Estate agents are being urged to get vendors legally prepared earlier as buyers hoping to complete before Christmas enter a narrowing window to get transactions under way.
Conveyancing specialists at Attwells Solicitors say buyers targeting a pre-Christmas move should ideally have instructed a conveyancer by mid-September, with delays involving searches, enquiries, surveys and missing paperwork capable of pushing transactions beyond the festive period.
But the advice also puts renewed focus on the role agents can play before an offer is accepted by encouraging sellers to assemble property documentation and instruct legal representatives earlier.
Having warranties, guarantees and other relevant paperwork available at the outset can allow conveyancers to begin work more quickly and reduce the risk of avoidable enquiries emerging later.
EARLIER PREPARATION
Laura Catania (main picture), Partner and Head of Conveyancing at Attwells Solicitors, says buyers and sellers can improve their chances of completing on time by preparing before a transaction gathers momentum.
She 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.”
Potential hold-ups include problems identified by surveys, delayed local authority searches, outstanding enquiries, title issues, mortgage delays and incomplete paperwork.
Chains can add further complications where another buyer or seller is not ready to proceed.
AGENT ROLE
For agents, encouraging vendors to prepare earlier could help reduce the period between agreeing a sale and getting the legal process properly under way.
Catania says: “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.”
The advice comes as the wider property industry increasingly explores bringing information and legal preparation forward in the home-moving process rather than waiting until a buyer has been found.
CHRISTMAS DEADLINE
Catania concludes: “For anyone hoping to wake up in their new home on Christmas morning, the worst thing you can do is leave the process until the last minute.
“While some aspects of conveyancing are outside a buyer or seller’s control, starting early and being proactive throughout the process can help minimise delays and increase the chances of completing before Christmas.”
