling your solicitor or the estate agent maybe a good starting point. 

cattie

I think you're being too impatient, especially considering the lockdown limitations. Over the years I've been lucky enough to be buying/selling with no chain whatsoever & the average time from offer to completion has been 12-14 weels.

hazyjo

Also think you're being too impatient/optimistic.

Wouldn't expect it to all happen in less than 3 months at the mo (even chain free).

Probably best to not try to work out how long each individual process might take, but deal with it as an overall process. Some bits will be slower than average, others quicker.

hollyeo

firsttimebuyerhelpme said:

We had an offer accepted on a property just days after you, we completed on Friday. Call your solicitor and ask what you are waiting for? If it’s like our sale, there was still some furniture left as they were planning on donating to charity but no one was collecting due to lockdown, we agreed to complete with the furniture still there and we’ve just disposed of what we don’t want. 

I called the solicitor last week, they said they still had some documents to review, not sure what they are. We've had the fixtures and fittings document through and confirmed we are happy with this. I hadn't thought of that, could be that the seller's want to remove all belongings before progressing. Thanks!

hollyeo

cattie said:

I think you're being too impatient, especially considering the lockdown limitations. Over the years I've been lucky enough to be buying/selling with no chain whatsoever & the average time from offer to completion has been 12-14 weels.

Hi Cattie, yes I probably am, which is why I wanted some advice on the sale as haven't been through it myself, and most people I know have bought in a chain so each one is different however being first time buyers, and the property being empty, I wanted to ensure things are moving in the right direction

hollyeo

Tonyw193 said:

I was in a similar situation and hadn't heard anything back for a while. It may be worth contacting the estate agent as it turned out the reason the seller had not retutned the contract was because they had covid and couldn't leave to post it back. My solicitor was also horrendous with updates and would only get in touch when it suited. We are completing on Friday, the current owners dont plan to move out until Thursday so i wouldnt be too concerned with furniture still in there. But trying calling your solicitor or the estate agent maybe a good starting point. 

Thank you Tonyw193, I think I'll try with the Estate Agents next, see if they've heard anything from the Sellers.  

hollyeo

MaryNB said:

Have you chased the estate agent? Ask if there's anything outstanding from the seller's end and if the seller is ready to agree on an exchange date. You're just over 2 months in which isn't a huge amount of time but no harm in chasing. Are you getting a survey done?
If the house is empty but full of furniture and there's no chain is the house going through probate?

My house purchase was quiet for a while and then ramped up pretty quickly as we started approaching exchange. There are two houses in the chain, I'm an FTB.

Thanks Mary - yes we've had the fixtures & fittings form through. I'd really just like to know what's next, even if it isn't exchange/completion, just to have an understanding where we are, mainly to help with my knowlege on the house buying process! My next step will be to chase the estate agent