Mortgage first then survey and searches?

btcp

Our offer on the house was accepted! Now I am trying to identify the order of the steps. Is that a mortgage offer I should be getting first and hold on with survey and searches until then? We have DIP just need to do a proper application now. Surveys and searches cost a lot so I am wondering if I should not be spending this money until I get my mortgage offer. On the other hand, it may delay the process a bit if I wait. What others normally do? 

nightingale101

So last time I was doing both at the same time which I learned from that I should actually do the mortgage first in case there are issues you need to sort out and only once you've been approved then instruct your solicitor to do the searches etc. It may take longer but it will save you money in case something happens with the mortgage application.

btcp

That’s sounds logical to me, thanks. 

Sunsaru

Mortgage first, survey next then searches.

AdrianC

What's your biggest risk and fear?
Is it getting the mortgage approved? Prioritise that.
Is it that the house might turn out ropy? Prioritise the survey.
Is it time, with potential wasted fees secondary? Do everything in parallel.

Indigo_and_Violet

I would check how long searches are taking in your area and what deadlines you/your sellers are working to. While the order you have proposed make total sense, given that searches are taking several months to come back in many areas and cost relatively little in the grand scheme of things, it might be worth ordering them sooner. So what AdrianC said, but in more words. 

btcp

AdrianC said:

What's your biggest risk and fear?
Is it getting the mortgage approved? Prioritise that.
Is it that the house might turn out ropy? Prioritise the survey.
Is it time, with potential wasted fees secondary? Do everything in parallel.

The mortgage application is submitted as a matter of priority anyway, it's just a wait as I am not sure how long it will take them to review all the documents and approve. What am I gaining by prioritising the survey? I will do it anyway, but the question is if I do it now or after the mortgage approval. The time is not so important as we cannot complete by June 30 due to the high workload on solicitor's side.

user1977

The process takes long enough anyway before anybody starts insisting on doing everything serially. Unless you've got material doubts that your mortgage application will be successful I'd just be getting on with everything else at the same time. We've seen examples here of something throwing a spanner into the works of a long-running transaction, which could have been avoided if everyone just got on with progressing the transaction.