How long from mortgage offer to completion?
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In short: Typically 8–14 weeks from formal mortgage offer to completion in England and Wales — conveyancing searches, survey, exchange of contracts and a fixed completion date. Chains and leasehold issues often push the total purchase to 12–16 weeks from offer accepted.
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The mortgage offer is only one step. Your solicitor orders searches (local authority, drainage, environmental), reviews the title, and reports to you. A survey may trigger renegotiation.
Exchange of contracts makes the deal binding and sets completion day — often one to four weeks after exchange. On completion, mortgage funds transfer and you get keys.
See our mortgage offer to completion guide and Stamp Duty calculator. First-time buyers should read the step-by-step buyer guide.
Primary source: gov.uk/buying-a-home
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