House sold, seeking advice on timescale

catey92

Chain free, we are just selling.  We accepted offer on our house mid March.  We have had limited contact with EA or solicitors,  survey was completed beginning of April, we didn’t hear anything back, (so assume it was fine).  On 22nd May We got a couple of enquiries ( 1 asked for paperwork for extension that was built 40 yes ago , we don’t have any paperwork.) and these were sent back on 25th May .  We haven’t heard anything since.  I keep reading about people pushing for specific completion dates, at what point does a completion date get mentioned.  I know time to complete varies, but  could anyone advise if it sounds like we are nearing exchange/ completion, or is this still someway off? 

dimbo61

Lots of people are trying to exchange/complete before the Stamp duty holiday ends on the 30th of June to try and save on stamp duty costs.
If it's first time buyers they might not have any stamp duty costs

Mutton_Geoff

Maybe ask that question of your legal representatives, not a bunch of internet strangers? 

catey92

Silly me, I thought the idea of the forum was to ask for advice/opinions from a bunch of internet strangers.  Ps, I’m not too bothered if the people on here think I don’t have  a clue, but not too keen on sharing this with my legal representatives.  But maybe I’ll contact them x 

GarretC

Why are you not keen on asking your legal representatives whether you're close to exchange?

AnotherJoe

catey92 said:

Chain free, we are just selling.  We accepted offer on our house mid March.  We have had limited contact with EA or solicitors,  survey was completed beginning of April, we didn’t hear anything back, (so assume it was fine).  On 22nd May We got a couple of enquiries ( 1 asked for paperwork for extension that was built 40 yes ago , we don’t have any paperwork.) and these were sent back on 25th May .  We haven’t heard anything since.  I keep reading about people pushing for specific completion dates, at what point does a completion date get mentioned.  I know time to complete varies, but  could anyone advise if it sounds like we are nearing exchange/ completion, or is this still someway off? 

Having read in between the lines of your post, i calculate that completion is 47 days off.

Or, more seriously, ask your solicitor how close you are because no one here can possibly have a clue. 

DVN999

I think the OP is probably just after anyone with recent experience to give her an idea as to what to expect, anecdotally if nothing else.

Yes, asking solicitors is the way ahead but, as we know, they are often unwilling to specify dates/Crystal ball things as don’t want to be held on speculation.

I agree with the OP; the purpose of a forum is to ask these questions and draw on other people’s experiences. I’m sorry I can offer any, as am in the same boat as you, but we’ve been told expect 2-3 months from offer accepted to completion, as a minimum, with no chain.

starframe18

Hi, I accepted our offer in March and I completed today. In the end I gave my solicitor the date as they were just giving vague timescale. 

I didn’t want to push them but in the end I had had enough of questions and paperwork 😬 
call your solicitors or email them and say you want it finished by the end of June and at least the middle of June to exchange contracts.

Tiglet2

This might help:

Conveyancing process for selling a property

1.   Seller’s Conveyancer instructed.

2.   Seller’s Conveyancer confirms instructions by letter setting out the terms of business and fixed fee costs.

3.   Seller’s Conveyancer carries out proof of identity checks and sends out a fittings and contents form and property information form(s) for completion. If the property is leasehold, additional information will be required.

4.   Seller to complete fittings and contents form and property information form(s).

5.   Seller’s Conveyancer obtains title deeds from deeds holder or official copies of the title register and any other documents required by The Land Registry and details of the amount outstanding on any existing mortgage.

6.   Seller’s Conveyancer prepares the draft contract and supporting contract documentation and sends to the buyer’s Conveyancer.

7.   Buyer’s Conveyancer checks the contract and supporting contract documentation and raises pre-contract enquiries with the seller’s Conveyancer.

8.   Seller’s Conveyancer and seller answer pre-contract enquiries.

9.   Buyer’s Conveyancer confirms they have acceptable results from their searches, are happy with the answers to pre-contract enquiries and are in receipt of a mortgage offer (if any).

10.  Seller and buyer agree on a completion date and contracts are formally “exchanged” - meaning both parties are legally committed to the transaction. Seller’s Conveyancer will obtain a settlement figure to repay the outstanding amount on any existing mortgage, if applicable. Buyer’s Conveyancer drafts a transfer deed and sends to the Seller’s Conveyancer.

11.  Seller’s Conveyancer checks the transfer deed and sends to the seller for signature in readiness for completion.

12.  On completion the seller must vacate the property at a time to be agreed and make arrangements to hand over the keys, usually through the estate agent. Buyer’s Conveyancer will send the proceeds of sale to the seller’s Conveyancer and the seller’s Conveyancer will arrange for the keys to be released to the buyer. The seller’s Conveyancer sends the title deeds and transfer deed to the buyer’s Conveyancer together with an undertaking to use the proceeds of sale to discharge any existing mortgage. The seller’s Conveyancer then pays the estate agent (if one was used), repays the amount owing to the existing mortgage lender (if applicable) and takes payment for their Conveyancing service costs.

13.  Once all the payments have been made all the remaining money from the sale will be transferred to the seller, usually by bank transfer on the day or within a couple of days of completion.

Gillby1

Our buyers, vendor and I agreed an approximate exchange and completion date once all queries and searches were resolved. We then all sent them to our solicitors, who agreed it was doable. It helped that we were in contact with all parties throughout!

badger09

You returned paperwork to your solicitor on 25 May. Even if they have now responded to buyers' solicitor, its unlikely they will have have dealt with the response yet.

Do you know what your buyers' situation is? FTBs? Downsizers? Need a mortgage? Do you know how long searches are taking in your area? When were they requested?

Your first call should be to your EA who is being paid to sell the house. They should have a progress chaser (or something similar) who will contact purchaser/their solicitor to get up to date info. 

Good luck