The nervous wait to exchange....

[Scam]

Yeah IKEA mattress on the floor and plastic garden furniture in the living room job for me too, delivery times on everything is 10-14 weeks!

We do have two garden chairs and two armchairs actually. So it's not the end of the world. I think no dining table is possibly more annoying.

If someone gets in your bubble just step back and stand there, they soon get the point.

I'm sure shops are fine, bit we're in London so it's the tube that's a bother. We did actually try to go to Westfield yesterday but couldn't because the central line was screwed up. Glad we didn't because there was a massive anti-lockdown protest that ended up there!

 

[Delvis]

We do have two garden chairs and two armchairs actually. So it's not the end of the world. I think no dining table is possibly more annoying.

I'm sure shops are fine, bit we're in London so it's the tube that's a bother. We did actually try to go to Westfield yesterday but couldn't because the central line was screwed up. Glad we didn't because there was a massive anti-lockdown protest that ended up there!

Ah ok fair enough, I forgot I love outside of a city so popping to a garden center or whatever is a lot easier

 

[Skillmister]

One request for an update each week is far from unreasonable, there should be some movement week on week especially now we're 4 weeks away from the deadline, and if there isn't that's a red flag that somebody in the chain isn't pulling their finger out....

Not necessarily given that people at the top of a chain can be weeks if not months behind people at the bottom due to the ridiculous concept of not being able to offer on properties unless you've sold your current property.

I literally have start of chain purchases that have been ready to go since before Christmas and we're waiting on top of chain. I've lost my **** on more than one occasion with agents who chase me (and my clients) on matters like that.

 

[rG-tom]

Not necessarily given that people at the top of a chain can be weeks if not months behind people at the bottom due to the ridiculous concept of not being able to offer on properties unless you've sold your current property.

I literally have start of chain purchases that have been ready to go since before Christmas and we're waiting on top of chain. I've lost my **** on more than one occasion with agents who chase me (and my clients) on matters like that.

At some point the (current) top of the chain needs to take a view and move into rented IMO, I couldn't personally cope with the chain being held together by nothing but goodwill. We certainly offered to do that if at any point our purchase and sale got more than a month or so out of sync

 

[ChrisD.]

Not necessarily given that people at the top of a chain can be weeks if not months behind people at the bottom due to the ridiculous concept of not being able to offer on properties unless you've sold your current property.

I literally have start of chain purchases that have been ready to go since before Christmas and we're waiting on top of chain. I've lost my **** on more than one occasion with agents who chase me (and my clients) on matters like that.

Exactly this. If I ring my Solicitor every 2 days (and every other one of his clients does) he's never going to get any actual work done. He has told me that the proposed date of the 18th of June to complete by our onward chain is doable and if there's any updates he'll let me know. I'm not going to chase him, as far as I'm concerned 18th is happening and in which case we'll be exchanging contracts at the end of the week. If it's not doable, he will be in touch. Nevertheless my mrs is going to ring him this afternoon but I'll be willing to bet money he'll confirm exactly what we already know.

Conveyancing takes time (my ex was a conveyancer), if you use a reputed firm then chasing doesn't really achieve much at all beyond making the process take longer. Especially in the current climate where every man and his dog is moving house.

 

[rG-tom]

That sounds absolutely insufferable!

We had our offer accepted 21 April, (accepted a new offer on 28 April after our first buyer fell through due to new cladding issues), and exchanged 28 May with completion set for 16 June, and this was more than long enough for our liking.

We had comms with our solicitor a couple of times a week at least (substantive ones, not for the sake of it), and we sent out end-of-week status emails every week so the whole chain knew where each moving part was up to, who had actions outstanding etc. This worked really well.

Whilst negotiating with the people we're buying from, at one point they tabled the idea of them buying a house that wouldn't be built until October, and we just said right ok if you won't move into rented, we will, as stopping our buyer from getting the place for 6 months is ridiculous. Luckily they ended up getting a new build that was already finished instead

 

[ChrisD.]

Nevertheless my mrs is going to ring him this afternoon but I'll be willing to bet money he'll confirm exactly what we already know.

