Seller and seller's solicitors slow

FataVerde

Thank you, all! It's reassuring it's not an unusually slow process. I just sometimes get the sense the sellers are not serious about selling. Being gazumped is no fun.

[Deleted User]

4-5 months for leasehold is about right at moment.
A buyer being present for a survey is very unusual though 

EndlessStruggle

Your solicitors might be happy for you to transfer the money in super early. It'll be up to them if you can.

I did an inbranch transfer too and depending on your bank they might let you do it as a walk in. 

You might find that neither the seller or surveyor want you there. Especially with rising cases right now.

I spent the whole 5 months wondering if they were messing with me and were going to pull out or ask for more money but luckily it never happened and I still have no idea why..

(My property was undervalued significantly by someone. The valuation came back 31k higher and I offered the asking price)

FataVerde

EndlessStruggle said:

Your solicitors might be happy for you to transfer the money in super early. It'll be up to them if you can.

I did an inbranch transfer too and depending on your bank they might let you do it as a walk in. 

You might find that neither the seller or surveyor want you there. Especially with rising cases right now.

I spent the whole 5 months wondering if they were messing with me and were going to pull out or ask for more money but luckily it never happened and I still have no idea why..

(My property was undervalued significantly by someone. The valuation came back 31k higher and I offered the asking price)

I won’t be there for the survey, but asked the EA if i can take another quick look after the survey. And want to have a chat with the surveyor for a brief summary to know if he flagged anything. His written report will take 5-7 days and he agreed provided the owners are happy.

My delay in jan feb is also that I have really important family stuff to take care of and i just won’t be quick to reply so I just thought they should know. They might need to be patient in return

EndlessStruggle

My surveyor did an hour long phone consultation after before he sent the report so it wasn't a surprise and he explained some bits.

I also did another viewing after the survey to take a look at the things he had flagged up too and to see it empty.

Maybe tell them to switch to email contact and then you can just check email periodically, even if before sleep and it doesn't tie you to the typical 9-5 hours for phone calls.

FataVerde

EndlessStruggle said:

My surveyor did an hour long phone consultation after before he sent the report so it wasn't a surprise and he explained some bits.

I also did another viewing after the survey to take a look at the things he had flagged up too and to see it empty.

Maybe tell them to switch to email contact and then you can just check email periodically, even if before sleep and it doesn't tie you to the typical 9-5 hours for phone calls.

They agreed to the survey on Thursday so things are moving even if slowly. The EA forgot to ask if I can be there so she'll check with the owners. That's exactly what I plan to do to: see the place again, etc. The problem is that it won't be empty: it's full of furniture and people's stuff, clothing, like a lived in apartment. The surveyors apparently can't lift or remove anything (at least that's what this surveyor said) so if a problem is covered by furniture (like damp), I guess it won't come up in the report. 

FataVerde

EndlessStruggle said:

(My property was undervalued significantly by someone. The valuation came back 31k higher and I offered the asking price)

Who did the undervaluation and the new valuation on your property (was it the bank)? Maybe because my deposit is large, my lender did a remote survey and my offer did not include a valuation from the bank. The bank just said the property has to be at least worth x amount (about 40,000 less than the asking price, which is also what I offered). It's hard to judge the worth of this property because very few similar flats sold there recently, but factoring in the fact that it's share of freehold, the loft demised (for extension potential), and that prices have increased by about 20,000 this past year in that area, I think it's just about right.

hazyjo

I'll be surprised if the vendors agree you can be there for the survey. Homebuyer's or building survey? Tbh, what with Covid and all, I would prob say no. Doubt the surveyor would like it either.