How easy is it to sell a house in a chain?

Selling a house in a property chain can be a nerve-wracking experience, often filled with uncertainty and complexities. A property chain is created when multiple houses are linked together, with each transaction dependent on the others. This interconnected nature can make the process unpredictable, as any delays or complication one link can ripple through the entire chain.

Despite these challenges, selling within a chain is a standard practice in the UK. According to Zoopla, 68% of properties sold on the open market are part of a chain, showing how common it is for buyers and sellers to navigate this process. However, with around one third of all house transactions falling through, many people face the frustrating reality of a stalled or failed sale.

If you are looking to prevent your property chain from falling through — you’re in the right place! Choosing The Property Buying Company as your buyer, could mean you can sell on a timeline completely tailored to you. We don’t need to wait on external financing and can buy your house when you need to sell – with a 99% guarantee.

How easy is it to sell a house in a chain?

Selling a house in a property chain can be more challenging than selling chain-free, but it’s a standard practice across the housing market. In fact, according to recent data from Zoopla, 68% of properties sold on the open market are part of a chain, making it a common experience for most sellers.

If you’ve been researching property chains, you may have encountered a worrying statistic: Around one third of house sales fall through, with chains often noted as the main contributing factor. 

Chain transactions are inherently complex, as they involve multiple parties whose circumstances must align for the sale to progress. Delays or changes in any link of the chain – such as a buyer pulling out or a mortgage offer falling through – can disrupt the entire process.

While these challenges can feel daunting, it’s important to remember that two thirds of property chain transactions successfully complete. This being said, if you’re concerned about the risks associated with a property chain, you could consider selling to a chain-free buyer like The Property Buying Company. 

We can buy your house in as little as 7 days, helping you avoid the risk of chains breaking or buyers pulling out. While chain-free sales may not always achieve the same market value as selling through the open market, the trade off can be worthwhile for sellers prioritising speed and certainty. 

Is it a good idea to sell a house in a chain?

Selling a house as part of a chain is a common practice in the UK housing market, but it’s not always the best option if you’re looking for a smooth and stress free process. A property chain involves multiple linked transactions where the sale of one property depends on the purchase of another.

While it’s a standard method of buying and selling homes, the interdependence of transactions significantly increases the risks and complications. 

One of the main challenges with selling in a chain is the heightened chance of delays or failures. The longer the chain, the higher the likelihood that something will go wrong. For example, a buyer in the chain may experience mortgage issues, a seller’s property might fail a survey due to defects, or someone could change their mind entirely and back out of the deal.

Any of these issues can create a domino effect, holding up or even collapsing the entire chain. For sellers, this can result in significant delays, additional costs, and the emotional strain of uncertainty.

In contrast, selling chain-free offers a far more straightforward and less risky experience. Without being reliant on other transactions, the process is often faster and more predictable. This is why selling chain-free is highly recommended whenever possible.

For instance, selling to a chain free buyer, such as a cash buyer or a property buying company, eliminates the risk of being held up by others. Similarly, targeting first-time buyers, who are not part of a chain, can help improve a smoother sale.

If avoiding a chain isn’t possible, it’s important to take proactive steps to reduce the risks. Making sure your paperwork is in order, staying in regular contact with your estate agent and solicitor, and choosing a reliable buyer can help mitigate potential problems. However, if you are particularly concerned about the risks associated with selling in a chain, exploring chain-free alternatives may ultimately save you time, money and stress.

What properties sell the best in chains?

Properties that sell well in chains are usually those that are less reliant on the actions of other parties in the transaction. For example, these properties don’t require the seller to buy an onward property or the buyer to sell an existing property to fund the purchase. Below is a detailed look at the best types of properties for chain transactions:

Properties with no upward chain

These properties are ideal for buyers because the seller does not need to buy another home to complete the sale. Common examples include:

• Second homes: A property that is not the seller’s primary residence.

• Rental properties: Properties sold by landlords exiting the Buy To Let market.