Pretty much this, with the exception being that he is still waiting for the sellers solicitors to send him the transfer deed to sign and he only received most of the remaining documentation either at the end of last week or early yesterday despite chasing them most days.

I've since told their target/commission chasing estate agent to get back in his box and ask the sellers to chase their solicitors.

 

[Arsonist]

Hurrah!

Completed on my first house yesterday afternoon, 3 bed semi (dormer) with decent garden, detatched garage, lovely area of town, outstanding primary school within walking distance. The dream really!

Although had a good look around last night now it's empty, oh there's a fair bit of work to do! A few years of work-in-progress stuff, but certainly livable right now. Very happy!

 

[Scam]

Very happy!

Congratulations!

 

[rG-tom]

Hurrah!

Completed on my first house yesterday afternoon, 3 bed semi (dormer) with decent garden, detatched garage, lovely area of town, outstanding primary school within walking distance. The dream really!

Although had a good look around last night now it's empty, oh there's a fair bit of work to do! A few years of work-in-progress stuff, but certainly livable right now. Very happy!

Congrats! Owning a house is a never-ending WiP isn't it?

 

[Jonnybmac]

Has anyone had experience with Accord or Yorkshire Building society doing a second credit check just before closing?

I'm wanting to buy a sofa on interest-free credit, but not sure if they do another credit check before completion, as this will obviously show up and could potentially cause problems with the mortgage.

Sofa is on a 6 week lead time currently and I'm due to complete before this already

In addition - I took out a mortgage application around February time. I've noticed interest rates have dropped slightly. Can I get my mortgage advisor to switch me to a cheaper plan or am I too late in the process?

 

[flea.rider]

my lad should complete within 10 days .. first house and buying himself ..small 3 bed .. 95k .. nocked them down from 105k .. they wanted a quick sale .. full structural on monday ..just to be sure

 

[ChrisD.]

In addition - I took out a mortgage application around February time. I've noticed interest rates have dropped slightly. Can I get my mortgage advisor to switch me to a cheaper plan or am I too late in the process?

You're free to change the mortgage product but be aware you'd have to go through another full application even with the same lender. If you're close to exchange it's probably not worth the hassle.

I don't think lenders give a toss about the odd credit check here and there for furniture finance, telecoms companies etc. But if you have 15 searches for loans, credit cards etc they would most likely decline you. They'll mainly look at affordability (income vs expenditure), house value, CCJs, etc.

By the way if it's a simple mortgage application you don't really need a broker, it's simple enough now to find one yourself an apply direct online.

 

[montymint]

I'm 5 weeks into (hopefully) a short and straight forward chain (cash buyer > my buyer > me > my seller > new build (they're renting until feb)).

So far nothing much to worry about, my purchase is pretty much sorted (my solicitor is my best mate, so he ordered searches really quick) - just waiting on my buyer really.

 

[ChrisD.]

I'm 5 weeks into (hopefully) a short and straight forward chain (cash buyer > my buyer > me > my seller > new build (they're renting until feb)).

Very similar chain to me: cash buyer > my buyer > me > my seller > empty house. We started the process around the 12th March and due to exchange any day now. Good luck!

 

[montymint]

Very similar chain to me: cash buyer > my buyer > me > my seller > empty house. We started the process around the 12th March and due to exchange any day now. Good luck!

Oooh exciting! I always want to chase my solicitor but there's really no point - I know he'll wattsapp me when there's actually something.

I really need to start boxing stuff up

 

[rG-tom]

You're free to change the mortgage product but be aware you'd have to go through another full application even with the same lender. If you're close to exchange it's probably not worth the hassle.

You shouldn't have to, Lloyds made it very clear we could change products right up to completion without going through application again

 

[ChrisD.]

You shouldn't have to, Lloyds made it very clear we could change products right up to completion without going through application again

Yeah, you’re right. I changed with Nationwide and it was sorted with a quick phone call. I think it’s when you change the amount you have to apply again.

 

[Jonnybmac]

Thanks guys I'll give them a call next week

 

[Lonewolf]

Since accepting an offer on mine I haven't yet seen anything worth viewing. How long is acceptable to keep looking for your next home and keep your buyer waiting?