Want to Be in Your New Home by Christmas?
Moving house can be a complex and stressful process, with delays at various stages potentially putting completion dates at risk. Government data shows that the average home purchase takes around 120 days to complete, while around one in three property sales fall through, costing sellers an estimated £400 million each year.
With Christmas now just a few months away, the clock is ticking for buyers and sellers hoping to be in their new home before the festive season. The conveyancing process can take several weeks to complete, and issues with searches, mortgage applications or paperwork can extend the timeframe further, making it important to start the process as early as possible.
To help buyers and sellers stay on track, Laura Catania, Partner & Head of Conveyancing at Attwells Solicitors, has shared a conveyancing timeline, key deadlines and practical tips for those hoping to have the keys to their new home before Christmas.
Here’s when you should start if you plan to move in before Christmas
Laura says: “Buyers hoping to be settled in their new home before Christmas should ideally instruct a conveyancer by mid-September. Starting the process early gives you the best chance of completing before the festive period and provides some flexibility if unexpected delays arise.”
The key stages of the conveyancing process
Instruct your conveyancer early (as early as possible)
Getting a conveyancer on board as soon as possible means you’re ready to begin the legal process once an offer is accepted. This is particularly important for anyone hoping to complete before Christmas.
Arrange your mortgage
Your lender will assess your application and issue a formal mortgage offer. You’ll also be advised to arrange buildings insurance ahead of completion.
Review searches and enquiries
Your solicitor will review the results of the searches, raise any necessary enquiries and work through any issues identified during the transaction. Delays commonly occur at this stage due to survey findings, search results, or unanswered enquiries.
Exchange contracts (once all enquiries are resolved)
Once all parties are satisfied and ready to proceed, contracts are exchanged and the transaction becomes legally binding, and a completion date is formally set.
Completion
This is when the property officially changes hands. The buyer’s solicitor transfers funds to the seller’s solicitor and, once payment is confirmed, the keys are released. On a purchase, any Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) or Land Transaction Tax (LTT) due is paid to HMRC and the application to change ownership is sent to HM Land Registry.
What can cause delays?
While most property transactions progress smoothly, there are several factors that can cause delays. These include:
Problems uncovered during a survey
Delays with local authority searches
Outstanding enquiries about the property
Issues with the property’s title
Problems securing a mortgage offer
Missing or incomplete paperwork
Delays elsewhere in the property chain
One party in the chain not ready to begin the exchange process
Delays in transferring funds before completion
Laura adds, “While some delays are outside your control, buyers and sellers can help keep transactions moving by having all relevant property documents ready before a transaction starts (including warranties and guarantees), responding promptly to requests, whether from their solicitors, estate agents or financial advisors and returning paperwork quickly”
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