Selling a house should be exciting. A fresh start, new adventures, perhaps even finally escaping that neighbour who insists on mowing the lawn at 7am every Sunday.
But according to recent figures from the Open Property Data Association, moving home is increasingly becoming Britain’s favourite form of emotional endurance training.
Their survey of 5,000 recent home movers found that a staggering 58% of property transactions fall through after an offer has been accepted. That’s right — more than half of sales collapse somewhere between “Congratulations!” and “Here are the keys.”
Thankfully, here at Barbers, our current fall-through rate is way below this % quoted above, which in the current market feels a bit like being the healthiest patient in A&E.
The Great British Moving Circus
The average failed transaction costs buyers and sellers around £2,830 in wasted legal fees, surveys, mortgage costs and other expenses.
And that’s before we even discuss the emotional damage.
The average failed sale wastes around three months, with one in six transactions collapsing after four months and one in ten after five months or more.
Five months!
That’s long enough to:
- Learn conversational Italian
- Watch every episode of Location, Location, Location
- Or completely redecorate a property you no longer want to buy
Unsurprisingly, 43% of people surveyed said emotional stress was the biggest impact, while 41% said their plans were significantly delayed.
Among movers aged 55 and over, nearly 60% reported high levels of stress — which is understandable when you’ve already packed the loft twice and can no longer find the kettle.
So Why Do Sales Fall Through?
In many cases, the culprit is paperwork.
Not glamorous, admittedly, but missing documentation can stop a sale faster than discovering Japanese knotweed and a family of badgers in the garden.
That’s why Propertymark is urging sellers to make sure their property is “Sale-Ready” before it even goes on the market.
At Barbers, we couldn’t agree more.
What Does “Sale-Ready” Actually Mean?
It means gathering together important documents before a buyer’s solicitor starts asking awkward questions.
These include:
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) — legally required, and we can organise these for you
- Planning permissions and Building Regulation approvals for extensions or alterations
- FENSA certificates for replacement windows
- Boiler and heating documentation
- Leasehold information where applicable
- Guarantees and warranties for any works carried out
Think of it as preparing for a first date:
You can technically turn up without preparation… but it rarely ends well.
The Property Information Questionnaire — Not Quite as Scary as It Sounds
Around 95% of Barbers sellers complete Propertymark’s Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ).
Now, we know the words “Property Information Questionnaire” don’t exactly scream excitement. Nobody has ever said:
“Fantastic! A 14-page compliance document!”
But the PIQ is genuinely one of the best tools available for reducing fall-throughs.
It helps identify potential issues early, highlights missing paperwork and allows conveyancers to deal with problems before they become full-blown disasters halfway through the transaction.
We are also working closely with our recommended solicitors to reduce unnecessary enquiries, speed up communication and shorten the time between offer and completion.
Because nobody enjoys hearing the phrase:
“We’re just waiting for one final enquiry…”
Especially when they’ve heard it every week since February.
Price Isn’t Everything
Propertymark also reminds sellers that the highest offer is not always the best offer.
A buyer with finance arranged, a good solicitor and no complicated chain can often be far safer than someone offering slightly more but operating with the organisational skills of a shopping trolley.
As experienced Propertymark members, we always advise our clients to consider the full picture — not just the headline number.
Preparation = Less Stress
Propertymark Chief Executive Nathan Emerson summed it up perfectly:
“A successful move relies on preparation, communication and transparency.”
Which, coincidentally, is also excellent marriage advice.
The earlier information is gathered, the quicker problems can be solved and the less likely your dream move turns into six months of paperwork, stress and conversations beginning with:
“You’re not going to believe what the solicitor has asked for now…”
At Barbers, we are committed to helping sellers prepare properly from day one, reducing delays and giving transactions the best possible chance of reaching completion smoothly.
Because moving home is stressful enough without discovering you need a missing Building Regulations certificate from 1997.
And if we can save you a few grey hairs along the way, even better.
In-house conveyancing with Barbers
You often hear people talking about the stress of moving home. With so much to organise, it's hardly surprising. You'll need a reliable, local solicitor for your conveyancing – and we know just the team!
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