Buying flat

GTR_King

I am a first time buyer! 

Buying flat off family member (Mum)

Started the process late November/early December with mortgage adviser (friend of family friend) who helped me get good rate with NatWest! Been very good so far! 

Solicitor we started process just before Xmas/early Jan mortgage adviser recommended them (Best in Norfolk/Cambridgeshire),

All documents given paid money for searches.

i last spoke to solicitor 25/4/25 (phone) she told me all searches have come back! Just gotta do report! 

Mortgagee advisors emailed me 28/4/25 saying can get £45pm off my mortgage which NatWest have accepted 

My mortgage offer runs out 2/6/25

what’s the likely hood I will complete by then? 

HampshireH

What is the delay?

I would have expected a purchase between you and your mum to have been quite straightforward 

We bought our house from our landlord somewhere between 6-8 weeks  from offer to completion. It wasn't a complicated purchase and so no need for delay.

Searches don't normally take 4 months. Really your solicitor is going to be the only one who can advise you.

david29dpo

Most likely management agents, usually very slow

GTR_King

Thank you don’t know why it taking ages lol 😂 will chase them up soon! 

HampshireH

david29dpo said:

Most likely management agents, usually very slow

Yes completely forgot about possiblity of an MA

GTR_King

Update spoke to solicitor today yay 🥳 

she sending me report forms for today (should be with me by end of the week) that I need to sign ✍️ & send back to her ASAP

She got one query to chase up! 

But completion should be before 2nd June 

GTR_King

Update:

My Solicitor has said ground rent/consent shouldn’t be an issue yay 🥳

NatWest/my solicitor is concerned about the transaction (flat purchase) is undervalued and want proof (before we can go further/complete) from mums solicitor when she bought the flat & how much for! but should be able to complete by 2nd June if they are prompt

For example Flat was sold in 2007 for £140k (on land registry website)

Late 2008/early 2009 the flat was repossessed by the owners bank who then sold it at a loss for example 78k to my mum. (not on land registry website)

2025 flat was valued at £125k-£140k I am buying the flat for £120k family discount per what mortgage advisor told us.

So let’s hope it’s a small blip & we can compete soon