Longer conveyancing timelines are increasing the risk of mortgage offers expiring before completion. In a Lyons Bowe Solicitors survey cited by Mortgage Strategy, 42% of recent homebuyers identified conveyancing as the largest source of delay. This is especially significant when lenders are repricing frequently and borrowers may face a less favourable rate if an offer must be renewed.
For adviser firms, case management now needs to extend beyond submission and offer. Clients should understand the practical consequences of delays, including potential re-underwriting, refreshed affordability checks, valuation issues and changes in product availability. Regular communication with conveyancers, estate agents and lenders can become a material part of delivering a good client outcome.
AI opportunity: workflow tools can flag cases with approaching offer-expiry dates, identify document gaps and create structured client updates. Firms must ensure that automated status messages are factually reliable and that high-risk cases receive a human review rather than an automated reassurance.