Hoping to Move Before Christmas or in the New Year? Now Is the Time to Start Planning

Hoping to Move Before Christmas or in the New Year? Now Is the Time to Start Planning

Hoping to Move Before Christmas? Now Is the Time to Start Planning

For many people, moving into a new home before Christmas or just afterwards is an important goal.

Whether you are hoping to be settled in before the festive period, want to start the new year in a new property or are simply keen to keep your move progressing, September is a good time to get organised.

Every property transaction is different and there are never any guarantees when it comes to completion dates. However, there are several things buyers and sellers can do to help avoid unnecessary delays and put themselves in the best possible position for a smooth move.

Instruct Your Conveyancing Solicitor Early

One of the most useful things you can do is instruct your conveyancing solicitor as early as possible.

You do not necessarily need to wait until every detail of your move is finalised before beginning the process. Having your solicitor ready means they can start gathering the information they need and explain what will be required from you once the transaction is underway.

Whether buying or selling, getting the paperwork prepared early can help prevent avoidable delays

Get Your Paperwork Together

Property transactions involve a significant amount of documentation, so being prepared can make the process much easier.

Depending on whether you are buying or selling, your solicitor may need identification documents, information about the property, mortgage details and source of funds relating to the transaction. The source of funds and evidence of how you have accumulated any wealth are particularly important, and it can be time-consuming to gather the documentation. If you have been gifted any funds, the giftors will also need to provide evidence that this money was earned legitimately

If you are selling, it can be useful to gather paperwork relating to any work carried out on the property, guarantees, planning permissions or building regulations documents.

The sooner this information is available, the sooner your solicitor can progress matters.

Arrange Your Finances as Soon as Possible

If you are buying with a mortgage, having your finances organised early can also help.

Obtaining a mortgage agreement in principle before making an offer can give you a clearer idea of what you can afford and may help demonstrate to sellers that you are in a position to proceed.

Once an offer is accepted, dealing promptly with any requests from your lender, mortgage broker or solicitor can help reduce unnecessary hold-ups.

Respond Promptly to Questions and Requests

There are several points during the conveyancing process when your solicitor may need additional information or instructions from you.

Responding promptly can help maintain momentum.

It is worth keeping an eye on emails and ensuring your solicitor has up-to-date contact details, particularly if you know you are going to be away at any point during the transaction.

If you are unsure about something you have been asked to provide, speak to your solicitor rather than leaving it unresolved.

Be Realistic About the Property Chain

If your move involves a property chain, your completion date will also depend on the progress of other buyers and sellers.

A chain can only move as quickly as its slowest transaction, so delays elsewhere can sometimes affect your plans even when everything relating to your own property is progressing well.

Your solicitor and estate agent can help keep you updated and communicate with the other parties involved, but it is important to remember that some elements of the process are outside your control.

Searches, Surveys and Enquiries Can Take Time

Once a purchase is underway, there are a number of important checks that need to be completed.

These can include property searches, mortgage valuations, surveys and legal enquiries.

These stages exist to protect you and help ensure you have the information you need before committing to the purchase, so they should not be rushed simply to meet a preferred moving date.

Starting early, however, gives more time for any questions or issues to be dealt with before you reach exchange and completion.

Keep Your Solicitor Updated

Plans can change during a property transaction.

You might agree a preferred completion date, change your mortgage arrangements or discover information about the property that your solicitor needs to know.

Keeping your conveyancer informed means they can advise you properly and take any necessary action as soon as possible.

Good communication between you, your solicitor, your estate agent and your lender can make a considerable difference to how smoothly the transaction progresses.

Planning a Move Before Christmas?

If you are hoping to complete before Christmas, starting the process as early as possible gives you the best opportunity to keep your move on track.

While nobody can guarantee a particular completion date, being organised, dealing with paperwork promptly and having the right legal support in place can help minimise avoidable delays.

At francis george solicitor-advocate, our conveyancing team can guide you through the process of buying or selling a property, keeping you informed at every stage.

If you are planning a move, speak to our team today and take the first step towards getting your property plans underway.