If there’s one thing that can make buying a home way more stressful than it ever needs to be, it’s those delays. When you’re being held back, it can feel like time is moving in slow motion, and that frustration can quickly grow to the boiling point. While sometimes, you simply have to wait, there are some delays that you might be able to play a hand in shortening or preventing, and we’re going to look at some of them here.

Missing Or Unfinished Paperwork

Given how legally complex property transfers are, not having the right paperwork can be a huge drag on the process. You need to be able to provide proof of identity, proof of income, mortgage pre-approval letters, and so on. Make sure that you know everything you need to complete the sale in advance and have it all completed, set, and ready.

Not Having The Right Legal Support

When you agree on the sale, the process might be out of your hands, instead going through some mandatory legal steps before the home belongs to you. However, if you don’t have a solicitor ready to handle the conveyancing process, then things can’t go forward. Make sure that you choose lawyers who are responsive and have the capacity to take you on, as the wrong choice of legal representation can lead to more delays.

Mortgage Approval And Financing Delays

Of course, you have to be ready to actually pay for the property, as well. This can be an issue as buyers often underestimate how long it takes to apply for a mortgage, and will jump the gun with the house search before they have at least a pre-approval. If there are any changes in employment or changes to your financial information during the buying process, you have to inform your mortgage provider ASAP so that it doesn’t affect the sale.

Property Chain Issues

Aside from financing problems, there are other levers and switches that might need to be pressed or pulled to let your purchase go forward. Survey findings and last-minute work on the property can slow progress, especially if you’re waiting for transactions to complete before you’re able to go ahead with the purchase. To this end, staying in contact with your estate agent to make sure that they’re dealing with any disruptions can make sure that you’re not waiting in the dark. You can at least be informed and estimate a timeline.

Survey Findings

Sometimes, a home survey might uncover issues with the home that are a lot deeper than simple DIY, such as structural issues, damp, or roof damage. This can cause a delay if you need to renegotiate the home price or even give the seller time ot complete the work before you make your purchase, so you have to decide how much of a delay you’re willing to tolerate.

As mentioned, you can never fully ensure a smooth buying experience, as you can’t control the various elements that factor into a home sale. With the tips above, however, you can at least prevent some of the most common delays.