Realistically how long would completion take

Haigwrighr

Hi
I'm hoping to buy a property. Currently renting, owner moving in with partner so no chain anywhere.
Realistically how long could I expect the process to complete?
My deposit is currently sitting in a fixed term account and I cannot access the funds for 3 more months.
The house is perfect, in my desired area etc but I'd feel terrible to be purposely dragging my heels that long if completion is likely to be much quicker.

BarelySentientAI

Aiming for completion in 3 1/2 months would not be especially unusual.

Tiglet2

Without any details about what you are buying, it's impossible to say.  

Average timescales are 10-12 weeks freehold, 12-14 leasehold.

Mr.Generous

My estimate would be mimimun 3 months, probably 4 1/2 months if straightforward, any slight complications 6 months.

Maahes

On a no chain purchase I exchanged 2 months and 1 day after my offer was accepted. I could have completed at the same time if I wanted to (I didn't as I needed to give notice to a landlord).

jonnydeppiwish!

Haigwrighr said:

Hi
I'm hoping to buy a property. Currently renting, owner moving in with partner so no chain anywhere.
Realistically how long could I expect the process to complete?
My deposit is currently sitting in a fixed term account and I cannot access the funds for 3 more months.
The house is perfect, in my desired area etc but I'd feel terrible to be purposely dragging my heels that long if completion is likely to be much quicker.

Shortest was 2 months - cash purchase, no chain, no occupier.

Last was almost 5 months.

3 months is fine, just as long as your solicitor is aware

newsgroupmonkey_

My last house purchase was 5 months with no complications in 2022 (chain was us, our FTB, our seller moving in with partner, that's it)

Realistically, if it's a flat or leasehold property, you'll be struggling to get everything through in under 4 months.

If I could give you a piece of advice, don't hand your notice in until you've exchanged. Even if that means having to pay for both rent and mortgage. The alternative is being homeless.

propertyrental

I Exchanged 11 months after agreeing a price.

A bit of a tangent, but are your funds in a fixed interest account or a notice account? In either case is there a penalty (and how much) for early access?