- 30 Nov 2017
- •
- < 1 min read
Will your home move coast dangerously into the Christmas break?

Typically from the 1st of December there is the annual danger that the professional foot is distracted by the forthcoming Christmas break, and is removed from the home moving accelerator – leading to a slow coast into a Christmas break.
As a result, frustrated clients become unable to exchange or complete before the Christmas break – resulting in dinner table conversation over the holiday with such comments as ‘you don’t want to buy that!’ or ‘Are you really sure you want to sell?’.
Then come 2nd January, conveyancers can expect phone calls to say ‘oh no we lost our buyer’ or ‘sorry, the seller pulled out’.
So, what can you do to minimise this?
Firstly, make it crystal clear to your conveyancer, and the estate agent (email them both now) that you expect a pre-Christmas exchange, and you want to know which law firm in the chain feels they cannot achieve it, and why.
Secondly, make sure you are not going to be the cause of any delay – have you actioned your mortgage paperwork, is your survey carried out, have you any paperwork to send back to anyone still?
Thirdly, get a completion date target agreed now, as thus will focus everyone. Tell the estate agent and your conveyancer.
Fourthly, check if your conveyancer is open over Christmas, as we can still exchange contracts during the break.
Good luck!
If you are looking for conveyancing services in the South, our expert residential property solicitors based in Salisbury, Southampton, Poole, Bournemouth and Winchester are on hand to provide you with the legal help and guidance you need. Don’t hesitate to contact Partner and Conveyancing Solicitor Tim Higham, on 01722 426985.