It’s been a full year since we first placed our home on the market. To our surprise, it sold within just two days, and with multiple offers on the table. We had hoped that this was a sign of things to come—swift, smooth, and straightforward. In truth, that was where the ease ended.
Since then, we’ve experienced just about every setback the UK housing market can throw at a seller. We are now on our third buyer. Yes—third.
Buyer One: A Lesson in Disappointment
Our first buyer, as it turned out, was not acting in good faith. We were given reassurances that their sale was progressing, their finances were in order, and that everything was proceeding as planned. Sadly, these turned out to be untruths. The week we were due to exchange contracts, they suddenly withdrew—having apparently found “something more suitable.” It’s difficult to understand how some people can so casually disrupt the lives of others.
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| We will miss this garden that we have so lovingly built! |
Buyer Two: A Heartfelt Attempt
Back on the market we went—and again, the house sold in a few days. We’re fortunate that our home has always attracted interest; it’s in a good location and offers lovely spaces. Our second buyer was a kind couple, genuinely lovely, but they faced repeated setbacks with the sale of their own property. After several failed attempts, the stress became too much for them, and they made the understandable decision to withdraw entirely from the process.
By this point, seven months had passed since we first accepted an offer. Our own intended purchase understandably could wait no longer and returned their home to the market.
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| This is a bumper year for our little apple tree. If we have not completed on our sale by September, we will be harvesting these apples! |
Buyer Three: Hope With Caution
And so, the house went back on the market once more—and again, sold within days. We were careful this time, choosing buyers who had already sold their property and appeared to be progressing steadily. They are, again, a lovely couple, but complications in their chain have brought fresh delays. We are reassured each week that completion is on track for the end of August—but after the year we've had, I take such assurances with a pinch of salt.
What we’ve come to realise is that throughout this process, buyers have not always been transparent about the challenges they are facing. We’ve often found out about issues far too late, when momentum has made it difficult to pause or pivot. It's disheartening. I find it very difficult to reconcile with the idea of withholding truth to preserve a transaction.
A Change of Direction
A year of living in limbo—of half-packed boxes, cleaned cupboards, and cautious hope—has finally taken its toll. We need to move forward.
So we are.
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| The new house - we are looking forward to making it our family home. |
We’ve found a lovely house in the countryside to rent—a peaceful, pretty place that feels just right. By removing ourselves from the chain, we can hopefully make the next step a little simpler. When the time is right, we’ll be in a position to buy again, this time as cash buyers, and with far less uncertainty surrounding us.
We had been due to move at the end of May, with all parties in agreement, but then the bottom of the chain collapsed again. That was the final straw. Thankfully, the owners of our new rental home were happy to delay our move-in, and it suited their needs too.
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| We have a wonderful new garden to look after! |
Now, in just under two weeks, we’ll be making our move—this time for real. I’m grateful we’ll be able to settle in without the exhausting pressure of a same-day exchange and completion. Anyone who has experienced that will know the near-impossible task of handing over a clean, tidy house while simultaneously moving your worldly belongings into a new one.
This past year has revealed just how deeply flawed the UK’s house buying and selling system really is. It’s costly, fragile, and frankly, in desperate need of reform. Too much is left to chance and goodwill—both of which can run out quickly in a long chain.
But in spite of everything, I’m choosing to look forward. A new chapter is beginning, and I pray it will be marked by peace, stability, and new rhythms of home.
