In time for Christmas

[jocelyn plummer]

After 11 long months and 3 dream houses down the line we have finally exchanged on a property that we first looked at December last year.Completion next Monday.

Victorian, not listed, double fronted, remains of an old garden. Will do some pics as soon as I can. Agent's details won't open and the pics I took last week are spoiled by wheeley bins.

Last week's debacle over the boiler has been resolved-- they had to re-apply for all the registration information.

If you are selling, or thinking of doing so, please, please, check that you have required paperwork in place/available for the Conveyancer . The failure of our Vendor's Solicitor to advise her that an essential answer was inadequate, caused a great deal of distress, expense and an unnecessary delay.

 

[Schoolmarm]

Wooooooo and indeed Hooooooo

 

[Lime]

Yes congratulations, always a good time with good feelings.

As for paperwork I agree with you.
However whether or not you, as purchaser, demand the paperwork is up to you.
Solicitors are there to advise and take instruction, not the other way round.

 

[Pford75]

Congratulations!

So we can expect mince pies at the house-warming :wink:

Seriously though, we all know how long and hard the search has been (especially in this market) and it must be fantastic to finally know it's happening. Can't wait to see the photos and so pleased that you will be in for Christmas.

Best wishes in your new home.

P

 

[skier-hughes]

Hearty congratulations

 

[Moo]

What brilliant news, Joss. Can't wait for the pictures (and an interesting 2009 as we follow your progress as you make it perfect).

Will you be 'in' in time for Christmas?

xxx M

 

[Flyfisher]

Congratulations Joss. What a long drawn-out process that was!

 

[Penners]

Phew! The whole saga has been unbelievable. As cash buyers, you ought to have had vendors kissing the ground whereon you walked.

However, you've made it at last. Congratulations! Your feet probably aren't on the ground at all!

 

[yamin]

Great news, congratulations! Solicitors are a PITA when it comes to conveyancing. If it didn't make me panic so I'd do it myself. Just ONE thing would make it all so much faster/easier - THEY COULD PICK UP THE PHONE TO EACH OTHER!!! Even banks aren't as slow at answering questions!!!!!

 

[Penners]

It's a national sport to moan about conveyancing solicitors - and one that I've indulged in myself.

But, to play devil's advocate, I think one has to remember that it's their job to look out for any possible pitfalls or nasties that might suddenly crop up and bite their clients.

And phone calls don't leave an audit trail. Above all, they have to have a record of every step of the process.

 

[yamin]

Right on both counts of course, Penners, but the last time I looked even our beleageured Royal Mail services managed generally to deliver 1st class letters in at least a couple of days - and we do pay handsomely for the services of a solicitor, which in my opinion means they should give us a better (and faster ) service! Limited experience of course, only moved 5 times which makes me a novice compared with some!

 

[Penners]

Yamin - I have feeling that much of what you say could also be aimed at Royal Mail. We pay handsomely for their services, too, and they could be better and faster.

'Beleagured'? In what way? Because the blasted British public insists on continually posting letters? :wink:

 

[yamin]

OK, I take back the beleaguered - tho maybe I was thinking more of our own poor postman! No, I really meant solicitors. Letters arrive DAYS before they act on them. 24 hr delay? OK. After that? I expect action, or don't take on the work! We are far too apt to shrink back behind our fear of getting it wrong (me included) even though conveyancing is not difficult (and I accept,its the unexpected complications we are guarding against), but we sit and accept far more delays/slow service/unavailibility than we would in any other area of our lives! Drove me mad. I spent ages on the phone chasing things up for them - no delay other than not getting around to it - on both sides! Its infuriating! :evil:

 

[Flyfisher]

While it is quite possible, tempting even, to handle all the convenyancing personally, I would always use a solicitor, if only for the level of professional indemnity they bring to the process. Many years ago my sister-in-law bought one of two flats in London that had been converted from a single house. Everything seemed to go smoothly (well, as smoothly as they ever do) and they moved in and started redecorating etc.

About six months later they received a letter from their solicitor explaining that a 'loose end' had not been properly cleared up and that, in fact, they had no title to the property. Worse, complications regarding the status of the conversion and outstanding debts owed by the previous owner/developer - who had 'gone missing' - meant that it was unlikely to be able to resolve things. The solicitor took full responsibility, refunded all their money, repaid their mortgage, paid all their decorating costs and also a lump sum as compensation for all the distress etc. Imagine if they had had done the conveyancing themselves.

But I absolutely agree with Lime's point that "Solicitors are there to advise and take instruction, not the other way round."

 

[Penners]

Yes, I tend to regard the solicitor's fee as a kind of insurance premium. It's cover against the risk of some unforeseen problem with your purchase of property.

 

[yamin]

Couldn't agree more, as I said, its wise to pay a solicitor in case of the above! My objection is not the fee, but the slow service! Just wanted to make that clear!

 

[Flyfisher]

Also, in my experience anyway, solicitor fees are not really that much in the grand scheme of most house moves, so I've always thought of them as pretty fair value for money.

But don't get me started on estate agent fees . . .

 

[Penners]

Estate agents? Oh yes - I remember them.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/t.../construction_and_property/article4628142.ece

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Interesting thread has developed again!

Must thank you all for the the cheers, expertise, cryptic comments and advice. It's been good to have a laugh through the murky waters of house buying.

I'll try to post a couple of rather unflattering pics... we are on dial up at the moment, very slowwwwww!

Next week will try to get pics of inside before we start filling it with boxes!

As you can see the render needs sorting, and again this site has made that possible, the garden is a good 120ft long, and I can't wait to reveal it's original layout. Typical little Bedfordshire outbuilding as well. I think the original victorian floor will be found underneath the wooden floors, and I am sure that I shall stem a huge debate about the stripped pine doors inside!!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

One more I hope