Average property chain length - How long is a chain?

If you’re buying or selling a home, one of the big questions that might cross your mind is, “How long is a property chain?” The answer isn’t straightforward—it can range from just two properties to a complicated web of eight or more buyers and sellers. And, as you might expect, the longer the chain, the more chances there are for things to slow down or go wrong.

On this page, we’ll break down everything you need to know about property chains. We’ll look at the typical length, how long the process takes, and why some chains seem to drag on forever. Whether you’re part of a simple chain or a more complex one, we’ve got tips to help you navigate it without losing your sanity.

We’ll also explore what happens when chains break, how to avoid them altogether, and how to keep things moving if delays crop up. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect—and how to make the best of it.

What is the average length of a property chain?

The average time to complete a house sale is usually two to three months, according to the government website. But let’s face it – if you’re part of a property chain, things can take a bit longer.

Honestly, it’s one of those “how long is a piece of string?” questions. Every chain is different. Sometimes, there’s only one other property involved, which keeps things pretty simple. Other times, chains can involve eight or more buyers and sellers, which naturally adds a lot more moving parts and potential for delays. 

On average, most property chains involve up to three properties. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you might expect:

• Simple chains: With up to three properties, the whole process — mortgages, legal checks, sales — takes about four months. It’s still a bit of a wait, but manageable.

• Complex chains: If there are more properties involved or hiccups along the way (like a sale falling through), it can stretch to six months or longer.

Now, before you start panicking, remember that a long chain doesn’t automatically mean disaster. Plenty of longer chains still run smoothly, as long as everyone is organised and on the ball. And while chains do sometimes break, it’s not as common as you might think. Even if it happens, many issues can be sorted out quickly with the right support.

The key is to ask questions, stay in the loop and work with cash buyers to get your sale back on track if it falls through. Whether your chain is short or long, with a bit of patience and flexibility, you’ll get there in the end.

Does it matter how many houses are in a property chain?

Absolutely — it makes a big difference. The longer the chain, the more complicated things get, and unfortunately, the higher the risk of something going wrong. All it takes is one delay – like someone struggling to get their mortgage approved, for the whole chain to grind to a halt. And when that happens, everyone involved feels the impact.

While there are no official records of the longest property chain, our Acquisitions Manager, Raphael Kaye, once shared an incredible story about saving a chain with 22 linked transactions from collapsing by using our cash buying service. Can you imagine that? With so many moving parts, it’s amazing the whole thing didn’t fall apart. That’s the reality of long property chains – the more links, the greater the risk of delays or complete breakdowns.

The problem is, figuring out how many houses are in a chain isn’t exactly straightforward. You won’t always have a clear picture of how long the chain is — or how secure it is — until you’re already part of the process. It’s one of those frustrating quirks of buying or selling a home through estate agents.

That said, there are ways to make it a bit easier to handle:

At the end of the day, property chains are a bit like a necessary evil in estate agency buying and selling. They can be stressful and unpredictable, but with a bit of patience and some smart planning, you can navigate them without losing too much sleep.

Why does it take so long to buy a house with no chain?

Even when there’s no chain, buying a house can still take longer than you might expect. It all depends on a few key factors—how efficient the solicitors are, how motivated the buyer and seller are to keep things moving, and whether the buyer is waiting for a mortgage or funds to be sorted.

That said, buying without a chain is definitely quicker than dealing with one. If everything runs smoothly, you’re looking at completing within about one to two months. However, delays can still crop up, especially if there are issues with a mortgage application or if the legal paperwork takes longer than expected.

Now, let’s talk about why property chains are such a hassle. One of the biggest frustrations is that they can break. If someone else in the chain pulls out—whether or not it’s directly linked to your sale—it can throw the whole process into chaos, delaying everyone. That’s why chains are often dreaded; they’re unpredictable and completely out of your control.

The silver lining? By avoiding a chain altogether, you’re already dodging one of the biggest headaches in buying a home. With the right professionals and a bit of patience, buying a chain-free property is usually much quicker and far less stressful.

Should you buy a house in a chain?

Let’s be honest — property chains can be a real headache. If you can avoid buying in a chain, you absolutely should. It’ll make the whole process much easier and a lot less stressful. 

But the reality is, chains are often just part of buying or selling a home the traditional way. While it might not always be possible to steer clear of them, there are a few things you can do to make life a bit simpler:

Sometimes people in the chain find creative ways to speed things up too, like temporarily moving in with family to keep the process moving. It’s not guaranteed, but it happens!

The bottom line is, while chains can make things more complicated, they’re often unavoidable. The key is to minimise the hassle where you can. With a bit of planning and the right choices, you’ll get there — and hopefully with fewer bumps along the way.

How easy is it to fix a broken chain?

Being part of a property chain can be incredibly frustrating, especially if it breaks. But the good news is, there are ways to fix it—or at least reduce the chances of it happening in the first place.

One option is to change your approach. Instead of trying to sell your current home and buy your next one at the same time, you could sell first and then rent somewhere temporarily or stay with friends or family. It’s not ideal, but it removes a lot of the pressure from the chain and gives you more flexibility.

Alternatively, you could sell your house to The Property Buying Company. By selling directly to us, you can completely remove the stress of a property chain. We buy homes quickly for cash, meaning you don’t have to rely on other buyers, sellers, or lengthy processes. This approach is particularly helpful if you’re stuck in a broken chain and need to move forward without delays or uncertainty. It’s a hassle-free solution that can save you time and effort.

Another way to simplify things is to consider buying a new-build property. New builds often don’t come with an ‘upward chain’, meaning the seller isn’t reliant on anyone else to move. This can make your buying journey far easier than those further down the chain.

If you’re looking to prevent a broken chain from the start, pricing your property competitively can really help. Setting a lower asking price compared to similar homes in your area could attract more buyers and encourage a quicker sale, reducing the risk of the chain breaking.

Selling to a first-time buyer is another great option. First-time buyers aren’t part of a chain, so the chances of them dropping out of the sale are much smaller. Plus, they’re often ready to move quickly, which can help speed up the whole process.

While a broken chain can feel like a major setback, there are steps you can take to fix it or avoid it altogether. With a bit of planning and flexibility—or by choosing a quick and simple sale with The Property Buying Company—you can keep things moving and make the process much less stressful.