We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Pulling out if chain too big
Options

F37A
Posts: 333 Forumite

Hi
I'm looking for a quick deal on a new property chain free ideally as I've had a seller on a previous property waste my time / energy and money. I've found this new property. I'm overpaying by 15k on the property. Currently two properties in chain and chain not complete. If person at end of chain doesn't want to break the chain and hence it will end up with 3 properties or 4 properties in chain then should I just pull out.
I'm sick of time waster sellers and feel the longer the chain its just doomed and will take forever to get a deal done. I mean how long would it take if you had 3 properties or 4 properties in a chain. Around 4 month wait for a deal is acceptable to me. Don't want to start an application and then realise they gonna increase size of chain to the point that things will take forever or chain will break. I've already have 6 months wasted by a seller taking me for a ride.
Thanks
I'm looking for a quick deal on a new property chain free ideally as I've had a seller on a previous property waste my time / energy and money. I've found this new property. I'm overpaying by 15k on the property. Currently two properties in chain and chain not complete. If person at end of chain doesn't want to break the chain and hence it will end up with 3 properties or 4 properties in chain then should I just pull out.
I'm sick of time waster sellers and feel the longer the chain its just doomed and will take forever to get a deal done. I mean how long would it take if you had 3 properties or 4 properties in a chain. Around 4 month wait for a deal is acceptable to me. Don't want to start an application and then realise they gonna increase size of chain to the point that things will take forever or chain will break. I've already have 6 months wasted by a seller taking me for a ride.
Thanks
0
Comments
-
If only it were that simple. 😔
there are no guarantees with anything. Even with no chain, things don't run smoothly. Probate properties, those requiring power of attorney when it wasn't arranged when things were easier or just delayed new builds spring immediately to mind.You can't dictate a time, sadly. You might improve your chances with a small chain, but there's never anything like a guarantee.If you want to buy, you just have to go with it.Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
5 -
3 person chain here.. 3 months in and not anywhere near completion.. there are no guarantees0
-
Mine sold early Nov STC there is no chain as it’s an inherited property and we aren’t buying anything and the buyers are first time buyers
So we are almost 3 months and search have been done but not finished
hopefully maybe another month - 6 weeks0 -
Am sure there were 6 or so in my last chain. It was a bit stressy towards the end, and wasn't quite so easy agreeing a completion date, BUT... I've been far luckier with long chains. Had a few short ones collapse.
The process didn't take any longer, only the end deciding dates. Had a longer gap of 3 weeks or so I think.
If you think about it, most things by everyone are done simultaneously. It's not like the bottom link does something, then the next, then the next, etc... Shouldn't really add too much. Things like leasehold properties are more likely to slow a chain.
Totally unpredictable though. It definitely wouldn't put me off if it was the right house.2024 wins: *must start comping again!*1 -
How long is a piece of string with the conveyancing process regardless of chain status. No way to estimate x properties in chain might equal x months to complete. Even pre-pandemic when I first bought four years ago I was ftb/chain free buying a chain free property and it took six months.0
-
F37A said:
I'm sick of time waster sellers and feel the longer the chain its just doomed and will take forever to get a deal done1 -
You could have a chain of 15, all on the ball and efficient with everything dealt with ASAP.You could have 2 in a chain and 1 is useless so everything takes 3 times as long.A party in a purchase can lie, 'we're not buying' 'we're cash buyers' etc.It's frustrating when you fork out money on aborted transaction that is killed by the other party's incompetence.May you find your sister soon Helli.
Sleep well.2 -
My concern is that I do another whole mortgage application and then seller at end of chain does a runner. Since I would have a mark against my credit report it may put me at a disadvantage to getting application accepted for a new property0
-
F37A said:My concern is that I do another whole mortgage application and then seller at end of chain does a runner. Since I would have a mark against my credit report it may put me at a disadvantage to getting application accepted for a new property
You can normally just extend or apply to the same lender. Unless you credit is terrible another hard check months after the first isn't going to derail anything.2 -
I suppose you need to just look at risk factors. As everyone says, there is no guarantee. A long chain will of course pose a bigger risk, but there are other key elements, like inflexible vendors / buyers, ' under' valuations, people just getting cold feet, slow solicitors.
But, of course a longer chain pushes the risk up. It's one element that you can decide on almost immediately. I think it's much riskier as it involves people and emotions. Two things you cannot control.2
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.4K Spending & Discounts
- 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.8K Life & Family
- 256.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards