Property conveyancing lead times
Discussion
TheAngryDog said:
Thanks folks.
Cheap I am trying to avoid, but I also don't want to pay mega money if they can't get us moved in by the end of March. I'm going to be calling round our local ones tomorrow with a view to instructing them tomorrow.
Im selling my place, got a quote from the Co-op just as I put our house on the market. They were cheap but they allocated the conveyancing to Premier Properties Limited who were extremely diligent in asking for the information they need. The Estate Agent also knew of them so I'm expecting the process to go well, at least on my end.Cheap I am trying to avoid, but I also don't want to pay mega money if they can't get us moved in by the end of March. I'm going to be calling round our local ones tomorrow with a view to instructing them tomorrow.
How long is a piece of string? We’re moving this week but it’s taken about 12 weeks. This is just a 3 property chain with everyone seemingly ready to go at outset, however, what you can’t plan for is people deciding to change their mortgage offers halfway through the process, 11th hour surveys or the inevitable radio silence from one of the parties or their solicitors. Should have been in well before Xmas, stressful/frustrating would be an understatement!
Don't forget that the lawyer/conveyancer acting for a buyer is also acting for the lender (if there is one) and they have a rack of checks to make applied by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Some of those checks seems pedantic in the extreme but it is often getting the answers to those that take the time.
Advice to all sellers should be if you get asked a question, answer it the same day. Get ready to produce mundane stuff like receipts for boiler servicing and we often recommend an electrical inspection (EICR) certificate as that stops all kinds of mucking around and price chipping.
Advice to all sellers should be if you get asked a question, answer it the same day. Get ready to produce mundane stuff like receipts for boiler servicing and we often recommend an electrical inspection (EICR) certificate as that stops all kinds of mucking around and price chipping.
Around three months or so has been my experience, assuming no major complications. You're very much dependent on the other party(ies) also not being cheap and having good solicitors, not trying to hide anything, and the surveys going smoothly though - which isn't always the case! I'm also in the process of buying and hope that this timescale is realistic!
Thanks all - we're resigned to the fact it'll likely be April before we move, which in some ways suits us and not in others, but it is what it is.
We have instructed solicitors now who have good feedback and aren't the cheapest on the pile, but not the most expensive either Let's see how that goes!
We have instructed solicitors now who have good feedback and aren't the cheapest on the pile, but not the most expensive either Let's see how that goes!
It's not just solicitors that need to get their fingers out, the agents have a big hand in making things go smoothly. The agent I'm using has a 'move manager' who takes over after the sales team has 'sold', I've had to give her a kick a few times to get some feedback and action, she blames solicitors and solicitors blame each other.
TheAngryDog said:
Thanks all - we're resigned to the fact it'll likely be April before we move, which in some ways suits us and not in others, but it is what it is.
I hate to say this and hopefully you will enjoy a perfect transaction but the harder you want the worse it all goes.A problem with having a first time buyer as your purchaser is that they have zero experience of the process.
It is highly likely that for either the sale or purchase there will be huge disappointment along the line and often with one affecting the other.
Are there any tips for finding a good conveyancer? When last moved 10 years ago I used the law firm my best mate worked at - a couple of times he had to go down to the conveyancing department and give them a nudge for me. Unfortunately he has now gone in house, so I am looking for a decent conveyancer, but starting from scratch.
Craikeybaby said:
Are there any tips for finding a good conveyancer? When last moved 10 years ago I used the law firm my best mate worked at - a couple of times he had to go down to the conveyancing department and give them a nudge for me. Unfortunately he has now gone in house, so I am looking for a decent conveyancer, but starting from scratch.
Ask local estate agents which firm of solicitors gives them the least grief / gets deals done.We are a few weeks in. Our agent we are buying through is keen to get us completed ASAP and has then on the "arse kicking" role to try and get things moving (they obviously want to be paid).
The Buyers seem to be progressing and the agents we have sold through say that it isn't impossible to be completed by end of March.
The issue is the solicitors, who seem to be moving at speeds that need time lapse to determine.
The Buyers seem to be progressing and the agents we have sold through say that it isn't impossible to be completed by end of March.
The issue is the solicitors, who seem to be moving at speeds that need time lapse to determine.
The national average period of time to get to exchange is 16/17 weeks (depending on which survey you read).
Of course some transactions do go through much quicker than this and some will take longer. It's why it's an average.
There are many factors. Not just lawyers being slow/fast although that can certainly be one.
In the few weeks ahead of the end of March, lawyers will be deluged with chasing calls and emails from clients, agents, other lawyers etc. Perfectly understandably. They can't be ignored in favour of getting through the actual work or many will be escalated and compliants raised taking up even more time. They will likely absorb most of the available time from most lawyers during this period leaving less time for the actual work. Conveyancing speed will likely reduce as a result.
For many weeks my firm has been turning away all work where any desire has been expressed for this timing to best preserve service levels for existing clients and try to retain the capacity to hit this deadline for them. Less income in the short term but preserves reputation for the longer term.
The lawyers in my firm are bracing themselves for 16+ hour days in the run up to the end of March.
We're not all lazy sods who only pick up a file when chased!
Of course some transactions do go through much quicker than this and some will take longer. It's why it's an average.
There are many factors. Not just lawyers being slow/fast although that can certainly be one.
In the few weeks ahead of the end of March, lawyers will be deluged with chasing calls and emails from clients, agents, other lawyers etc. Perfectly understandably. They can't be ignored in favour of getting through the actual work or many will be escalated and compliants raised taking up even more time. They will likely absorb most of the available time from most lawyers during this period leaving less time for the actual work. Conveyancing speed will likely reduce as a result.
For many weeks my firm has been turning away all work where any desire has been expressed for this timing to best preserve service levels for existing clients and try to retain the capacity to hit this deadline for them. Less income in the short term but preserves reputation for the longer term.
The lawyers in my firm are bracing themselves for 16+ hour days in the run up to the end of March.
We're not all lazy sods who only pick up a file when chased!
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