Concluding missives in Scotland - how late is normal?

Eilidh1970

Although I've bought properties before, this is the first time I'm buying as part of the dreaded chain. Our solicitor encouraged us to agree a moving date with the other parties prior to conclusion of the missives, which wasn't the way round I would choose, but of course went with the expert's advice. Moving date is set for Thursday 13th November but still no missives concluded. Is this normal or worrying? 

sheramber

My missives were concluded at 7 pm the night before . 

theartfullodger

Sounds late but still possible.  Let us know what transpires 

Eilidh1970

sheramber said:

My missives were concluded at 7 pm the night before . 

That sounds terrifying!

HampshireH

Eilidh1970 said:

sheramber said:

My missives were concluded at 7 pm the night before . 

That sounds terrifying!

Sounds like you could be in the same boat. Not a game I'd want to be playing. I hope it all gets sorted

user1977

Eilidh1970 said:

sheramber said:

My missives were concluded at 7 pm the night before . 

That sounds terrifying!

Then I'd better not tell you about friends of mine who were selling and buying simultaneously a couple of weeks ago - pretty much the last thing to happen was conclusion of either set of missives, their flat was empty and money already being transferred before anything was signed up.

Eilidh1970

Thanks all. Today is our deadline for paying the solicitor's fees, so we're going to ask what the hold up is with concluding missives. I don't know what's going on with property sales in Scotland, but it doesn't feel sensible or right to be sitting here with a removal booked, our services due to switch off tomorrow, a solicitor expecting settlement of the bill and still nothing to say we are moving. 

Herzlos

It definitely feels like a terrifyingly last minute thing but it's pretty routine. 

You're also going to have to pay the solicitor fees anyway, so I'd get that out of the way unless you're waiting on money coming from your sale. 

sheramber

I had sold and moved in with family so was not a problem for me but my seller only got told at 7 pm that missives had been concluded.

They were moving themselves to a house two street away.  They  were not fully packed for moving as didn’t think it was going to happen the next day.  

I was told at 11am on the day I could now collect the keys from the seller, but, when I arrived they were still loading stuff into a car and a van and making several trips. 

They were somewhat stressed. 

I finally got the keys at 2 pm. 

Eilidh1970

Missives concluded at 4.20pm the day before the move, and a lesson learned to try and avoid becoming part of a chain next time!

EssexHebridean

Congratulations - I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow!