How long for a chain to fully form

[HavenSprings]

So, it looks like I've had an offer accepted two weekends ago and, after the initial documents exchange, am now wondering: what now? There will be a chain, our vendor needs to secure a place now that they are proceedable. So, just checking with you all and getting an average from your experiences: how long did it take for your chain to form before you could proceed with actual searches, surveys, enquires, exchanges and completion? And how long did the chain end up being?

It could be absolutely any length of time!

My DS put an offer in on a house in Mid September. He's a first time buyer. The vendor is moving in with someone else, so no chain at all. The very experienced mortgage advisor apparently said "we'll try and get you in for Christmas!" That's 3 months with no chain at all!

We offered on our purchase in December (no sale). Our vendors found something in late February. Their vendors then bought a new build off plan so we all moved last week. Sorry- probably not what you wanted to hear!

That's exactly what I was looking for! Real experiences with chains and timelines. Thanks. I'm already in the mindset for 8-10 months as worst case scenario so that's accounted for. Let's wait and see if there's a new worst-worst case scenario and then I'll need to revise 😂

DS sold to 1st time buyers, he purchased off a lady who would be end of chain. Took 19 weeks from offer to move.

Our timeline was:
Sold our house to FTBs early Feb
Offer accepted on our onward a week later
Chain completed early March - our seller bought an empty property
We moved mid July

19 weeks / 5 months sounds better already! Thank you for sharing your experiences 😊

First time buyers and cash buyers make a huge difference. Short chains make a huge difference. Offer to completion on DMs bungalow was 9 weeks. No onward chain and cash buyer. The more in the chain, the more there is to go wrong.