Person at top of chain happy to break chain?

hayabslee0

We're currently in the process of buying a house and are in a chain of 5. At the start of a chain is a FTB and the top end is someone moving into a new build. This person's house isn't going to be ready until the end of year! However, we've been told that when everyone else in the chain is ready, they're happy to break the chain and move into temporary accommodation.

Is this common? Do you think there's a chance we're being "strung along" in the hope that they can try and delay everything? I keep reiterating to the Estate Agent that providing everything else in the purchase goes OK, we really can't wait until November (and I doubt our buyer's will be too impressed, either).

We're considering keeping our options open and looking for other properties with no chain (just in case).

Lorian

I've been that person - and moved in to temporary accommodation for 4 months to keep a chain alive

For the three months pretty much everything stayed in boxes, and I'd negotiated a break clause available 3 months in to the 6 months tenancy agreement, so it cost me little apart from moving everything (myself) twice.

hayabslee0

Thanks, Lorian - so it is possible then, lol. I just didn't know how it all worked. So long as it's normal for that to happen, I can "try" and relax a bit. NEVER. MOVING. AGAIN.

G_M

Well there'sno guarantee they will break the chain until they actually do, and everyone Exchanges Contracts.

But string everyone along from May till December? No. Would not work.One or more people within the chain would lose patience and go elsewhere.

I_Kantski

We're in pretty much an identical situation to you with the top of the chain having found a new build that won't be ready until October. Luckily they own a second property that they can move in to when the rest of the chain is ready. It's pretty nerve-wracking having to put your faith in others and hoping that they will do what they have said they will. We also have the added pressure of a transaction near the bottom of the chain having a hard deadline of June 30th. Fingers crossed for you.