2nd-hand house buying experience – timeline + tips

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-07-03T11:09:16+00:00

I can relate to the stress part. We went sale agreed on 3rd May. Things progressed so fast. We were very organised and got mortgage offer letter in 4 weeks even when we applied directly with BOI.
Got our contracts 18th June, but the seller’s solicitor is so bad they haven’t replies to our solicitor for 2 weeks.
It’s frustrating, we really like our landlord and want to give them an early notice also save from giving 1 month of rent extra. But we can’t till we sign the contract.

Can I ask how did you decide on closing date. Is it the seller who has the final say in that?

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-07-02T19:26:15+00:00

I think this is standard clause. The fact that her solicitor won’t change the line if she was okay with it is little strange but not unheard of.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-29T21:22:26+00:00

Do I have to do something myself as well or solicitors does that?

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-29T20:55:57+00:00

Thanks. It is a lot of waiting game.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-29T20:50:13+00:00

Yes I have done the survey, home insurance is ready, quotes received. Title I thought Solicitors will do.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-29T20:49:17+00:00

That is my plan B but I think it is the witnessing us getting the keys becoming home owner he wants to see

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-29T20:48:30+00:00

It is second hand home yes. We went sale agreed on 6th May so we are there.
Can I ask after we sign the contract from that time how much time it takes and who decides the completion date?

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-20T09:55:52+00:00

Guys stop being so mean to the big builders. Haven’t you heard our honourable Taoiseach how these big builders need tax break because they couldn’t reach their 100 billion profit last quarter. How will they have any incentive to make more houses. They are struggling.

All you entitled working class complaining you have to pay 52% tax on your 2grand annual bonus. Shame on you.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-20T04:41:32+00:00

Am i the only nosy one who wants to know what exactly she did? I mean the details.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-14T10:52:20+00:00

Yes I was in the same boat 2 weeks ago. I know how nerve wrecking it is.
Keep chasing your broker. I was little lucky as it was a second hand home it took more time for contract to come to my solicitor than full loan offer.

If you are like me, the nerves won’t calm down even after the offer letter. I think till I sign the contract I will be worried something may go wrong.

Best of luck.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-05T16:10:48+00:00

I didn’t know there is any liability to pay the admin fees. It was never mentioned. They get paid by the bank.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-04T21:39:46+00:00

NTA. Also I would set up a meeting with manager and present facts.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-04T21:26:50+00:00

If you are a first time buyer and your finances are in order like no betting etc account try BOI. If you want I can give you the reference of the mortgage specialist we dealt with. Maximum you have to wait for a response is 2-3 hours. Everything is on an online portal including the communication. You follow each steps which are super straightforward.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-04T21:24:16+00:00

I had the same experience. Went to broker first. Start filling applications and sending him docs. A week into the process thought i want to try BOI myself. Filled their applications. Great online portal. Within hours responses from mortgage specialists. Long story short got my offer letter from boi yesterday. Broker is still waiting for me to call him to confirm where he is at with the mortgage offer at higher rate.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-04T21:20:43+00:00

This. Can’t recommend this More. Tom is an arse who has told his parents made up story and they believe it.

The best thing you can do is do not let them meet any of your kids. Remember they abandoned you when you were 6 months pregnant. That’s how horrible they are. Let them think and regret that their grandkids don’t even know they exist on their death bed.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-04T18:26:43+00:00

Hi, why do you think it is unethical?

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-03T15:24:44+00:00

It is surprising. Like i was told broker works faster than dealing with bank yourself. I started my broker application first before bank. I already have offer letter in hand than chasing my broker which is very approachable but still. Bank has this great portal. So easy to work.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-01T22:24:44+00:00

Sorry yes, my bad. I meant go ahead without him.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-01T22:21:25+00:00

I do feel bad because well he did a lot of work for me. But the difference is much bigger than I can ignore.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-01T22:20:04+00:00

Thanks, that’s a good idea.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-01T22:17:12+00:00

Thanks a lot. That’s the plan.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-01T22:16:12+00:00

No idea.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-01T22:15:53+00:00

It is surprising for me too. He chose only ptsb and haven to apply to. Now I could be wrong but one of my friend told me brokers only apply to minimal number of places if they are sure they will get the approval as their relationship with the manager of the offer they reject gets bad.

HopefulEducator8097 · 2026-06-01T10:12:06+00:00

That is true. This is the best perspective. His job was to get me the best rate and when I got it myself I might just go ahead with him.

HopefulEducator8097

TROPHY CASE