With the start of 2026 around the corner, many homeowners will be gearing up to get their homes ready for market and listed in time for the busy springtime sales period. First-time buyers will also be keeping an eye on any early year deals to snap up and realising their property ownership ambitions.
To help home buyers and sellers avoid the stress of property chain pain, Ryan Etchells, chief commercial officer at specialist lender Together, shares his five top tips:
1. Set out timelines early on
Ahead of getting your property listed for sale, it’s well worth agreeing an ideal timeframe with all parties, including the estate agents. This will be the best way to help keep the process moving and have something for all to work towards.
To help minimise any delays, it’s key that you’re fully aware of any defects or structural flaws in your property, as it may push back timings following any surveys the buyer requests. Any shocks uncovered while a chain is in process can fracture the link prompting mortgage applications to be extended or even lead to buyers pulling out of the purchase altogether.
2. Get your paperwork in order
Time spent in property chains can be lengthy with two fifths of Brits held up for two to six months. This makes it imperative to be quick off the mark with paperwork and any documentation requests which come through to keep the chain moving without delay.
Be sure to stay in regular communication with estate agents and solicitors and respond promptly to things such as surveys. Making sure your mortgage application is progressing smoothly through approaching a lender that can support your circumstances could also help you avoid any unnecessary delays.
3. Look to complete your sale and rent
If the purchase of your new property has fallen through or is simply taking too long and you risk losing the buyers for your existing home, you may wish to think about completing the sale on your current home and moving into rented accommodation for a short period.
There are a number of benefits to this. First, you’ll have the cash available to move quickly when you do find the home of your dreams. Plus, you’ll be an attractive prospect when you put in an offer, as you’re ready to move when the vendor is.
4. Consider a bridging loan
If you’ve had a buyer pull out and fear you may lose your dream home due to issues with timings, you could try a bridging loan. These secured loans typically last up to 12 months and allow you to borrow the money you need to buy your new home quickly, while you wait for the sale of your current home to come in, providing additional breathing space to secure an agreeable price.
As the loan typically lasts only 12 months, it’s important that you know how you’ll be able to pay it back. If you can’t repay the loan within the agreed term, you may have to pay additional late fees and your property could also be at risk.
5. Seek professional advice
Naturally, circumstances on housing chains vary on a case-by-case basis, and due to the number of parties involved, can change quickly. If you find yourself in a sleep-loss situation, or feel that the process is taking too long or simply, the best avenue before taking any action is to speak to a professional.
This could be in the form of a broker, property solicitor, or a specialist lender, who can lay out which options are open to you from a financial perspective.
