My House Sale Fell Through. What Now?

From hope to heartbreak

Selling a house is a journey full of emotions, memories and dreams. From the moment you decide to sell your home, the rollercoaster begins. There’s the anticipation of moving to a new place, the hope that the right buyer will come along, the relief and thrill when an offer finally comes through — the finish line is in sight! 

And then, out of nowhere, the unthinkable happens. Your house sale falls through.

It’s as if the rug has been pulled out from under you. One moment you’re picturing your new life, making plans, and the next, everything comes crashing down. It feels like all your efforts have been in vain, and the future you were so close to touching suddenly feels out of reach.

But amid the frustration and uncertainty, there is still hope. The journey may have taken an unexpected turn, but it doesn’t have to end here. This setback doesn’t define your future — even if your house sale fell through last-minute.

Sadly, this is an event that befalls 1 in 4 sellers according to the most recent figures. At SellHouseFast.co.uk, we understand the ups and downs that comes with selling a house, especially when things don’t go as planned. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners navigate the aftermath of a fallen-through sale, and even turn it to their advantage.

Now, we’ve put our wisdom and experience into this guide to help you take control in the midst of this challenging event.

Why would a house sale fall through?

When a house sale falls through, it’s often because of things beyond your control. But knowing the  common causes helps you anticipate potential issues — and sometimes you can take steps to avoid them.

Buyer’s cold feet

It’s not uncommon for buyers to get cold feet, especially after the initial excitement of making an offer. They might rethink their decision due to personal circumstances, whether it’s a change in job, health concerns or any other big changes. 

Sometimes, it’s simply due to the buyers having reflected fully on whether the property truly fits their needs, and concluding that it doesn’t. It could also be down to money worries, due to spiralling costs over the past few years.

Whatever the reasons, cold feet can leave sellers in a tough spot, particularly if the withdrawal happens at the last minute.

Financing or survey issues

A mortgage agreement in principle is one thing; getting the final approval is another. This is why financing issues is another common reason why house sales fall through. Reasons for this turn of events include the lender uncovering issues during the underwriting process, or surveys revealing problems with the property — such as structural damage or damp. 

As a result, the buyer can be left with no choice but to pull out or renegotiate the offer.

Chain breakdown

Property chains are notoriously fragile, and they’re responsible for 1 in 5 sales that fall through. 

It’s a domino effect: If one link in the chain breaks — maybe it’s down to another buyer’s sale falling through, or their mortgage being delayed — it can cause multiple transactions to collapse. Being part of a chain can be particularly stressful, as you’re reliant on other people’s transactions progressing smoothly.

Gazumping

Gazumping — when a seller accepts a higher offer from another buyer after already agreeing to sell to someone else — is a particularly unpleasant way to have a house sale fall through. As of June 2024 a staggering 37% of buyers are now being gazumped, up 6% in the last two years. 

It’s legal in the UK, but it’s frowned upon as it can leave the original buyer feeling blindsided and result in a broken sale. As a seller, it might seem like a better deal, but it means the whole process starts again, and it also introduces the risk of the new buyer’s offer falling through.

Gazundering

On the flip side, gazundering happens when a buyer reduces their offer just before the exchange of contracts, knowing the seller might feel pressured to accept rather than lose the sale. 31% of UK sellers over the second half of 2023 were victims of gazundering.

The last-minute nature of this move is particularly stressful for the seller — and that’s the point. It puts pressure on the seller to say yes to the new lower price, especially if they’ve already made commitments based on the original offer.

How can I stop my house sale falling through?

Let’s be real, you can’t control every aspect of the journey when you sell your home. Any process that involves other people means relying on others’ decisions — and sometimes their strange whims. However, there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of your house sale falling through.

Choose serious buyers

We know, you’d never choose an un-serious buyer, at least not on purpose. But wanting to buy a house isn’t the same thing as being in a great position to buy a house. So, one way to reduce the chances of a sale collapsing is to focus on buyers in a strong position.

Look for buyers who have their financing in order for starters. If they’re not part of a complex chain, this means they’re more likely to see the sale through. 

Also, it’s not unreasonable to request proof of funds or a mortgage agreement in principle before accepting an offer.

Be transparent about the property’s condition

It’s tempting to gloss over a few less appealing features or a few flaws to secure a quick house sale or a better price, but remember: surprises uncovered during a survey can derail a sale. 

To avoid this risk, be upfront about any known issues with the property. You can even get a pre-sale survey done. This proactive step means you can address potential problems before they scare off buyers, or at the very least ensure the buyers are making any steps with their eyes wide open.

Consider a quick house sale company

If you’re looking to avoid the traditional market’s pitfalls, companies that buy houses — like SellHouseFast.co.uk — can offer a guaranteed, fast, fuss-free sale.

We buy any house UK-wide, regardless of its condition, and provide a smooth, efficient, free process that can be wrapped up in a timeframe that suits you. This option eliminates the nail-biting uncertainty of relying on traditional buyers and avoids the risks of cold feet, a broken chain, gazumping or gazundering.

What are my options if my house sale fell through?

If your house sale has fallen through, take heart: you still have options. Here are some steps you can take to get back on track and sell your house. Let’s weigh up your choices — the right one for you depends on your situation and priorities.

Re-list your property

Re-listing your property on the market is probably what comes to mind once you’ve taken in the news of a house sale falling through. It often seems like the most straightforward option — to do what you’ve done before, again. 

However, it’s essential to address any issues that caused the previous sale to fall through, whether it’s improving the property’s condition, adjusting the price or switching your estate agent. If you decide on this option, brace yourself for a potentially longer sale process, especially if the property had already been on the market for a while.

Explore a cash sale

If time is of the essence, consider selling your house for cash to a home-buying company like SellHouseFast.co.uk. This option is ideal if you need to sell your house quickly and without the risk of the sale falling through again. It’s also perfect if you’re done with the uncertainty of waiting around for another buyer and if you want to eliminate the risk of the sale falling through again.

With our service, you can sell your house fast, with no fees, giving you peace of mind and financial security.

Negotiate with the original buyer

If your sale fell through due to financing or survey issues, think about negotiating with the original buyer — especially if the reason for the fall-through isn’t to do with them. You probably won’t feel like it, but it’s worth seeing if there’s a way to salvage the sale. 

For instance, you could agree to lower the price or make a pivotal repair to the property. While it won’t  guarantee the sale will go through, it can be a quicker resolution than finding a brand new buyer.

Do I need to pay my solicitors if my house sale fell through?

One of the most frustrating aspects of a house sale falling through is the potential financial fallout. 

Whether you’ll still need to pay your solicitor’s fees if the sale doesn’t complete depends on your solicitor’s terms and conditions.

Most solicitors charge for the work they’ve completed up to the point the sale falls through, so you may still incur some costs. However, some solicitors offer a “no sale, no fee” arrangement, meaning you won’t have to pay legal fees if the sale doesn’t go ahead. 

Ideally, it’s good to discuss this ahead of time with your solicitor before signing up with them.

All is not lost — you can still sell your home

Remember, every journey has its bumps along the way, and some journeys encounter full-on roadblocks. But with the right choices and guidance you can still reach your destination.

And if you’re looking for certainty and speed, SellHouseFast.co.uk is here to help.

SellHouseFast offers a personalised, transparent service that’s tailored to your needs, allowing you to sell your house quickly and with confidence. Whether you’re dealing with a broken chain, gazumping or just want to avoid the uncertainty of the traditional market, we’re ready to provide a fast, reliable solution.

Take the first step towards a stress-free sale today. If your house sale has fallen through and you need to sell your property fast, contact us now to get your free cash offer.