To accept CASH vs MORTGAGE

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I am selling my home to relocate near my son. We have found where we want to move to.

I have two offers this week after a series of price reductions.
After 0 since marketing it in November.

1st Offer = 769,000. Mortgaged, but complete chain.
2nd Offer = 760,000, but cash and willing to exchange asap. 0 chain.

Both final offers. AIBU to accept the 2nd offer?

id go for the second offer if 760 as there’s no chain

Yes, absolutely go for cash (but get your estate agent/solicitor to check it really is cash in the bank).

Ask estate agent for proof of funds for the cash buyer before declining the other offer.

Insist on proof of funds but 💯 cash buyer

I'd take it on the basis of there being no chain, generally it's the chain that mucks things up rather than the mortgage process. It seems with cash buyers it's rarely as simple as, they have the cash sitting in the bank ready to go so I'd get the agent to confirm how readily available the cash actually is.

Would check their definition of "cash buyer". We had one for our house who thought it just meant no mortgage needed. They still had a house to sell. Exchange ASAP became "our sale fell through, so can't exchange yet". Would request your solicitor gets proof of banked funds from their solicitor.
People lie.

Go for the one with no chain - our chain just broke down and it's a real pain

I would be more tempted to accept mortgage offer. Cash can just walk away and unless you check really carefully there may be other issues like a chain you were unaware of. Mortgage offer will be more invested and won't want chain to fall through

I forgot to state that proof of cash was given. My EA was satisfied they were genuine and have nothing to sell.

I'd go for the lower offer but insist the estate agent sees proof of all the cash first. Often "cash" buyers turn out to be "just need to sell three buy to lets or get a mortgage" buyers.

It would be the No chain that would swing it for me at the moment. So many houses coming back on the market round my way at the moment because chains are falling apart.

Be aware that we are in a downward swing in the housing market and that cash buyers hold power. It is really good that you have proof of cash, but hold fast for the amount stated... it can be annoying to take a lower offer only to get to exchange and it suddenly becomes 20, 30, 40k less.