What happens on completion day? Timeline?

ironlady2022

Hi, my chain includes 3 parties.

1) My Buyer
2) Me
3) My Seller (going to live with Parents)

So I know I need to wait for my Buyer's funds, so hoping this will be AM, and then my funds will then pass onto my Seller, hoping early afternoon? 

Separately, I have friend who has a small van, who is willing to do multiple trips (round trips is only 26miles) - does he start moving as soon as I have received the funds? And then place my personal possessions in front of my purchase?

I know there are many variables but trying to gage what happens on the day. Sorry first time house seller here, so not very sure about the detail.

jonnydeppiwish!

You need to have your house fully empty prior to completion there’s no going back and forth!

hazyjo

Only 26 miles? That's a lot! You absolutely need a bigger van to do this in one trip. I completed at 9.30am with my last purchase! It's usually all done by 1pm but could just as easily be 10am or 4pm.

Are you really considering leaving back your possessions unguarded outside someone's house for over an hour at a time before adding to the pile? Really not the best of ideas. They'll be trying to move out themselves for a start...

ironlady2022

Thank you. 

This is why I asked the question. Cos I was unsure. So it needs to be one trip. I've already packed up boxes and placed in my Parents' garage. It's just the rest of it. 

hazyjo

ironlady2022 said:

Thank you. 

This is why I asked the question. Cos I was unsure. So it needs to be one trip. I've already packed up boxes and placed in my Parents' garage. It's just the rest of it. 

Phew 😁  Yep definitely one trip.

I never really advise packing until exchange - are you there yet? Bit of a pain if it all falls through.

ironlady2022

hazyjo said:

ironlady2022 said:

Thank you. 

This is why I asked the question. Cos I was unsure. So it needs to be one trip. I've already packed up boxes and placed in my Parents' garage. It's just the rest of it. 

Phew 😁  Yep definitely one trip.

I never really advise packing until exchange - are you there yet? Bit of a pain if it all falls through.

I have Buyer's contract signed, responses on my queries from my Seller was due last Fr-. So just prepping ahead of time. I've only packed the basics, keeping it looking showroomy in case, as I am on Buyer no. 2.

babyblade41

I would avoid exchange & completion on the same day especially if this is new to you.

On exchange then pack everything up bar essentials , dismantle any furniture.

If you are moving yourself make sure the vehicle is big enough to take all your belongings in one hit, multiple trips is not acceptable .

You could complete early morning in which case you need everything loaded  in good time so up & load , .

You will maybe have to wait round the corner of your new place until you get the phone call that completion has happened. You can collect the keys from the exiting occupier if pre-arranged  but normally they are handed into the agents office & you collect from there 

TBagpuss

YEs, you need to make sure that eveything in the house will fit in the van in in one truip. Once you have exchanged contracts (avoid exhcange and completion on the same day if you possibly can) start packing. If at all possible, pack the van the night before completion day, except for your bed, and anything you need for breakfast. Pack up those things on the morning of completionnday and finish any last minutes cleaning of the house.

Then wait for your solicitor to tell you you have completed.

In most caes, you will have left one set of keys with the agents and thy will release them to your buyer once the solicitor confirm that compeltion has taken place, so you can move out physically - i.e. remove the last of your stuff and physically leave the house, before you complete. You will then need to either put the remaining keys back through the fdoor, or drop them off with the agents so they can all be passed on to the buyers. (or you can wait until they show up and hnd them over in person,although that's unusual) 

Once completion happens on your purchase you will need to pick up the keys to your new place  from the agents and then you can start unloading your stuff into your new home.

Ideally, this will happen in the morning but there are no gaurantees - it depends on eveything from how effieicnt all the solictiros and the banks are. Bear in mind that the conveyuancers will all probably be dealing with multiple other completions as well as yours so there may be delays while they all get in touch with each other (this is particuarly true if you are completing on a Friday)

While your sellers should be out and the house clear upon completion it doesn't always happen and you may rock up in your van and find they are still moving things out of the hosue, so be prepared for delays. If your marte with the van is willing, it can be useful to have abrief delay after completion before you start moving your stuff in so you can do any cleaning that may be needed befaore you start unloading and unpack - either way make sure that your vacuum, and lots of cleaning prioducts, are very accessible (along with the kettle, tea bags etc ) 

Dpn't forget to take final meter readings with photos at your old house and initial readings in the new one as the last / first things you do on leaving and arriving.