Estate Agent Today has reported that estate agents are being warned that buyers and sellers will continue to experience “lengthy waits” for valuations and surveys, as well as delays in conveyancing, for the foreseeable future.

Conveyancing Alliance Group, a conveyancing supplier, said it is vital for agents to manage expectations as delays in reaching exchange and completion continue to grow.   The firm says it has noticed an increasing number of potential transactions being hindered by lengthy waits for valuations and surveys to be carried out.   John Philips, sales director at Conveyancing Alliance, said: “The good news is that most agents, particularly in the South-East but also across the country, are likely to have seen an increase in business activity particularly since April and May.

“The bad news is that this increase is testing the resources of all those involved in the property process, especially around the delivery of surveys and valuations, and in the conveyancing market for the smaller, local solicitor firms not set up to deal with larger volumes.

“As pipelines are growing, so are the delays in getting to exchange, which always leaves frustrated clients.

“This is without doubt exacerbated for those clients using agents who are not taking control of the process or are refusing to provide honest information.   “Some agents have their heads in the sand if they don’t think a four-week wait to get a survey is going to have an effect on their client’s exchange date.

“It will, and we anticipate that the current delays being faced will carry on throughout the rest of the summer.”