How to Prepare for an Early Spring Move: A Realistic Guide for Property Buyers
If you are in the process of buying a property, you may initially have hoped to be in your home by Christmas. However, unless your conveyancing is well underway with a confirmed pre-Christmas completion date, it’s unlikely to be realistic. That does not mean you have missed your chance to move soon. In fact, planning for a New Year move and using the coming weeks wisely could put you in a much stronger position to complete in early spring.
In this blog, our experienced Residential Conveyancers explain why an early New Year completion is often the smarter choice at this stage, and what you can do now to prepare if you want to be moving in early spring. We also explain why instructing us now but waiting until the New Year to move house could be the smarter choice.
The Reality of December Conveyancing
Currently, buying a house in England and Wales typically takes between eight and twelve weeks from offer acceptance to completion. As we are now only a few weeks away from Christmas, unless your transaction is nearly complete, completing in December is unlikely to work for most buyers.
Even if you have already spoken to a mortgage lender, made an offer on the property, and had it accepted today, you would likely be looking at:
Stage 1: Week 1 – 3: Instructing your conveyancing solicitor, organising initial paperwork, and ordering property surveys.
Stage 2: Weeks 3 – 6: Waiting for local authority searches (which could take longer in December).
Stage 3: Weeks 6 – 8: Raising enquiries, negotiating any issues found in the survey or property searches, and finalising your mortgage offer.
Stage 4: Weeks 8 – 12: Exchange and completion.
This timeline assumes everything goes to plan. No delays, no complications, no one taking time off during December. It also assumes there are no issues with the property or with your mortgage application.
While some property transactions can run smoothly without any issues, trying to rush the conveyancing process in December presents additional challenges. For example:
- There are typically fewer working days: Many offices close between Christmas and New Year, making December a short working month. Some people take the entire second half of December off. Even if your conveyancer is working, the other party’s solicitor might not be. The local authority search team might be operating at half capacity, slowing down response times and service levels.
- Responses may be slower: Even people who are working are often dealing with a backlog and trying to clear their desks before the holidays. Everything takes longer.
- Harder to book appointments and services: Surveyors are booked up. Mortgage brokers are busy with end-of-year applications. Estate agents are juggling multiple clients, all trying to complete before Christmas.
For a detailed breakdown of what’s involved in the conveyancing process, see our guide on the steps involved in conveyancing.
Why a New Year Completion Might Make More Sense
If you accept that you will be completing in January, or later in the new year, rather than December, you can use the next few weeks productively. This can make your move smoother and help you avoid unnecessary pressure or rushed decisions. A New Year’s completion can give you the chance to:
Get everything in order now. While things are quiet over Christmas, you can gather all your documentation, sort out your finances, and make sure everything is ready to go. When January arrives, you will be well-prepared, helping to speed up the process.
Book your survey early. Contact a surveyor now and book an appointment for the new year. You are more likely to get an appointment for early January, and you won’t be competing with the post-Christmas rush.
Instruct your solicitor before Christmas. Even though you won’t complete until January or later, instructing your solicitor before the end of December means they can start the initial work, order searches, and get the ball rolling. This puts you in a strong position for a quicker New Year or early spring completion.
Think ahead about practicalities. If you are selling as well as buying, it’s worth considering removals, timelines, and any overlap with tenancy or schooling if applicable. Planning these early makes the spring move less stressful.
Don’t rush the process: Property transactions are complex legal processes. They involve multiple parties, significant amounts of money, and life-changing decisions. Getting it right is more important than getting it done quickly.
Our experienced local conveyancers are happy to start work on transactions in December, even if completion won’t happen until the new year. It means we can hit the ground running in January and get you moved as quickly as possible.
For more detailed advice on preparing for conveyancing, read our article on how to speed up conveyancing or conveyancing jargon explained, a guide for buyers and sellers.
What if the Property is Empty or You Need to Move Quickly?
If you are buying an empty property without a chain, a faster completion in the new year (or even January) could be possible.
For example, if the seller has already moved out and isn’t in a chain themselves, or the property is being sold as part of probate, you might be able to move very quickly. Furthermore, if you’re a cash buyer or have your mortgage offer already confirmed, the process can be much more straightforward. In these situations, the usual delays don’t always apply, and a quicker completion could work. You will still need to speak with your solicitor regarding a realistic completion date and how fast they can process the transaction for you.
There may be other legitimate reasons why you might need a faster move in the new year. For example, if you have been renting and your lease is ending in January, the seller is pushing for a specific completion date, or if other circumstances require a quick sale. In these situations, talk honestly with your solicitor about what is achievable. While we can’t promise a miracle, we can prioritise your transaction and do everything possible to meet your deadline.
Residential Conveyancers in Gloucester and Cheltenham
At Langley Wellington, our experienced residential conveyancing solicitors will give you honest advice about what’s achievable and what isn’t.
If a swift New Year or early spring completion is realistic for your circumstances, our team will work hard to make it happen. If it isn’t, we will tell you that too and provide honest, practical guidance to help you plan for a smoother move as soon as possible.
Cotswold Conveyancing Centre – Local Property Solicitors
Langley Wellington has a dedicated department, Cotswold Conveyancing Centre, specialising in buying and selling residential property.
From here, our experienced conveyancers in Gloucester and Cheltenham provide you with market-leading services and adopt a pragmatic and straightforward approach that puts you at the heart of your property purchase.
We also offer a no-move, no-fee service, giving you peace of mind that if your transaction doesn’t complete, you won’t be left out of pocket.
To speak to us today, please call 01452 545 678, email lawyers@langleywellington.co.uk or fill in this contact form.
This blog is not intended to be taken as advice or acted upon. If you are seeking legal advice, please get in touch with our team of solicitors.
