Hi

I couldn't find the 'Ask an Expert' section so posted on here!

We are currently in a situation of buying and selling houses and are the last of the chain to be ready. The survey on the house we are buying came through on Friday and is fine, just waiting for the solicitors to confirm their agreement of this.
Does anyone know roughly how long it takes from this point to signing and exchanging contracts?

:confused:

It depends on a number of things I think. Have you had the land registry and council searches through yet - they seem to be one of the longest things? Could be 4 weeks to completion could be longer your solicitor is the best person to ask.

How long's a piece of string?

We managed to move into our present house, exactly three years ago, in a space of around 4 weeks. This was down to a number of factors, including the fact that upon seeing the property we had our offer accepted (verbally) there and then.

I also made personal trips to our solicitor's offices on Campo Lane ensuring any forms I received through the post that morning were back on my solicitor's desk the same day. You also have to keep pushing, phoning your solicitor and if need be, becoming a pain in the rear if necessary.

You're looking for exchange of contracts; that's when you know you're on the final straight - the home straight:thumbsup:

Allowing for weekends, when solicitors' offices are closed, and any up and coming bank holiday, I'd say you could still be a fortnight or so away - but I hope it's sooner.

Good luck!

Thanks for those replies!

I'm unsure if those searches have been completed yet so will be ringing the solicitors shortly.

Unfortunately I'm asking in the hope it is still a while away. Since all has happened my job is now suspect and I'm unsure if we can afford to move!
The longer I have to find another job the better... :rolleyes:

Hi

Our first move took 6 weeks from start to finish
Our second move took 18 weeks from start to finish and we were 9 weeks over due moving in so it all depends.

solicitors always blame the council for the lateness of the local authority searches. its all bs as you know, to cover up for their own mistakes.

I have been told that ,if there was no mortgage involved, the speediest that a conveyancing transaction can be done is 48 hours..
i think we would all be happy with that wouldnt we?
You can do your own searches on the internet.It is the offer from the mortgage Company that takes the most amount of time.Then , you have to wait to get an appointment to go in a nd sign the contracts, which again takes time.then they have to be exchanged. which again takes time..Then they have to request the money..which again takes ime..You get the picture?

Originally posted by espadrille
I have been told that ,if there was no mortgage involved, the speediest that a conveyancing transaction can be done is 48 hours..
i think we would all be happy with that wouldnt we?
You can do your own searches on the internet.It is the offer from the mortgage Company that takes the most amount of time.Then , you have to wait to get an appointment to go in a nd sign the contracts, which again takes time.then they have to be exchanged. which again takes time..Then they have to request the money..which again takes ime..You get the picture?

Like you say it is possible in 48 hours or even less if you use title indemnity insurance whereby you take out an insurance on the title as it is rare that there is a problem, the premium is quite low - about the same as the search fee and guarantees you and/or your lender to hold good title and saves ages waiting for responses from the council. I think this is becomming more common and is likley to speed things up.