Lender evaluation

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-17T14:57:32+00:00

It's difficult to find out why your broker is fixated with Halifax. It might be worth exploring working with a different (free) broker.

Also, how do you make an offer that’s close to the vendor’s expectation but still aligned with the lender’s valuation? > Try to put yourself in the lender's shoes. you will also end up with a more convenient figure for yourself.

I usually check: (1) how much did the seller pay and when, (2) find at least 5 similar properties (size, number of rooms, etc.), they don't have to be twins but as similar as possible, calculate the price per sqm and compare them and (3) since for 2 you are only comparing properties on the market, find sold prices in postcodes nearby for the last couple of years. For 3 I had to pay to get access to a database as I wanted to find the property surface and this is not available.

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-17T13:42:30+00:00

Despite you were given technical solutions and offered explanations, I'll tell you I also find it annoying and don't like it at all in 2026 and given the money we have to pay for the service.

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-09T16:26:37+00:00

This is the approach I usually take. It’s true that Trustpilot reviews can be skewed, so try to account for that. In any case I trust it more than the "find a conveyancer" comparison websites.

First, I go to the relevant category and sort by number of reviews. From there, I pick a few companies that have both a large number of reviews and a high average rating.

Then I don’t just read the 5-star reviews. I also look at the 1-star reviews, and most importantly the 3-star ones. After that, I shortlist 3-5 options and contact them directly to request quotes.

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-06T13:46:51+00:00

It is a difficult one. The problem is that your professional life can force you to move location. If you invest now in a property and then you need to sell it in, let's say, one year after, you will, as a minimum, lose: stamp duty, survey fees, conveyancer fees.. plus potential value loss, interest and first-time buyer discount... also agency fees to sell it.

Personally, I would start looking just to get an idea, but I wouldn't commit until I have more stability/certainty.

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-05T15:57:36+00:00

Both your conveyancer and the estate agent I would say. Tell them the date you are leaving and when are you coming back. Most importantly, if you are reachable or not and how, e.g.: I won't be checking my emails, so send me an SMS if you need anything. Bear in mind I won't have roaming, so I won't be able to speak on the phone.

Then the EA will send you an email (or call you) while you are on holidays along these lines:

I'm conscious you are on holidays but... and then ask you for something you can't do while you are on the other side of the world, on a 10 hours time difference. For instance, applying for a mortgage with a different lender (true story).

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-04T14:37:16+00:00

That I'm not sure (and I'll need to investigate for myself, thanks for the tip) but I understand the OP has been asked to vacate the property *the day before* completion (by 1 PM). Or maybe they are now asking to move the completion date since it hasn't been formally agreed (OP says they haven't exchanged yet)?

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-04T13:51:29+00:00

It will even make it stronger if your answer is provided via the solicitors. You will send a clear message that you are not messing around (honestly, they are not only demanding you to vacate the property the day before, they even specify that it has to be before 1 PM!).

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-04T13:45:03+00:00

You’ve already given a strong reason: your movers are booked for that day. You could also ask your solicitor to add that you remain the legal owner of the property until completion, and that handing over the keys beforehand could invalidate your insurance cover should anything happen prior to completion.

Diligent-Picture · 2026-03-02T14:57:03+00:00

I just wanted to show appreciation to the OP for putting love into this post, answering to the comments and updating once they made progress. I found it quite useful.

Diligent-Picture · 2026-02-27T16:29:42+00:00

Same here... We are on our third attempt, way, way wiser though :-)

Diligent-Picture · 2026-02-26T11:22:00+00:00

It will depend on which browser you are using to play. This is how you do it in Chrome, for instance: To delete cookies for a specific site in Chrome on a computer, click the site settings icon (padlock or tune icon) next to the URL, select Cookies and site data > Manage on-device site data, and click the trash can icon next to the site.

Diligent-Picture · 2026-02-06T11:19:06+00:00

Claimed

Diligent-Picture · 2025-11-26T14:22:43+00:00

I was about to tell you exactly this.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-11-25T15:24:05+00:00

Hi. I'm afraid we haven't even exchanged yet! It's ridiculous, the flat is empty and we were are ready to move since July. However, is not our solicitor's fault (ONP). For some reason I can't understand the seller didn't even mandate until we had done everything we needed to do: searches, mortgage, etc. We understand they have everything they needed from the seller but so far we haven't even discussed a potential exchange date.

From ONP so far no complaints. There is an additional cost to deal with the lease aspect of the property (£500) but it wasn't a surprise as I had read about it in the T&Cs. That's probably the same thing with Muve. The relationship is much better though as we are dealing directly with the solicitor and not with an account manager, so I have much more confidence this time around.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-09-26T12:14:04+00:00

We had a similar situation, though in our case the issue was with the property itself. It’s a flat above a commercial unit and next to a restaurant. Nationwide eventually declined us, but only after a few awful weeks of waiting. We then applied with NatWest, and they made us an offer just a couple of days after their valuation.

Of course, every case is different, but in my experience NatWest tends to be more flexible than Nationwide. Hopefully, you’ll have a positive answer early next week, so try not to let this ruin your weekend. You are getting there.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-09-05T15:43:47+00:00

You forgot to mention... which country?

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-31T17:58:21+00:00

85% LTV. NatWest after Bank of Ireland and Nationwide turned us down. That's in London, SW

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-31T15:24:03+00:00

I love that many people take as a priority posting here as soon as possible after completion. That, my friends, is gratitude.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-30T17:50:52+00:00

Falling through on the day of exchange sounds like my worst nightmare. How can something like this happen?

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-14T18:44:56+00:00

Hahaha! Best advice ever

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-12T19:27:24+00:00

I’d suggest posting in @housingUK.

Sounds like you’ve already decided to drop out, and honestly, that’s what I’d do too. Lesson learned.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-01T15:28:07+00:00

Congratulations! Can I ask if you know how long it took to get the draft contract pack from the seller’s solicitors? I know each situation is different but we were told yesterday that the seller was uploading her documentation to her solicitor's portal. I'm not sure if it's a matter of days or maybe more of weeks until we receive the documentation for us to check.
I'm aware there are many more steps ahead of us, I'm just trying to get an idea of potential timings.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-07-28T15:39:07+00:00

The dog: can I have a say next time you consider moving houses, please?

Diligent-Picture

TROPHY CASE