How long should it all take?

OK, we sold our house back in September. As in accepted the offer, got a solicitor (took DH a few weeks, admittedly), started packing, looked for a new house, all that sort of stuff.

We found a house and have had the mortgage agreed now. At the end of October - about 7 weeks after we got ourselves organised with a solicitor etc. (We were prepared to move into rented and so didn't mind the wait from the buyers our end initially.)

Our solicitor hasn't heard a word from our buyers, nor their solicitor. Well, they know they have one because they've written to say get a move on. We're organising surveys and stuff like that, no-one survey-wise has been round to our house to see it since we accepted the offer.

So how long should it be taking? Any ideas? I really want to be moved by Christmas, the buyers are first time buyers so I would have thought they'd want to be in sooner rather than later.

They may have financial issues. We had our offer accepted in July but due to issues with the bank didn't settle till late October

I'd be asking your soliceter to contact them to find out what is happening

Just thought I'd update.

We contacted and it took a little while to get back to us about this.

Buyers have pulled out. Apparently because of the lease. We got our solicitor to find out what's wrong with the lease... the problem with the lease is that the buyers can't get a mortgage. Hmm. And didn't tell us for over two months.

I will say no more because this is the internet, but I bet you're all mind readers.