After weeks (or let’s be honest, months) of paperwork, phone calls, and a rollercoaster of emotions, completion day is finally here! But what actually happens on this all-important day? Is it all smooth sailing, or should you brace yourself for last-minute chaos? Let’s break it down—without the legal jargon and unnecessary stress.
First Things First: What Is Completion Day?
Completion day is moving day, the grand finale, the moment your house sale officially becomes a done deal. It’s the day when all the money moves hands, the keys are handed over, and you either celebrate with a glass of bubbly or frantically Google ‘how to assemble flat-pack furniture.’
Sounds simple, right? Well… mostly! Here’s what actually goes down:
The Morning Rush: Money, Money, Money 💰
Your solicitor (who has basically become your pen pal at this point) will send and receive a lot of money. The buyer’s mortgage lender releases the funds, which go through to the seller’s solicitor, and once everything is confirmed, the property officially changes hands.
🎉 What this means for buyers: You’re now the proud new owner—congrats! But don’t start measuring for curtains just yet.
💼 What this means for sellers: You’re no longer responsible for the property, so you can finally stop worrying about whether the boiler will randomly give up on life.
The Middle of the Day: Key Handover 🔑
Once the money has been received and everything is legally sorted, the estate agent gets the green light to release the keys. This is when the real excitement (or panic) sets in—because it’s time to actually move!
🚛 For buyers: Get ready to sprint to your new front door like you’ve won the lottery—or at least send a very excited message to your removal company.
📦 For sellers: Hopefully, you’ve packed up already, because once completion happens, you need to be out. No last-minute brew in the old kitchen—it’s time to move on!
The Afternoon: Moving Madness Begins 📦
For buyers, this is when you step inside your new home for the first time as the official owner. Cue a mix of emotions—excitement, exhaustion, and slight panic when you realise just how much stuff you own.
Sellers, on the other hand, are probably doing one of three things:
- Sitting in a new home surrounded by boxes, wondering where the kettle is.
- Sipping a well-earned drink, relieved it’s all over.
- Calling their solicitor because something unexpected has cropped up (hopefully not, but hey, it happens).
The Evening: Finally, It’s Yours 🏡✨
By now, the dust is settling (literally, if you’re moving in). Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, completion day marks the start of a new chapter—so make sure to take a moment to celebrate. Even if that just means sitting on the floor, eating takeaway, and wondering why you own so many cables with no idea what they’re for.
Completion Day Survival Tips 🚀
✔ Sellers: Be packed and ready to go before the day itself. Trust us, nobody wants to be shoving things in boxes while a buyer is waiting outside with a moving van.
✔ Buyers: Have your solicitor, estate agent, and removal company on speed dial—just in case.
✔ Everyone: Expect the unexpected. Delays can happen, so try to keep calm and go with the flow.
So, there you have it—completion day decoded. It’s a big day, but with the right team (and a bit of patience), it should all go smoothly. If you need any help getting to this stage, you know where to find us! 😉
