How long does it take to move house?

So, after months of searching, you have found your dream home and your offer has been accepted. What can you do to help ensure your sale progresses smoothly?

There are many reasons why even an apparently straightforward sale may take longer than it should. However, there are a few things you can do, to ensure you’re not the ones causing the delay in the house buying process.

Get your finances straight

Perhaps most importantly, make sure you know you can afford the house before you put your offer in. You need to know, and be able to prove how much deposit you have, where it is coming from and whether the funds are secured. Also, if you aren’t buying the property outright, make sure you know you can borrow the balance of money you need to make up the difference. Having a ‘mortgage in principle’ agreed shows the sellers you are serious and that you have the funds in place, or at least have access to them.

Know which companies you are using

It also helps to know who you are using for your conveyancing, mortgage, survey and removals. The more prepared you are, the quicker you can progress with the paperwork and planning, once the sale has been agreed. There are many companies out there to choose from and the prices will vary from company to company. With so much choice, it makes sense to speak to people you know and trust and see if they can recommend anyone that they have used in the past.

Have a realistic move date in mind

You need to be realistic about how long a property transaction takes. Solicitors generally suggest you need 10 – 14 weeks to complete on a property once they have been instructed. This is not guaranteed, and until you have exchanged contracts you are unlikely to get a firm date from them.

Get your survey done quickly

Your survey is probably one of the most important aspects of the pre-purchase activity. The type of survey you will need, depends on the type of house you are looking to buy. Get your survey done as early in the process as you can, as if there are any issues with the building, you will want to either negotiate on the price or possibly get some quotes from builders to get the work rectified.

RICS-approved companies, such as ourselves, can provide you with the right survey to meet your requirements. The surveys range from a Home Survey Level 1 Report, most commonly used for surveys on conventional properties, which purely reports on the condition of the property. The Home Survey Level 2 (Survey only) Report, provides more detailed information on the condition of the property and includes a valuation. Finally, the Home Survey Level 3 Report, also includes detailed information about the structure and fabric of the property. This type of survey is advisable for large, older properties, properties in poor condition, or if you are planning to carry out renovation work or major structural changes or extensions.

For more information on our surveys and get a quote, complete this form today.