One of the most common questions we get asked in the conveyancing department is ‘how long is my transaction going to take?’ to which our response is ‘Unfortunately, we cannot advise at this time due to every transaction being unique and many factors being outside our control’. Several legal articles currently suggest the national average is between 16-20 weeks for freehold properties and 20-24 weeks for leasehold properties.

Here at Thatcher + Hallam, we understand buying and selling a property can stir up a lot of emotion such as excitement and stress making the timeline seem slow and protracted. Here are a list of things you can do to ensure the process is as efficient as possible:

Our top tips for speeding up the conveyancing process

1. Obtain and check your quotes carefully

All conveyancing quotes differ, so make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. This helps to avoid delays, as you will know up-front the exact services you are receiving – and helps you to understand your legal requirement to pay for services such as mortgage transfer fees and land transaction tax.

2. In case of a sale, instruct a solicitor when you market your property

This will allow your solicitor time to get the initial formalities out of the way, this includes providing ID, filling out the initial paperwork, placing your solicitor in funds and providing documents relating to the house such as building compliance certificates. This will allow your solicitor draft the sale contract as soon as the selling agent provides the memorandum of sale. This can cut days or even weeks off

3. When purchasing a property, instruct your solicitor as soon as your offer has been accepted

Solicitors have a legal obligation to check identification and proof of funds before any further actions can start. Make sure you have bank statements ready to prove how you gained your deposit (e.g. savings, gifts from parents, inheritance etc). Also, ensure you have you have a mortgage offer in principle so there are no delays with obtaining your mortgage offer.

Prepare your identification documents too – this can be a driving licence (full or provisional) or passport, and household bills can prove your current address.

4. Reports and enquiries

When you’re selling a property, it is likely the buyers solicitor will raise enquiries regarding the property, it is important you provide written responses together with any necessary paperwork to your solicitor as soon as you are able.

When you’re buying a property, make sure you read all your reports and order a survey sooner rather than later. This will help you to flag any issues with the property early in the sale, allowing you to raise enquiries and get them answered by the vendor efficiently. 

5. Management packs

If you’re selling a leasehold property or a freehold property on a managed estate, make sure you ask for the management pack. These types of properties tend to be run by management companies to whom homeowners pay a service fee to maintain shared areas.

Waiting for the management packs can cause delays, so ordering this as soon as you accept an offer on your home can help to cut waiting time before you get the keys to your new home.

Here to help for your conveyancing journey

Our conveyancing team provides excellence in conveyancing services with many satisfied customers. Don’t believe us? Check our our ratings on Review Solicitors.

We offer fixed fee pricing transparency, advice and a first time buyers scheme to get your foot firmly on the property ladder.

For an instant conveyancing quote call us, email us, contact us via our website or try our free instant quote calculator.