Buying a property is exciting, and once your offer has been accepted it's only natural to want everything to happen as quickly as possible.
One of the questions we're asked most often is:
"Why is my purchase taking so long?"
The simple answer is that a property transaction doesn't depend on just one person. It involves a number of different people and organisations, each carrying out their own part of the process before your purchase can move forward.
Whilst your conveyancer will continue progressing everything they can, there will often be stages where they're waiting for information from others before the next step can be taken.
The Short Answer
Every property transaction is different.
Some purchases progress quickly, whilst others take longer because they're waiting for information, documents or replies from one or more of the people involved.
A delay doesn't necessarily mean something has gone wrong. More often than not, it simply means one part of the process is still being completed.
The Explanation
Conveyancing isn't a single task—it's a series of legal investigations, checks and communications that often happen at the same time.
During your purchase, your conveyancer may be waiting for:
- Property searches to be returned.
- Replies to enquiries from the seller's conveyancer.
- A mortgage offer from your lender.
- Information from a managing agent or freeholder.
- Survey results.
- Documents from the seller.
- Confirmation from the Local Authority or other organisations.
In many cases, several of these things are happening simultaneously.
Your conveyancer will continue progressing every aspect of your transaction that they can, but some stages simply cannot move forward until the necessary information has been received.
That's why two transactions, even on the same street, can progress at very different speeds.
Common Questions
Has something gone wrong if I haven't heard anything for a few days?
Not necessarily.
There are often periods where your conveyancer is waiting for information from third parties. During this time, they may also be reviewing documents, progressing other aspects of your transaction or preparing for the next stage.
If there's something you need to know or we need information from you, we'll be in touch.
Can my conveyancer speed things up?
Your conveyancer will do everything they reasonably can to progress your transaction, including chasing outstanding replies and keeping in contact with the other parties involved.
However, they can't control how quickly third parties respond.
What causes the biggest delays?
Every transaction is different, but common causes include:
- Waiting for search results.
- Delays in receiving mortgage offers.
- Outstanding enquiries.
- Leasehold management information.
- Property chains.
- Missing documents.
- Waiting for all parties to be ready to exchange.
Top Tip
One of the best ways you can help keep your purchase moving is by responding promptly whenever your conveyancer asks you for information or documents.
Did You Know?
A straightforward purchase may involve communication with your mortgage lender, the seller's conveyancer, estate agents, search providers, surveyors, managing agents, freeholders, HM Land Registry and several other organisations—all before you receive the keys.
Common Misconception
"My conveyancer is doing nothing because I haven't had an update."
Much of the work involved in conveyancing happens behind the scenes.
Your conveyancer may be reviewing legal documents, raising enquiries, checking replies, speaking with third parties or preparing reports whilst waiting for information that allows the next stage of the transaction to progress.
The MA Lawyers Approach
At MA Lawyers, we appreciate that waiting can sometimes be the most frustrating part of buying a property.
Our approach is to keep your transaction progressing wherever possible, communicate with the people and organisations involved, and explain matters in plain English.
Whilst we can't control how quickly third parties respond, we can ensure that your file continues to move forward whenever the opportunity arises. If there's a significant development, or we need something from you, we'll let you know.
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