how long did it take you?

kunekune

Let's say we saw a house we liked and made an offer. Once that offer was accepted, when might we be looking at moving? Just wondering because my current approach is "not unless something wonderful comes up", something has come up but we have a small shortfall on the upfront cash front: so long as a purchase wasn't too fast, that wouldn't be a massive problem as we are continuing to save and we'll have enough in about 6 weeks, but I'd be hoping for it to take 3 months or more, especially as we are on an AST with a bit of time to run ... The ad does not say No Chain.

Oh, and please no replies saying 'prices are dropping'. I know that. That's not what I'm asking. Nor about the wisdom of still being saving when an offer is made.

Fred1_2

My experience is that 2 months would be absolute minimum for a house purchase to go through. Solicitors / conveyancers aren't the quickest of people - everything is still done by letter, not email or even fax. In fact they don't even pick up the phone to clarify something before confirming by letter, they write a letter asking for clarification.

3 months would be about the norm and if there is a chain involved, it could easily be a lot longer.

I suppose it must vary between areas of England & Wales, depending on the market conditions and efficiency of local solicitors / conveyancers and of course the situation is probably different in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where they have different house buying laws.

Gillibobs

Our move took pretty much around 3 months from offer to completion, we were in a chain of four. That was with Xmas in between

Doozergirl

Just tell them with your offer when you would like to exchange and complete.

Up front and honest means no surprises for anyone. Most vendors are relieved to find a buyer, if you say you can't move until 'x' then I'm sure that will be fine, unless they have people clambering over themselves to buy (doubtful).

Do give yourselves a nice bit of time between completion and your AST finishing as it means you can move at leisure - a LOT less stressful!

kunekune

Of course, I have to persuade DH to look at it first, these thoughts are very preliminary. But the location is nice and quiet, and it is one of the rare houses round here that is big enough - we need a study as I often work from home, and I also snore quite badly, so we're after four. And we do want a secure, enclosed garden. I think DH would like it, and it meets every one of his criteria except for timing and price (we wouldn't have trouble getting a 90% mortgage, well, shouldn't!!!). However, it may take a bit of work before I am allowed to go and see the house properly (did a walk past this morning).

It's on rightmove, but there are no pictures. On the birds eye view map, it's the house with an extension to the side with velux windows ... http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-10314498.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy


Doozergirl, you're absolutely spot on about the lack of stress if you don't have to move in straight away. One of the items in the financial calculation is 2 months rent on this place, so that there is no rush to clear up/arrange things. Somewhere else might need decorating too. I shudder when I see people trying to sell and buy instantaneously. We had an overlap when we moved in here, and although it was quite expensive, it was a lifesaver.

lostinrates

No advice kunekune, but I'm getting excited for you! Liek you we are saving but if the right plac came along we'd jump, I know it might not be prudent in medium term finances, but it would be good for other reasons. GOODLUCK