All I Want for Christmas Is… a Completion Date

“All I Want for Christmas Is… a Completion Date” - A (festive) conveyancer’s guide to getting you into your new home before Santa parks his sleigh on your roof by Thomas Keene, Senior Solicitor with MJP Conveyancing 

There’s something unique about a pre-Christmas home move. Perhaps it’s the promise of spending Christmas morning in a brand-new living room (even if you can’t yet find the kettle).

But achieving a pre-Christmas completion can require the kind of co-ordination that Santa’s little helpers excel at this time of year.

Fortunately, you hold more power to assist than you may think. With the following simple, decisive steps, you can help your conveyancer (us) transform the notoriously unpredictable conveyancing process into something resembling a well-timed festive miracle.

So, grab a mince pie and let’s unwrap the essentials.

 

1. Compile your Source of Funds information early (because Santa isn’t the only one checking lists twice)

Before we can get going, we must verify where your purchase funds are coming from. This is a legal requirement that cannot be avoided, so the sooner it is completed, the sooner the purchase can proceed.

But, every year, we see this result in delays in certain transactions. Statements missing, gifted deposits unclarified, savings scattered across accounts like Christmas decorations found in every cupboard except the one you expected.

Do us a favour and get this information ready as early as possible!

That means bank statements for all accounts from which funds towards the purchase are coming (at least six months’ worth initially), evidence of savings and clear explanations of any unusual transactions. The same will be true for anyone providing you with a gift towards the purchase.

Think of these checks in the same way you approach buying presents. Don’t leave it all to Christmas Eve!

 

2. Pay for your searches promptly (searches can be like post at Christmas and take longer than usual)

The little investigative elves compiling your search results work away behind the scenes to ensure you’re not buying a house that sits on a forgotten mineshaft, or a road scheduled to become an extension to the M25.

But they can’t get started until the searches are ordered, and crucially they can’t be ordered until they’re paid for!

In November and December especially, search turnaround times can stretch longer than the queues at the Boxing Day sales. The earlier you pay, the earlier the searches are ordered and the earlier the results can be received.

A simple rule is to treat the request for search payment like an advent calendar door and open it immediately.

 

3. Apply for your Mortgage and book your Survey early (not when the tree goes up)

One of the biggest causes of delay in a pre-Christmas push is waiting on the mortgage offer and survey.

Expect third parties to be a bit slower when everyone is simultaneously trying to beat the festive cut-off. Underwriters take holidays. Surveyors get fully booked. Processing queues grow.

Your job? Apply and order early. Ideally the moment your offer on the property is accepted.

Remember that a valuation can take time and may necessitate additional documents and follow-up questions. Companies may also enter a ‘Christmas slow-down mode’ when staff are on annual leave.

Treat early application like pre-planning the timings of cooking Christmas dinner. Your future self will thank you.

 

4. Keep the Estate Agents updated (because chains need more co-ordination than a Nativity Play)

If you are part of a chain, aligning everyone to complete before Christmas requires early and regular communication.

Estate agents are best placed to help keep sellers, buyers, solicitors, lenders, and removals companies in alignment on expectations. So stay in regular contact with them, and make sure they know your preferred completion target.

They can encourage other parties to proceed promptly, chase outstanding paperwork directly, confirm readiness across the chain and flag the first sign of anyone slowing down (or disappearing to a Christmas market).

 

In Conclusion: Help us help you become a new Ho-Ho-Homeowner

Achieving a pre-Christmas completion is possible, but it works best when you, us, your lender, your surveyor, and your estate agents all operate like a synchronised festive choir.

Follow these steps, stay proactive, and with a sprinkle of luck (and perhaps a mulled wine or two), you may just find yourself hanging stockings in your new home this Christmas.