• Inherited properties: Homes passed down through inheritance, often sold as part of estate settlement.

Properties at the end of a chain

These are homes where the seller does not need to buy another property to complete their transaction. These could include:

• Temporary renters: Sellers opting to rent for a period before buying a new property.

• Retirees: Sellers who are looking to move into retirement homes or into their children’s property.

Properties attractive to first time buyers

First time buyers are usually chain free, as they do not need to sell a property to finance their purchase. This makes them ideal candidates for certain types of properties, including:

What problems can stop a house from selling?

When it comes to selling a house, there are a lot of things that can halt or even force a sale to fall through; from market supply, legal issues with the property, or buyer confidence. However, when dealing with property chains, even a minor issue can quickly escalate — what starts as a small delay in one transaction can cascade into a collapse of another, jeopardising the entire chain.

One of the greatest challenges of selling a house on the open market is the risk of the sale falling through. Statistics show that almost one third of all open market sales fail at least once, giving sellers only a 66% chance of success when relying on an estate agent.

For sellers, a failed sale can be a massive setback, especially for those who depend on the proceeds to move forward with their onward purchase. However, when selling to The Property Buying Company, this success rate soars to an impressive 99%. While we strive for perfection, the unpredictable nature of life means a 100% guarantee is impossible, but we come remarkably close.

At The Property Buying Company, we prioritise transparency and customer care to ensure the smoothest possible sale. If any issues arise during the process, we are committed to keeping you informed at every stage. Our experienced team works diligently to overcome challenges and make the sale as stress free as possible, offering you peace of mind and confidence in our service.

The unwavering dedication to our customers is one of the reasons we’ve successfully bought over 2,000 homes to date. Choosing us means more than just speed and convenience — it means partnering with a company that genuinely values your experience and is committed to achieving the best outcome for you. With our proven track record, you can trust us to handle your property sale with the care and professionalism it deserves.

How can you manage a breaking house sale?

A breaking house sale can be a stressful situation, but luckily there are some steps you can take to salvage the process and move forward quickly. Here are the best strategies to keep your sale moving smoothly:

Use a bridging loan

If the sale of your house is delayed or falls through due to financial complications on the buyer’s end, a bridging loan can help you stay on track. Bridging loans are short-term loans designed to provide immediate cash flow, allowing you to:

• Secure a new property before your current home is sold.

• Cover any urgent financial gaps, such as paying off outstanding mortgages or legal fees.

• Prevent the chain from collapsing if another link in the chain needs funding.

Keep in mind that bridging loans usually come with higher interest rates and fees, so it’s important to calculate the costs and make sure you can repay the loan once your house sells.

Changing estate agents

If your house has been on the market for a long time, or the sale fell through due to poor negotiation or a lack of offers, it might be time to consider switching estate agents. A fresh approach can bring:

• Improved marketing strategies, including better photography and listing.

• Access to a different pool of buyers through alternative advertising platforms.

• Improved communication and sales progression to keep the process moving.

Before making the switch, check your current contract for any time in periods or fees. Once free to do so, choose an estate agent with a proven track record of selling properties like yours.

Using a cash house buyer

If time is of the essence, selling to a cash house buyer is one of the quickest and most reliable ways to manage a breaking house sale. At The Property Buying Company, we are one of the UK’s leading cash buyers, and we:

• Do not rely on mortgage approvals, eliminating financing delays.

• Often buy houses “as-is”, meaning you don’t need to invest in repairs or staging.

• Can complete the purchase within days or weeks, depending on your timeline.

While we do offer slightly below market value, the speed and certainty of the sale often outweighs the discount, especially in urgent situations. By working with us, you are making sure you are looked after at every stage of the selling process – we are members of both The Property Ombudsman and the National Association of Property Buyers, which means we follow a strict code of conduct to ensure you are treated fairly. 

We have over 2,000 excellent reviews on Trustpilot, and we can buy your house in as little as 7 days, all while covering your legal & selling fees! Get started today.