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Will we ever get a house move happy ending?

6 replies

lightnesspixie · 13/04/2025 11:56

We have had five house sales collapse. One after exchange which is practically unheard of. That was our third. We had another one collapse before Christmas and another one last week. The last two times it seems affordability was an issue. The post exchange fell through on completion day when everyone had physically moved and were waiting for money to go through to be able to move in. The ppl at the bottom failed to produce the money. It was one of the worst most stressful days of our lives. I hear that sales collapse 30% of the time. After our fifth collapse we are losing the will .. lost jobs, lost income, lost expenses for surveys, conveyancing, legal fees etc .. even though we have been able to reclaim some we are still out of pocket. Our house has been reduced and appears hugely competitively priced compared to local similar - and it’s never that we don’t get offers, just that subsequent to these the chains collapse. We are trying to remain positive but it’s really getting us down. Has anyone successfully moved after several chain failures?

OP posts:
lightnesspixie · 13/04/2025 12:43

hopeful bump

OP posts:
thejadefish · 13/04/2025 12:53

I've not experienced this myself (we've only just gone on the market) but my boss did. She went on the market in or about 2020 I think and her sale/purchases kept falling through (4 or 5 I think?) it took a few years I'm sorry to say but she got there in the end! Best of luck x

Bluevelvetsofa · 13/04/2025 13:24

Having recently moved and had a sale fall through after a long time, close to exchange, I have nothing but sympathy for you. Collapse after exchange must be utterly devastating. Were there financial penalties for the people who collapsed the chain? You assume that, having exchanged, things are pretty much cut and dried.

I’m not surprised you’re losing the will after so many disappointments. It’s such a rubbish system in England. Is there any way you can sell, rent, then look for your next home? It won’t prevent a chain breaking per se, but might shorten it and reduce some of the stress. Then you’re in a good position for the onward purchase.

House buying and selling is stupidly stressful and much depends on the effectiveness of estate agents and solicitors.

lightnesspixie · 13/04/2025 17:59

@bluevelvetsofawe would indeed consider renting. The issue though each time has been beneath us in the chain so haven’t got to the point of actually being able to sell. And renting our current house out has been excluded. And yes the ppl who collapsed the chain lost their deposit and this was shared out among other chain members but did not recoup all expenses. It’s beyond soul-destroying.

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lightnesspixie · 13/04/2025 18:00

thejadefish · 13/04/2025 12:53

I've not experienced this myself (we've only just gone on the market) but my boss did. She went on the market in or about 2020 I think and her sale/purchases kept falling through (4 or 5 I think?) it took a few years I'm sorry to say but she got there in the end! Best of luck x

A few years 😳🤯

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thejadefish · 13/04/2025 18:42

lightnesspixie · 13/04/2025 18:00

A few years 😳🤯

I know, it blew my mind too! She first put her house on the market just before the first lockdown though it was a very unpredictable time. How she kept her sanity I don't know!

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